|
|
|
|
Super Early-Bird Registration Discount Now In-Effect!
Register now for the 5th Anniversary Constructing Modern Knowledge Institute - July 9-12, 2012 - and save $75. Discount ends December 1st.
|
|
|
|
|
Amazing Guest Speakers at CMK 2012
Constructing Modern Knowledge celebrates its fifth anniversary with the sort of provocative, creative and expert guest speakers that are part of our tradition. In addition to our world-class faculty of educational computing pioneers and master teachers, CMK 2012 features award-winning filmmaker and star of the HBO series, The Neistat Brothers, Casey Neistat; MIT Media Lab professor and inventor of Lilypad Arduino (wearable computers), Dr. Leah Beuchley; and Mark Frauenfelder, Editor-in-Chief of Make Magazine, Founder of Boingboing.net and author of Made By Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World. We are also returning to the world famous MIT Media Lab for a reception hosted by Dr. Beuchley!
An additional guest speaker will be announced shortly!
Learn more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Going Back Down Under!
I'm writing this newsletter from South Korea where I am in-residence for three weeks leading professional development, designing curriculum and mentoring in classrooms at a new international school with personal laptops from first grade on. I'm also working regularly this year as a S.T.E.M. & Professional Learning consultant to The Oaks School in Hollywood, California.
This March (mid-March) through early April, I plan to be in my second home, the Australia/New Zealand region. I welcome opportunities for speaking, consulting and professional development workshops. If your school, department or university is interested in working with me, email at gary@stager.org. Learn more about my services and qualifications here.
|
|
|
Less Us, More Them
This is the fifth installment in my series on effective project-based learning published by The Creative Educator magazine.
Let Them Eat Cell Phones
In this article, I explore the reasons why I think BYOD (Bring Your Own Device/Technology) policies are a terrible idea.
Senseless Acts of Homework
I wrote this article for The Huffington Post about the disgusting trend of outsourcing the over-stuffed curriculum to children.
Matt Damon Can't Save Us
An article I wrote from July's Save Our Schools March on Washington D.C.
Published Three Years Ago
I published this (IMHO) important article, “First We Kill the Teacher Unions” exactly three years ago today in The Huffington Post. I am enormously proud of the article and extremely sorry for being so prescient. After you read the text of that article below, you might take a look at my December 2008 article about Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Obama Practices Social Promotion. That’s the story that caused the CEO of Hooked-on-Phonics to issue global press releases condemning my comparison between their product, Secretary Duncan and ShamWow.
Wired Magazine Interviews Gary Stager about Khan Academy
Wired Magazine recently featured comments by me in a a love letter to Khan Academy. The best part of the article is that the noted learning theorist and plutocrat, Bill Gates, dismissed constructivism as "BS" (I wanted to use his term, but was afraid that mail filters would catch it). This confirms once and for all that Mr. Gates is not a misguided do-gooder, but a mean-spirited billionaire bully hell-bent on destroying public education. Calling constructivism "BS" is akin to climate science or evolution denial. Constructivism is a scientific theory, no matter what Gates thinks.
This article does a fine job of exploring why progressive educators are concerned about the Khan Craze. (I weigh-in) Sylvia Martinez's four-article series on Khan Academy is a must-read for all educators.
A Conversation Between Will Richardson & Gary Stager
On June 26th, The Constructivist Consortium hosted the Fifth Annual Constructivist Celebration prior to the ISTE Conference in Philadelphia.
The day culminated with a 37-minute conversation between Will Richardson and myself. I am most grateful to Will for his generosity and participation!
Watch the conversation here.
Tinkering Resources
Sylvia Martinez and I compiled an extensive collection of resources for educators and parents interested in learning through tinkering.
A Constructionism Primer
Want to learn more about the learning theory, constructionism? Here are some articles and videos to get you started!
Workshop Handout
Here is my current workshop/conference handout complete with loads of resources.
Online Book Store
The Constructivist Consortium Online Book Store continues to grow and feature lots of recommendations by category for creative educators and conscientious parents! Check it out!
Software Gary Recommends for Student Laptops
Here is my 1:1 toolbox.
 Working with the World's Greatest School Designers & Architects
Over the past several months, I've enjoyed the privilege of working with the world's finest school design and architecture firm, Fielding-Nair International on projects in Montana, Ohio and Alberta, Canada. It's a real joy working with a team of experts who listen to the communities in which they shape the future of education. The partners in the firm, Randy Fielding and Prakash Nair are the authors of a book I highly recommend, The Language of School Design: Design Patterns for 21st Century Schools.
Other Books I'm Enjoying
 Join me and my colleagues from the Constructivist Consortium for a very exciting new day-long preconference workshop at the NYSCATE Conference on November 20, 2011 in Rochester, NY!
Join colleagues for a day of hard fun and problem solving where computing meets tinkering and performance. A secret yet timeless curricular theme will be unveiled Iron Chef-style. Participants will work with a variety of software, hardware and found materials in four domains (virtual, tactile, audio and video) to express the theme in a personal fashion. The day's intensity will lead to impressive gains in skill development and a greater understanding of effective project-based learning. Computer programming, filmmaking, animation, audio production, robotics and engineering are all on the menu. Bring a laptop and camera or video camera We'll supply the rest. Invention is the mother of learning!
This workshop may also be offered as a school/district in-service event or at other conferences.
New Course for New University
I'm honored to teach the first course in a new online Masters in Educational Technology Program for Antioch University of New England. The school has a long tradition of progressive education. If you're interested in earning an MA, you should consider this program with intimate cohorts.
Follow My Hijinks on Twitter
@garystager
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connecting to Facebook
Constructing Modern Knowledge 2011 was bigger and better than ever! A record number of participants enjoyed four days of project development time, opportunities to interact with legendary educators, like Jonathan Kozol (above) and create wondrous inventions in their minds, screens and corridors of the hotel. We also toured Boston, attended a minor league baseball game, looked around the MIT Media Lab and a few of us even met Gene Simmons of KISS!
