MSM 644: AI Options for Teachers
Summary:
Shawn and Troy talk about AI in education, oven mitts on trees, and more. Dave reads science.
Jokes:
Where do birds meet for coffee?
- Nest Cafe
What do you get if you copy a mockingbird 1,999 times?
– 2 Kilo Mockingbird
I can’t find a German who knows the square root of 81.
Not to brag, but I fall between being a genius and a complete idiot.
I accidentally took my cats meds last night.
- Don’t ask meow.
Did you know you should always take an extra pair of pants golfing?
- Just in case you get a hole in one.
The average height of an Imperial Stormtrooper is about 5’11”, or 180cm for a Metric Stormtrooper.`
I’m ashamed to say I haven’t cleaned my mirror in years.
- It reflects badly on me.
My great grandmother used say that things were better in Russia before the revolution, but I think she was being Tsarcastic.
They say, “Dress for the job you want,” which is why I just shuffled past your cube in my bathrobe and slippers.
Have you heard about the owl sanctuary job opening? It’s all night shifts but they’re all a hoot over there.
I’m not a fan of the 1970s female solo singers because of how vain they are.
- They are a bunch of pre-Madonnas.
ME: I thought Tom Jones was a dead English singer, but he’s alive and Welsh.
WIFE: You write some awful jokes.
ME: It’s not unusual.
Middle School Science Minute
by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)
Reading in Science
k12science.net/reading-in-science
Recently, I had the pleasure of reading the November-December 2024 issue of “Science Scope,” a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association.
Within this issue, I encountered the “From the Editor’s Desk” section, authored by Patty McGinnis. Her article, titled “Reading in the Science Classroom,” provided insightful information on the science of reading.
Reading plays a pivotal role in all disciplines, and science is no exception. If you are seeking reading-based strategies to incorporate into your classroom, The California Academy of Sciences offers several before, during, and after active reading strategies that can assist students in comprehending science texts. To access these active reading strategies, kindly visit:
https://www.calacademy.org/educators/active-reading-strategies
To listen to this podcast, please visit:
https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/k12science/id/33998732
Reports from the Front Lines
- Grades
- Prohibited Technologies
- Oven Mitts on the Tree
- Spatial Images of YIG
- Diffit
- Self Paced Learning
The Social Web
Word of the day is ‘librocubicularist’ (early 20th century): someone who loves nothing better than reading in bed.
Etymology of the day is ‘jargon’, from the old French ‘jargoun’, meaning ‘the chattering of birds’.
AMLE relies on volunteer committee members to guide the work of our association. If you are passionate about middle level education and want to volunteer your time to advance your profession, consider applying for one of AMLE’s constituent committees! http://amle.org/get-involved
#NJAMLE2025 Annual Conference Call for Presenters! Interested in presenting at our annual conference on March 19th at Brookdale Community College? Submit a proposal here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1N-XYAZaNavbqBwDomDlL18wOXdYDD_oLFqn3SewfVsrnfQ/viewform Submissions due by December 15th!
This morning, I was walking down the street and I was hit by a violin, then a clarinet, and then a french horn! I think it was an orchestrated attack.
Hart Wilson @riversidehart.bsky.social
For my fellow Moodlers, a couple of presentations from the true US Moot held each summer In Helena, MT, the justly famous Mountain Moot. Here’s my first from 2022 when we were still on 3.11: My Favorite Moodle Hacks (presented to audible gasps and the odd “shut up!”) docs.google.com/presentation.
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AI Tool to Help your Students Understand Any Video, in any Language, in seconds!
Theodosis KarageorgakisAI for Teachers
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Wayin AI Link: https://youtu.be/qVJ7X_Z-YoI
Strategies:
Zoom In on Reflection in Math Problem Study
There are four seemingly simple but powerful steps in Word Problem Workshop that engage every learner in problem-solving.
Step 1: Launch – Prepares students to make sense of the problem and take the first step toward a solution.
Step 2: Grapple – Gives students time to dive into the problem, take risks, and learn through trial and error as they work through their solution pathway.
Step 3: Discuss – A student-led discussion where 2-3 selected students share their strategies, allowing everyone to consider different approaches.
Step 4: Reflect – Offers time to review the experience of solving and discussing, helping students solidify and apply their new learning to future problems.
https://www.middleweb.com/51542/zoom-in-on-reflection-in-math-problem-study/
Take good notes
Facts are important, but facts don’t create learning. Stories do.
A story fits into (and changes) our understanding of the world. Good teachers are storytellers, and storytellers are teachers.
Notes, then, aren’t recitations of facts. They’re story prompts. A good note reminds you of a story that you already understand.
https://seths.blog/2024/11/take-good-notes-2/
Using Student Discourse to Increase Engagement
…when students are compliant, it is because the adult is doing all the work or talking. A simple yet powerful strategy to move from compliance to engagement is discourse through turn & talk.
Student discourse, the interaction and exchange of ideas among students, is a vital component of learning. When students engage in meaningful conversations, they are not only actively constructing knowledge but also developing essential competencies for academic and personal success.
https://esheninger.blogspot.com/2024/11/using-student-discourse-to-increase.html
Resources:
NotebookLM on Project 2025
https://www.speedofcreativity.org/2024/11/28/notebooklm-on-project-2025/
Why School?
Twelve years ago (!), TED Conferences asked me to write an ebook about my thoughts on the state of education and schooling in that moment. It actually sold pretty well, (probably because the price was $2.95). Recently, TED took the book off of its list and offered me the copyright, which I gladly accepted.
That means I can share it freely…so for anyone interested, here you go!
Twelve years feels like a long time given how quickly things seem to be changing, but as I’ve reread what I wrote, there is so much that still holds true today. Back then, the emphasis on interrogating “why?” was on the affordances of the Web. Today, there are a whole bunch of things going on right now that should prompt us to ask the “Why School?” question with even more urgency. But it is interesting how the underlying systems, structures, and practices of school remain largely unchanged.
Anyway, if you’re looking for something to do…enjoy. Would love to hear your reactions.
AXIS: The Culture Translator
Australia Bans Social Media Under 13
What it is: Australia just passed a bill effectively banning social media for children under the age of 16.
Why it could just be the beginning: As we’ve previously reported, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt strongly argued in The Anxious Generation that age 16 should become the enforceable minimum age for social media use. As Reuters puts it, Australia’s ban “sets a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.”
MiddleWeb Article
The Six Characteristics of Effective Praise by Barara R. Blackburn
- Positive
- Reinforces High Expectations
- Appropriate
- Independence is Promoted
- Sincere
- Effort and Progress are Noted
Consider supporting MiddleWeb: https://middleweb.substack.com/about
Web Spotlight:
Bongo
https://www.puzzmo.com/puzzle/2024-12-07/bongo
Random Thoughts . . .
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