October 7, 2023

MSM 599: Ipsedixitist, Peninkulma

Summary:

Troy and Shawn discuss AI quite a bit. We also have some fun with words and kids. Dave swings in with playground physics.

Jokes:

If someone says, “A penny for your thoughts” and you put your two cents in, they’ve made a profit.

The carpenter built a $1,000 door and made a grand entrance.

Good cat names:

Astrophe
Aclysm
Aract
Erpillar

A duel between three people is called a truel.

“You have cute knuckles” is a rather backhanded compliment.

The word “gullible” upside down looks like a cat.

There was something really odd about that “Do Not Touch” sign.

But I can’t put my finger on it.

Q: How do you measure the weight of crackers?

A: In grahams.

Remember — when you DO find that Genie and ask to be happy, you’ll soon find yourself working in a mine with height-challenged co-workers.

Gulliver was probably the greatest hero in classic literature..

But a handful of people might disagree.

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

Playground Physics

I was recently reading the July/August 2023 issue of “Connected Science Learning” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.

In this issue, I read an article entitled, “Innovative Technology Enhances Outdoor Learning Experiences with Playground Physics.” It was written by Michaela Labriole, Judith Hutton, Laycca Umer, and Kate Maschak.

Playground Physics is a free digital application and supplemental curriculum for grades 6-8 developed by the New York Hall of Science. You can learn more by visiting:

https://noticing.nysci.org/apps/playground-physics/

http://k12science.net/playground-physics/

Reports from the Front Lines

Monday
Testing
CSS fun

The Social Web

MagicSchool AI @magicschoolai

INCOMING: MagicSchool stealth launch today! Retweet and comment “I want early access ” and we’ll DM you a special link to see the latest MagicSchool drop before it’s announced. #magicschoolai #teachersaremagic #stealthlaunch

Susie Dent @susie_dent

A reminder of the useful ‘ipsedixitist’ (19th century): one who firmly asserts that something is true because another person said so, with no other evidence to back it up.

Daniel Pink @DanielPink

“The courage to start. The discipline to focus. The confidence to figure it out. The patience to know progress is not always visible. The persistence to keep going, even on the bad days. That’s the formula.” — @shaneaparrish

LRT English @LRTenglish

The dream of allocated flats became a key part of life in Soviet-occupied Lithuania. But as the homes were dolled out on party instructions, this turned into an instrument of social control https://t.co/S826PmiQvS

Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder

Words for the Weekend

Kevin Honeycutt @kevinhoneycutt

My newest PDF classroom activity build is a space capsule! This one is designed to assemble with no glue or tape just scissors and ingenuity. Anyone want the file? Probably best grade 4-8.

Replying to

@Frideswidel

https://kevinhoneycutt.org/resources.html

I’m excited to see some kid-made versions and I want to collaborate with teachers to grow a list of learning extensions kids will love!

I never played football, my family couldn’t afford the shoes but I ended up coaching football!

I never played football, my family couldn’t afford the shoes but I ended up coaching football! pic.twitter.com/3u3LAMjvPy
— Kevin Honeycutt  (@kevinhoneycutt) October 7, 2023

Strategies:

Using AI to Write Lesson Plans

https://www.middleweb.com/49675/moving-forward-using-ai-in-my-classroom/

Resources:

TikTok Brain

TikTok’s mind-boggling popularity has led to growing interest in how the social media platform impacts the brain, especially in the kids and teens who populate the app. In addition to concerns about its effects on mental health, some early studies suggest it could be changing their attention spans.

TikTok has already made changes to help teens manage their time scrolling through videos. The platform does not allow push notifications after 9 pm for users ages 13 to 15. The platform also periodically creates videos to remind users to pause their scrolling, go outside, or have a snack.

While YouTube videos are usually longer, the platform introduced a feature called YouTube Shorts with content that maxes out at 60 seconds. Google, which owns Youtube, already has features to limit use for people under 18, such as turning off autoplay for kids and teens. Reminders to take a break or go to sleep are also on by default for users aged 13 to 17.

https://theweek.com/health-and-wellness/1025836/tiktok-brain-and-attention-spans

Great news — social media is falling apart

As people grow tired of toxic and addictive platforms that undermine real social connection, this new wave of social-focused upstarts could end up producing a healthier online environment.

https://www.businessinsider.com/social-media-splintering-new-less-toxic-era-meta-bluesky-twitter-2023-10

OpenCV

https://opencv.org/

MagicChart

Create bar charts using AI from a chart. What do they mean? Who knows?

Can be good for prompt writing (i.e. clear instructions).

https://www.magicslides.app/tools/magicchart

Demystifying AI

A FREE Workshop for Maine Educators

This free-to-attend, four-part AI panel series during the 2023-2024 school year comprises virtual events, each offering a deeper dive into AI in the classroom. MMSA will leverage existing partnerships with leading researchers in the field to bring this topic to life for educators.

All events to take place via Zoom, from 3:30 – 5:30 PM (EST).

https://sites.google.com/mmsa.org/demystifyingai/home