ISTE2012-CT-ILT-Forum+and+Playground

**SIGCT/SIGILT Joint Forum and Playground for ISTE 2012**(updated 4/18/2012)
Conference Call March 12, 2012: [|agenda] [|notes] The mission of SIGCT is to advance the practice of teaching computing and computer science in PK-12 education that meets needs both for all students and for those wishing to study some aspect of the discipline in more depth. || **SIGILT (Innovative Learning Technologies)** SIGILT enables educators, researchers, educational reform leaders and learning technology innovators to share information about promising and proven new learning technologies. This group's goal is to identify, compile and disseminate that information. || __**The Forum and Playground**__ are meant to let the students showcase their skills and allow for question/answer periods. Our members come from a very diverse educational component – many are teachers in the classroom, but we also have teacher educators, media specialists, some in education services (such as consultants or providers of outside content). The members of our different SIGs are looking for ways to use the technology in the classroom for student success, not just use the technology to teach the students about concepts.
 * **SIGCT (Computing Teachers)**

Entering information for a Student Project proposal: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet /viewform?formkey=dHdRWXc3QzhmMDBDZkU4SmZlaXZYTUE6MQ#gid=0

__Time and location:__ Monday, June 25 from 8am - 10am; location tbd; room holding about 250 __Forum Title__: Listen to Us! From the Voices of Students __Description of Forum for program:__ "Hear Directly" from students how creating and producing technologies in Inspiration Stations. Groups from multiple programs and organizations will share.
 * FORUM**
 * Contacts: || Jean Kiekel || Lucianne Brown ||  ||
 * ||  ||  ||

__More detailed Description of forum__: Student groups from the different organizations would make short (12-15 minute) presentations to members of the innovative learning technologies and computer teacher special interest groups. These presentations would be similar to student showcase or poster sessions. The groups presenting are at liberty to organize their presentation in any way they wish, but to be sure to leave some room for questions built into their time. We will rotate attendee groups through the different students groups at regular intervals – depending on the number of student groups. Having 5 student group presentations would allow for an opening general information session about the SIGs and an overview of the presentations, then about an hour and a half of rotating presentations each a max of 17-20 minutes.

Currently, we're looking at two student projects from High Tech HS (Lisa Davis), an 8th grade team of Bayside, WI girls on Scratch (Heidi Williams), a team with several short projects from Innovation MS in San Diego (Scott Moss) and a student group from 4-H (Robert Mahacek and Steve Worker)

__General ISTE description about Forums__: Highlight successful ed tech programs, projects, lessons, ideas and concepts. Forum topics should help attendees better understand the work and focus of the hosting SIG(s)

__Content of student projects - This applies to both Forum and Playground events__ As suggested in the brief description just above, we're looking for teams of students not only using (consuming) technology but also creating and adapting technology to solve problems. Both the innovation and the computing components are brought together in this way. If you think about teams of students involved in projects like a science fair or student poster at some kind of event, then we're thinking in the same ballpark.

In recent years we've had student groups involved in several programs in robotics at all grade levels (USFIRST and 4-H) and we've had student groups involved in developing game programs in Scratch to help younger students learn math and logic. STEM-oriented projects (which includes computing and information technology) are particularly welcome.


 * PLAYGROUND**

__Time and location:__ Tuesday, June 26 from 9am - 4pm; location tbd __Area Layout__: This will be available mid to late February; will likely allow for 1 presentation area with an interactive whiteboard along with an area for 4-6 project areas __Playground Title__: STEM and Computer Science Playground

__Playground Description for Program:__ Student teams share how they create and produce technologies that enhance learning in STEM and computer science. Come and interact with our students from different organizations and programs.

Plan (current version):
 * Have about 6 interactive student projects at a time in the area (to be determined after planning with ISTE conference team)
 * Have three time slots: 9:00am-11:00am, 11:00am-1:00pm, 1:00pm-3:00pm
 * Once we have student proposals identified, we will work to schedule them in these time slots

Contacts:
 * Joe Kmoch || Veronica McGowan ||
 *  ||  ||

__Playground description:__ The playground will not be as rigid as the Forum because conference attendees will come throughout the day and stay anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more. Student teams are encouraged to have a brief presentation which also includes engaging visitors in what they do. In the past student teams have demonstrated robots and then asked visitors to try controlling them; one group using 4-H curriculum "Junk Drawer Robotics" made robots out of common materials and encouraged visitors to sit down and try working on one; another time a group demonstrating an online robotics course had visitors sit and try this out.

__General ISTE description of Playgrounds__: Playgrounds are day-long events that provide educators with opportunities to "play" with interactive technologies for creativity and learning.

As of **April 18, 2012** here's where we stand: Several teams from High Tech HS (Lisa Davis), number unknown for now Several teams from Innovation Middle School (Scott Moss), number unknown for now At least one team for each of the 3 US Robotics competitions (FRC, FTC and FRC) (David Berggren), needs confirmation Several teams from 4-H programs (Robert Mahacek and Steve Worker), needs confirmation Interest from Boys and Girls Clubs Unsure about Girl Scouts We may have a non-commercial presence for Sifteo Cubes  Anita McAnear is working on this.

Here is a form on which we will collect information for each student project proposed for either or both of our Forum or Playground https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHdRWXc3QzhmMDBDZkU4SmZlaXZYTUE6MQ#gid=0
 * Collecting information about proposed student projects:**

Involvement: several student groups to be involved in either or both the Forum and the Playground; also a possible tour by a group of conference attendees; Joe will visit on February 24 (last contact: 1/10/2012)
 * Those involved:**
 * __High Tech High__:** Lisa Davis 

**Innovation Middle School:** Scott Moss  He has a number of students involved in technology creation projects. He apparently has one project in the ISTE Student Showcase, but is interested in being involved with both the Forum and the Playground. Needs further discussion.

Southern California Regional Director and instructor at High Tech High Involvement: He has committed to having teams representing each of their three major competitions (FRC, FTC, FLL). We're looking for teams that include females and are multi-ethnic. (last contact: 1/11/2012)
 * __USFIRST Robotics__**: David Berggren  Richard Sisk 

Director, Technology Programs and Training Involvement: Will look for Clubs in San Diego and surround areas which may have interested groups of students; possibly feature Club Tech curriculum. (last contact: 1/26/2012) > Phil Albenese , CIO of Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena; offering to bring a group of students to showcase B&G Club Tech opportunities
 * __Boys & Girls Clubs__:** Mary Grybeck 

Suzanne Harper  both from the national office Involvement: Will look for Girl Scout groups at all ages who might be involved with programs and projects as described above; the GS have a STEM initiative and programs at least in the Wisconsin area, so presumably this is a national program in the GS? (last contact 1/26/2012)
 * __Girl Scouts of America__:** Tommi Tilden  and

4-H Science, Engineering and Technology Coordinator in southern California Involvement: He has contacted a previous Forum presenter, Richard Mahacek , and they will develop a plan to have 4-H involved. (last contact 1/12/2012) From Richard on 2/21/2012: We have been working on potential plans and partners to see what 4-H might be able to do at the ISTE conference. We will not be confirmed until next week, but potential could be the California 4-H Tech Team and the Nebraska 4-H GearTech21.
 * __4-H__:** Steven Worker 