PD or PPD?

Who would have thought? Because of a volcanic eruption...in Iceland, there is a large scale grounding of airplanes in Europe and as a result many presenters aren't able to get themselves to schools around the world to deliver their allocated professional development (PD) sessions.

 Fig. 1 is an illustration of volcanic ash dispersion up to 20,000 ft, issued at
7 am on 18 April. Advisory charts are issued every six hours, for up to 18
hours ahead, by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre. Met Office, UK.

However, in this day and age of e-learning that really isn't a huge problem.  Presenters can upload their documents and powerpoints to a filesharing site, upload relevant videos to Youtube, use Skype to present their presentation, liaise with their clientale via email, take part in discussions with teachers using forums set up on a moodle page, upload information on their presentation to their webpage or a Wikispaces, type their thoughts into a blog, the list goes on... 

Is it really all that easy?  Well, being social animals, presentations given in person interspersed with humorous anecdotes are by far the most preferable option but I feel that where necessary, given the advances in technology it is possible for PD to be delivered via the internet.

Should PD be a "one size fits all"? I suspect not, what interests a bushy tailed, rose tinted spectacle wearing NQT (newly qualified teacher) may be of no interest (or use!) to one who has taught for 20 years or so.  I am very fortunate to be working in a school whereby we can choose our own PD.  Options are usually offered for thinking skills, literacy, ICT, assessment, managerial skills....the list goes on.  Some teachers actually design their own Personal Professional Development (PPD) session and meet with a colleague(s) to work on something that is advantageous to their curriculum area, and no, I don't mean just catching up on marking.

See below some e-learning suggestions that you may find useful.

Times Educational Supplement Connect, UK

"TES Connect is the central focus for the UK teaching community to share their ideas, thoughts and views outside the staffroom. It is the world's largest social network for a single profession and allows teachers to connect with other professionals to find and share their best classroom resources and advice."

Teachers Domain, USA

"Teachers’ Domain is an online library of more than 1,000 free media resources from the best in public television. These classroom resources, featuring media from NOVA, Frontline, Design Squad, American Experience, and other public broadcasting and content partners are easy to use and correlate to state and national standards."

Teachers TV, UK

"Through engaging videos, practical resources and an active online community, Teachers TV supports the professional development of anyone working in school, enabling them to widen their skills, develop their practice, and connect with others in the field."

Royal Society for Chemistry

"The RSC is the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a worldwide network of members and an international publishing business, our activities span education, conferences, science policy and the promotion of chemistry to the public."

Have a look through at the many blogs registered at the International Edubloggers Directory or Science Blogs and find one or ten that interest you and suit your professional development needs.

Whether you are a presenter or a teacher being presented too, avoid at all costs death by Powerpoint (yawn!)

and remember that more often than not the best PD occurs over a coffee in the staffroom or a few beers in the local pub.  Have a great week!

flash, bang, wow attention grabbers

Ask someone what they remember from their science lessons at school and more than likely they'll recall the time that the tiniest lump of sodium whizzed around in a trough of water or the loud bang of a hydrogen & oxygen balloon exploding or the fantastic effect of dry ice placed in a large beaker of water with a couple of squirts of universal indicator, and if they are the mischevious type (hey wasn't that all of us as teenagers!) using the bunsen flame to melt the top of their biros when their teacher wasn't looking!

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 Students learn when they are involved, engaged and in a safe environment with positive learning experiences.

"Tell me and I'll forget

Show me and I may remember
Involve me and I'll understand"
Chinese Proverb

Health and Safety in most countries have clamped down on safety in school laboratories, as a result we are really limited with what "out of the ordinary but relevant" experiments that we can do in the classroom.  See below some of my favourite flash, bang, wow attention grabbers.

I'd suggest letting your students carry out the experiments that are legal in your workplace, demo others if more appropriate while getting your students to video them using their mobile phones or laptops.  Students can then describe and explain the science concepts behind the experiments by adding text to images using Macromedia Fireworks, editing the videos in Microsoft Movie Maker and adding audio using Audacity or perhaps using Microsoft Powerpoint to type text alongside images or video clips.  I will post up another day with numerous recommended Science and Chemistry videos and interactive activities.

But first the disclaimer...I take absolutely no responsibility nor liability for death or injury that results to a person or persons who demonstrate or observe any of the reactions below or elsewhere on my blog pages.  You must consult the Health and Safety guidelines for your own workplace and country and carry out your own risk assessment before attempting any of the experiments.

Never, ever risk your students safety.

to view a full screen image of the video rightclick, watch on Youtube	click on the name to download a detailed teacher information sheet	here is a brief description and link for the demonstration/experiment
	Whoosh bottle	A fast, furious reaction links to: combusion, organic
	Firewriting	Very easy to do, good for all ages links to: combustion, redox
	Fake blood	A wonderful, dramatic effect links to: redox, respiratory system
	Supercooling water	Do, definitely try this at home links to: states of matter, heat changes
	Ammonia fountain	Produces a little pink fountain links to: acids & bases
	Errie green glow	be sure the lights are out, a lovely green glow is produced. links to: combustion, organic
	Howling jelly baby	highly dangerous reaction, should only be carried out by a qualified Chemist.  links to: redox, sound
	The copper cycle	What a neat little experiment, really fab! links to: redox, precipitation, neutralisation, thermal decomposition
	Thermite reaction	highly dangerous exothermic reaction, should only be carried out by a qualified Chemist links to: redox, reactivity series
	Making glass	colourful glass beads are produced links to: transition metals
	Rainbow tornado	rainbow colours with a tornado effect will certainly hold your students attention links to: acids & bases
	Balancing trick	Persevere with this one, it's worth it, also a great party trick.  links to: forces, moments
	Hot air balloon	This works brilliantly, launch well away from main roads. links: convection
	Elephants toothpaste	certainly has the wow factor! you could also use MnO2 as the catalyst links to: states of matter, rates of reactions
	Cannon fire	little snap, crackle and pops will go off  links to: redox
	Paper kettle	a fab experiment, boil water in your paper kettle with a bunsen, students won't believe that the paper doesn't go on fire! links to: convection
	Blue glow	turn the lights off and watch this illuminous blue glow, mesmerising! links to: rate of reaction
	Turning copper into gold	Act as an alchemist as you turn copper to silver (zinc coating) and then gold (brass) links to: redox, periodic table
	Coke fountain	stand well back, this is loads of fun, another one to try at home links to: forces
	The wine party	this demonstrates more redox reactions  links to: redox
	Burning money	a good attention grabber at the beginning of a topic links to: combustion, organic
	Slime	this is a fun experiment that can extend into an investigation as students carry out tests on their slime links to: organic, investigating
	Volcano reaction	highly dangerous redox reaction, should only be carried out by a qualified Chemist. links to: redox, geology
	Oscillating Briggs-Rauscher reaction	students observe not just 1 colour change but ongoing colour changes for a few minutes links to: observations, rate of reactions
	Matchstick rocket	another one to try at home, once perfected this works well links to: forces
	Rainbow flames	another good lesson starter links to: flames tests, observations
	Extremely cold reaction	amaze your students as you lift some wood with some cold water links to: endothermic reactions
	Vacuum bazooka	another projectile launcher to try at home links to: forces
	Black snake	this is a good into to carbon chemistry links to: elements & compounds, organic
	Polymer ball	a good activity at the end of a few lessons on polymers links: organic
	Ferrofluid	You absolutely must purchase this fluid online, has to be seen to be believed links to: elements, magnetism

For additional recommended reading see the following resources
Chris Schrempp, "Bangs, flashes and explosions" demonstration manual and dvd's
RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry), "Surely that's banned", 2005
CLEAPSS School Science Service, "We don't do that. it's not safe anymore" 2004
 Journal of Chemical Education, Chemistry comes alive

So without so much as a sizzle, pop or a bang I'm out of here for two weeks holidays in the sun and surf.  Happy Easter everyone! 

Superpower

"Twenty years ago, a quiet British engineer was on the cusp of changing the world.  Tim Berners-Lee was ironing out the wrinkles in a project that would become the "world wide web." As he readily admits, no-one could have predicted its significance."
Peter Horrocks, Director of BBC global news, 8th March 2010, Superpower blog

As the BBC Superpower Series draws to a close I'm taking a little time to reflect on the incredible experience that it has been.

Click on the image above to take you to the BBC Superpower Series which in their own words.

"Explores the extraordinary power of the internet"

This has been a phenomenal social experiment and experience.  Bloggers have interacted with other as they posted their opinions, personal stories from every corner of the world and in many different languages on The Superpower Blog. Tweeters twittered with their reviews of blogs, podcasts and videos on Superpower on Twitter. Many entries were received for the "My World" competition where entrants uploaded a 2 minute video clip with a glimpse of the world as they see it.

The winning video was "Wash, rinse and spin" by Frederico Teixeira de Sampayo from Spain.

The BBC has a phenomenal range of podcasts, they are edited superbly with extremely professional journalists who keep you engaged as they set the scene, give you a sense of actually "being there" and if needs be step in when debates between locals get a little heated.  But hey, don't take my word for it!  Download iTunes and subscribe to the BBC podcasts that you are interested in. 

They are all a little long for students to listen to in class but could be set as a homework task.  There are endless Science podcasts for different agencies, one of my favourites are the 60 second podcasts from Scientific American, they are short, sharp and to the point.  I have used them as a lesson starter or on occasions a guide to students before they are given the task of making their own podcast which they have edited using Audacity.  I'll blog about Science podcasts in more detail another day :-)

On their "World have your say" site, the BBC provides the platform for discussions that take place between people from all around the world, on topics that they want to talk about.  Some people blog, others tweet or contribute to the discussions be texting, phoning and emailing in when the programme is broadcast.

Here's a selection of the World Service podcasts, mainly documentaries that I've enjoyed listening to, they aren't all science related but general interest/social studies/business/studies/sports related.

The other internet
China patrols its cyberspace carefully. The government there closes down hundreds of websites each year and blocks access to many international websites.How do Chinese citizens get over the great firewall of China?

Internet Cafe Hobo - part 1
Nick Baker is on a mission to connect people, stories and places via internet cafe.

Internet Cafe Hobo - part 2
In Kenya and France he finds a remarkable story in Benin of a young man for whom a single search changed his life.

Internet Cafe Hobo - part 3
Nick find that internet cafes are not just a way to stay in contact with family, friends and football results.

The Crash: The bank that busted the world
What were the key moments that lead to financial meltdown, and what happened in the aftermath?  The first of a three-part series that looks closely at the turbulent events in the autumn of 2008.

The Crash: The age of risk
The second of this three-part series that examines the boom before the bust of 2008 looks at how are attitudes to risk and debt changed with disastrous consequences.

The Crash: Back from the brink
The third part of the BBC's definitive series on the banking crash tells the extraordinary story of how politicians reacted, and asks what has been learnt from the entire calamity.  Could it happen again?

Nina Robinson meets the community living in the shadow of the London 2012 Olympic games


Click on the links for archived BBC World Service broadcasts, Documentary podcasts, World have your say podcasts, Science podcasts, Outlook podcasts.

The quality of broadcasting and diverse mix of programmes from the BBC are among if not the very best in the world.  As regards creative, collaborative, learners...the BBC leads by example, now it's up to us to spread the word, get our students making more (educational!) use of social networking and using that newly found information to produce creative resources using the diverse range of multimedia tools that are available to them. 

Oh... and just for the record I have absolutely no business, personal or other connection with the BBC.

mobiles in the classroom

According to a Unicef, State of the children report, 2009 94% of teenagers in NZ own a mobile phone, according to a 15 year old intern at Morgan Stanley, UK 2009 99% of teenagers in the UK have a mobile phone and in the US it is 71% of teenagers according to Pew Internet & American Life Project 2009.  The age of mobile technology has well and truly gripped us, so to speak.

There I was taking a stroll through Victoria's Way in County Wicklow, Ireland a few months ago and was feeling very zen as I meandered amongst the Indian statues in Victor Langheld's Sculpture Park.  Victor or Victoria as he prefers to be known, left Dresden, Germany when he was 5, lived in India 20 years later and studied and practiced for many years before becoming a Buddist monk.  Victoria designed these remarkable sculptures and had them handcrafted in India before being shipped over to Ireland.

Much to my surprise, loe and behold, one sculpture known as the Dark night of the Soul and described as...

"This unique 14ft 6ins bronze is a copy of a 2ft stone Gandhara (roman provincial) period sculpture carved in the 1^st century AD in what is now Pakistan. It represents the future Buddha practicing severest suppression of the urge to life (and rebirth) in order to end his personal stress (Pali: dukkha). This attempt failed. He then decided to take a rational, scientific approach to the problem, eventually understanding that “Whatever is subject to arising is subject to cessation.” To wit|: “Nothing lasts.” “If you attach to that which doesn’t last you’re going to get stressed out, and suffer”. So, “Detach! Back off!” and stay cool and happy." 

...is perhaps a true representation of a future Buddha with a nokia phone tucked in his robe!

For those of you teaching in and around Dublin and County Wicklow, Victoria's Way is well worth a drive and meditative stroll as you take a few deep breaths and release the stresses of day to day life, you may even bump into Victoria himself who will no doubt keep you engaged for a while with his welcoming smile and friendly words.

The general trend around the world is to ban mobile phones, however, we as teachers need to find ways in which we can embrace the use of the mobile phone in the classroom.  The mobile phone, is not longer a toy but an essential piece of communication.

"It really is taking advantage of the love affair that kids have with technology today." says Dan Domevech, executive director of the non profit American Association of School Administrators.  "The kids are much more motivated to use their cellphone in an educational manner."

These days mobile phones are the equivalent of mini computers, one can check email, browse the internet, record images, video, audio.  We should take advantage of the fact that there has been and continues to be a significant rise in the number of young people buying mobile phones as opposed to computers.

There are the usual concerns that mobiles in the classroom encourage bullying.  Personally, I don't believe that mobiles phones encourage bullying as such, but are unfortunately another avenue through with bullies can operate.  The hard fact of life is that bullying does happen and will continue to happen in the classroom as it does in many workplaces, one doesn't need a mobile phone to become a bully or a victim of one.  If anything, equipped with a mobile phone one can record, film and store evidence of a bully's cruel and cowardly words/actions and pass that information onto school managers, parents and if needs be the police.  One can also call for help from a friend, adult or counseling service with the aid of a mobile.

My students have been using their mobile phones in class for a few years now, only on odd occasions when they need to do a quick calculation or use the stopwatch for an experiment.  I'm fine with that and am clear with the expectation that it'll be put away after wards and so far that privilege hasn't been abused.  However, this year I've been trying out a few new things....recording audio, taking photos, recording video clips and will explore whatever other options are out there for the benefit of students in an educational environment.

So far this year, my Year 11's (15 years old), a high ability Chemistry class have used their phones to take photos of experiments which they have sent to their laptops via bluetooth, then edited the images using Macromedia Fireworks or Adobe Photoshop and uploaded them in sequential order to a Microsoft Powerpoint where they explained the process at each stage of the experiment.  In the future, I'll look at the option of them making a video using Microsoft Movie Maker and adding audio, that has been edited and put together using Audacity.  One of my students in that class is allergic to sulfur so when I carried out a couple of demos in the fume cupboard on sulfur (producing SO2 and observing the low mp of sulfur molecules), she gave her mobile to another student who filmed the demo and I passed the phone back to her a few mins later as she was working quietly in another room, safely away from the fumes of the sulfur.  She was really pleased not to have missed out on the class demo.

My other Year 11 class have taken photos of models that they have made of DNA replication, mitosis and meiosis (made using plastercine, straws, pipecleaners, basically anything at hand) and edited them as above to make a picture storyboard.  Because there are students in those classes who don't have bluetooth on their mobile, I usually suggest that they work in pairs or threes so lack of bluetooth isn't an issue.

I would like to make more use of the fact that a mobile phone as it is a key tool for communication amongst young people.  I'd like to explore the option of texting them any last minute plans to extra-curricular sports such as cancellation or change of time.  I have the option of using my own phone but for privacy reasons would prefer to use the school mobile.  I'll also see if there is a possibility of students texting to free polls for the purposes of surveys eg continuous and discontinuous variation amongst a class of students while studying genetics and voting eg winner in a class competition or votes for class representatives.  Free test voting is available in the UK and Australia through http://www.smspoll.net but as far as I know there isn't a similar option available in New Zealand.  However, I have used the online survey http://www.surveymonkey.com

For additional guidelines on using a mobile in the classroom Liz Kolb book "From Toys to Tools", 2007, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education)is worth a read.  Click here for excerpts from her book which is available to purchase online.

I recommend reading this article which was published in the TES (Times Education Supplement) a year ago titled "Lecturers see the benefits of mobiles in the classroom", it provides an overview of a Molenet project that was carried out in 2007 to '08 and involved 10,000 students, all the statistics reflect positive thoughts from both the students and teachers regarding use of mobiles in the classroom.

And, another detailed article in the TES in Nov '09 discussing both sides of the story, titled "Friend or Foe?"  Basically, the articles suggests that volunteer teachers who are willing to experiment with the use of mobiles in the classroom should be allowed to do so.  Ollie Bray, who is a National Advisor for Learning and Technologies in Scotland suggests in his blog that

"we teach and work with our children to use these tools safely and responsibly."

It's that easy.  Pull your phone out of your pocket, move with the times, lead by example and lets embrace the use of mobiles for educational purposes in our lessons while at the same time giving our students responsibility for their actions.

Are Apple pleased with the huge popularity of mobiles phones and in particular their iPhone, you bet they are!  Accoring to MacWorld, Aug 2009 The "iPhone is now the teacher's pet".  Some recommended top iPhone application are here

In 2008, Toni Twiss carried out a research project for the Minstry of Education.  She states in an article "Mobile phones in the classroom", Aug 2009 in the Education Review that

"It seems somewhat ironic that while schools try to find extra funding to increase student and teacher access to ICT, the tool that many students already have in their pockets is overlooked and its use actively denied through restrictive school policy."

Yes, it is a little ironic, isn't it!

Well that's enough from me, it's St Patrick's day, Beannachtai na Feile Padraig!  I'm off to slip into a green jersey and sink a few jars of Guinness in a tacky Irish pub while having some craic and listening to a load of blarney.