UCET 2014

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Do you want a tech tip, trick, or tool to enhance your teaching of Social Studies? This presentation will introduce you to a variety of such tips, tricks, and tools, such as online interactive history games, web sites, and other technology tools that will engage your students in history, government, geography, and culture. This session will be most beneficial for 5th – 12th grade teachers and will have a primary focus on U.S. History/Geography and World History/Geography, although all Social Studies teachers can benefit from the ideas and resources presented.

You will learn how to access “Primary Sources” from online sites, including the Library of Congress, and be given strategies for using them frequently in your lessons. In addition, you will be shown how to access lesson plans, teaching materials, and activities available for teachers and students, from a variety of other sites. Two such sites include Colonial Williamsburg (U.S. History), and the Goethe Institute (the geography, history, economy, and culture of Germany). Ideas on incorporating resources and materials into your Social Studies classes from these sites will be shared. The presenters will also identify professional learning and study opportunities available for you, as teachers, which will enhance and enrich both your learning, and that of your students.

Online mathematics and science simulations can help bridge the knowing-doing gap that occurs when districts implement the common core and NGSS. These simulations are based on research-proven instructional strategies that help students of all levels develop conceptual understanding in mathematics and science. In classrooms that resemble mathematics and science laboratories, students manipulate key variables, generate and test hypothesis, and engage in extensive “what-if” experimentation. As a result, they become able to think and reason at the top tears of Blooms Taxonomy. Even students who struggle with abstract concepts are able to “see” a concrete representation and make the transition from concrete to abstract thinking and reasoning successfully. Teachers can supplement and enhance instruction with powerful interactive visualizations of concepts.

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Did you get a chance to participate in the Hour of Code during CSedweek in December? Code.org put on a world wide event to get students excited about Computer Science and coding. In just one week they had over 17 million people learn to code and over 585 million lines of code written by students.

Do you want to get in on the 21st century skill that will get all of your students interested and motivated to think critically, problem solve and learn to create, not just consume?

Then you need to come learn about the Free resources code.org is offering to teachers to help them get on their way to teaching their students about Computer Science, throught incentives for teachers (free resources and up to $1,000 in donations at Donorschoose), for students (fun interactive lessons and activities and $10 gift cards for online resources).

Presentation Site
Did you get a chance to participate in the Hour of Code during CSedweek in December? Code.org put on a world wide event to get students excited about Computer Science and coding. In just one week they had over 17 million people learn to code and over 585 million lines of code written by students.

Do you want to get in on the 21st century skill that will get all of your students interested and motivated to think critically, problem solve and learn to create, not just consume?

Then you need to come learn about the Free resources code.org is offering to teachers to help them get on their way to teaching their students about Computer Science, throught incentives for teachers (free resources and up to $1,000 in donations at Donorschoose), for students (fun interactive lessons and activities and $10 gift cards for online resources).

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Imagine 40,000 commercial flights per day soaring across United States airspace. Now that’s a pretty hefty real-world distance-rate-time problem! In this session you will learn how to use the context of air traffic control to transform your students’ ability to make sense of and solve distance-rate-time problems using basic middle school math. We will first use an engaging online simulator to model spacing conflicts between two to five airplanes. Then we will use sample material from the paper-and-pencil workbooks to learn how to apply proportional reasoning to solve each problem with strategic route and speed changes. By the end of the session, you will be able to help students mentally detect, analyze, and resolve air traffic conflicts and then communicate a solution that meets both time and spacing requirements. Products featured in this workshop will include the online air traffic control simulator, print-based workbooks, and supporting videos and animations. Participants will also be introduced to Sector 33, a learning enrichment mobile app that challenges students to apply what they have learned in a more game-like setting using their personal smartphone or tablet. All materials demonstrated in this session are free and readily available on the NASA Smart Skies website.

Can online games help students become better mathematicians? Evidence has shown that a program using the allure of challenging and exciting games can engage students in learning and motivate them to persevere. Programs that specifically adapt to individual student needs and deliver an optimized learning experience are particularly beneficial, with the rich data for teachers and administrators to monitor and support student progress. Learn more about this exciting new technology and how it’s helping students to gain essential math skills.

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Purpose games is a great way for teachers to create and use games that help students learn. Teachers can create or use already created maps, charts, anatomy, quizzes, or really anything you are teaching in a game format. For example if you are studying the United States you could have your students go online and play a game that tests their knowledge of the political and physical geography of the US. You could have your students focus on a specific region, or topic like capitals. Teachers can set up tournaments that allow students to play on another and determine a class champion

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We interact with them every day and everywhere. We get annoyed when they aren't fast enough and frantic when they don't work. We order our Pizza and our clothing on them, pay our bills, reserve library books and make medical appointments. They can tuck into our pockets and sit on our laps. They are frequently found in bed with our spouses. And yet, many of us have no idea how they work.
The key is in the secret code! Participants in this class will investigate and crack this secret code. As you progress, you will compose and exchange cryptic messages with your fellow cryptologists.
Finally, the clandestine location of a boundless treasure will be revealed. You and your fellows will have the key to a location where a treasure trove of coding adventures can be found. The wealth is so vast you will be able to share with your family, your students and other teachers. Don’t Miss Out! Secret Decoder Key included!

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Mobile devices and apps have exploded in popularity in the last few years. During the first hour of this workshop, come learn how to use a free online tool to make your own simple classroom app. In the second hour we'll focus on creating (non-profit) games and other interactives for the iPad.

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Have you ever wondered why Zombies walk the way they do? Well, somebody has to teach these walking dead to avoid hazards and walk with the dignity every Zombie desires. After all, their fashion sense and personal hygiene are beyond help.
Then there are the birds! They are angry. The birds are intent on pursuing those evil piggies. You can help. With a little work, you’ll teach those birds to avoid the TNT and get their birdie babies back home. All it takes is following and giving instructions. As teachers, you are already expert at that.
This class will introduce coding and the Hour Of Code. The Hour Of Code Website features brief statements from people like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and the inventors of Zynga and DropBox. Lesson plans, interactive coding games, and support materials are free, fun and educational. Coding teaches people to pause and think.
Take a break and challenge yourself to get those Zombies safely home! Certificates of Zombification will be awarded to all participants.