Building Learning Communities

How often do you leave a workshop or conference session brimming with ideas and anxious to put them into action? Bring your take-aways and join this “maker space” to design, develop and test-drive your ideas for lessons and activities. Members of the November Learning Team will be on hand to support efforts and share key strategies for transformative learning design. Question, reflect, revise and redesign to your heart’s content, knowing you’ll leave with your mind full and a set of activities planned for the  #1st5days…and beyond!

 

Join us in the Plaza Ballroom for BLC15 Maker Spaces! Check out one, or all of the following:

 

1. 3D Printing - Students model the hands on aspects of designing, creating and printing practical objects. With examples from a range of grade levels, attendees will use various devices to design models, render and print them. 
2. Robotic Telepresence - Attendees operate pre-built Lego Robotics using MIT-App Inventor coded controllers and compete with others in a Robot Battle Royale, all from a separate room using Hangouts for multiple camera views. Attendees also navigate an obstacle course with a Double Robot that we use for homebound students for additional telepresence experience.  youtube.com/watch?v=QmUtBk6lT18
3. Coding - Using platforms like Scratch, MIT App Inventor and other coding programs attendees will create apps and share them with other users. This can be combined with the Lego Robotics area to show the code created in action.  
4. Educational Breakout Room - Built on the concept of the popular activity centers where groups of attendees complete an educational puzzle The tasks range from solving mysteries, cracking codes and opening locks all in a set amount of time. The enterprise encourages teamwork, lateral thinking and effective communication all while having a great time!

 

 

Bring your iPad charged and ready to go to this hands-on sharing session! Kathy will first showcase a few of her favorite iPad apps for creation (that don’t usually show up on the “top 10” lists) and share ways students can use them to create products and showcase mastery of content.
You will have a chance to download one as we do a short “assessment” creation, and then the ball is in your court! Please come prepared with an app and an idea or story of how it can be used in the classroom. If you have a completed student project made with the app, bring that along to share, too!
Kathy will have both a 30-pin VGA adapter and a Lightning VGA adapter so you can share directly from your iPad 2 or newer.

Join us to #XploreBosBLC while learning about the potential of augmented reality and geocaching. This session will give choice over pace and path as we embark on a tour of local historical and pop culture landmarks. Participants can choose to stay with guides or do a self-paced tour and stay connected with the group by sharing ideas, photos and videos online.

Requirements:
Walking shoes - We will be covering approximately 2 miles so please wear comfortable shoes!

Participants also need an Apple or Droid phone or tablet with wireless service and the following free apps installed prior:

• Aurasma
• Geocaching app
• Instagram

Meet in the Arlington Room for 5 minutes to do a very quick intro to augmented reality and geocaching.

Handouts with directions distributed and extras left behind for those whose arrive late.  

Handout includes instructions that includes the hint for the first location, ways to customize your journey and a link to a community space where you can share photos, videos and ideas from the journey.

Location #1 - Boston Common (historical)
Location #2 - Original Cheers to take pictures (pop culture; www.cheersboston.com)
Location #3 - Boston Public Gardens

People don't need to head back to the hotel with the group. You are welcome to stay out and grab dinner, or just enjoy Boston!

There will be additional "Auras" around town for people to find on their own time if they like.

Excited about trying Twitter but not sure how to get started?  Let us help you!  At the Twitter workshop, Laura Richardson and Jessica Caviness will work with you to set up your account, write a profile, and start following others…all before you leave BLC15.  You’ll leave this workshop ready to integrate Twitter into your classroom and school with confidence!

Interested in some hands-on playing with animation using super simple “appsmashing”? Amy Burvall will take you through the process of creating a basic animation with Apple Keynote using original hand-drawn or appropriated images. Participants will also explore using the Reflector app, Paper by 53 drawing app, and an Apple laptop/ iMovie to create “speedsketch” animations. It is helpful if participants have already downloaded Keynote, Paper by 53 and the Reflector app. Come play in the sandbox!