MSM 632: AI for the IEP

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about AI, summer, and more. Dave has a phenomenal section on phenomena. 

Jokes:  

I got an A on my origami assignment when I turned my paper into my teacher


The value in origami is in creasing.


Odorless perfumes are non-scents.


Imagine the self control required to work at a bubble wrap factory …


I had a dream where I weighed less than a thousandth of a gram.

  • I was like 0mg.

If you’re struggling to think of what to get someone for Christmas. Get them a fridge and watch their face light up when they open it.


It’s kind of weird that “dial it in” and “phone it in” mean nearly opposite things.


I had an operation on my funny bone today.

  • The doctor said I will be in stitches for two weeks.

To be Frank, I’d have to change my name.


Picture of Robin Williams with the text "People don't fake depression, they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind."

Text: "Free air guitars, please take one." written on a wooden fence in front of empty bike racks.

Rare photo of a roundabout reproducing through mitosis.

Picture of roadway where the road is shaped like a figure eight minus the connection in the middle.

Middle School Science Minute  

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

K12Science Podcast:  Phenomena in the Classroom

I was recently reading the July-August 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association.

In this issue, I read an article entitled “Phenomena in the Classroom,” written by Patty McGinnis.  

An engaging phenomena is determined more by how the students generate compelling lines of inquiry that create real opportunities for learning.  Paul Anderson’s “Wonder of Science” website has an extensive list of phenomena organized by grade level and standard.  It is available at:

https://thewonderofscience.com/phenomenal

http://k12science.net/phenomena-in-the-classroom/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Planning Parent Contacts
    • Keeping Track of Ideas
    • Resources
  • Time for?
    • Pi Time
    • Curriculum Time
    • Oracle of Ancient Civ
    • Independent Study
  • Student Access to Book Material Online

The Social Web

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

I’m coming (back) to Scotland for some of the final dates of my tour. I will definitely be mentioning some of my favourites from the Scots dictionary, including ‘tartling’: hesitating when introducing someone because you’ve completely forgotten their name.  Word of the day is ‘willanthropy’: the act of leaving a gift, however small, to a charity in your will.  

BigBlueButton  @bigbluebutton

Yes, we are integrating H5P into BigBlueButton. Why? Because the goal of the virtual classroom is not to meet, it is to learn. H5P extends our built-in tools for active learning and live analytics to ensure every student learns.  @H5PTechnology  #edtech

Kris Kashtanova  @icreatelife

This is another use of AI for good. Steve Gleason is a football legend and an ALS activist. He is using AI (Adobe Firefly) with eye tracking to create images from his pre-diagnosis artwork. ALS causes loss of muscle control, so AI is a way for Steve to make art.

Trending:  Katato – a loud annoying person with a high pitched voice that can’t take a hint.  

Resources:  

AXIS The Culture Translator

Really Anxious

What it is: Lenore Skenazy, founder of the LetGrow project, makes an argument that smartphones are “trust-blockers” for parents.

Why it’s worth thinking about: There’s a lot of discussion around how smartphones can shape child development in unhealthy ways. (So much discussion, in fact, that Axis just created a whole free toolkit breaking down everything you need to know before you give your son or daughter a phone—check it out!) But there hasn’t been as much talk about how much parents have grown accustomed, and maybe a little bit addicted, to being able to call their kids at any time, track their movements, and send them a heart-eyes emoji whenever they feel like it. Parents are relying on phones more and more as a parenting tool, but Skenazy wonders if this constant communication only serves to facilitate these parents’ own neuroses.

New Teachers

https://www.middleweb.com/51048/25-of-our-best-posts-for-new-ms-teachers/

Web Spotlight: 

Sydney Letter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgtHJKn0Mck&list=TLGGqWOPRo8tEqMyNzA3MjAyNA

Random Thoughts . . .  

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