PILOTed

#FETC 2018

FETC 2018 is in the books.

For me, the conference started with the EduTechGuys interviewing me about game-based learning at FETC. This was the first year FETC had a separate pavilion dedicated to education games. It was so popular it’s going to be expanded next year with more presentations and more games. Games mentioned in the interview are TeacherGaming, 3DBear AR, Agents of Discovery, Wibbu/Ruby Rei, and Amplify Reading.

If you listen, you’ll also learn that in Oklahoma, 25 times 25 is 225.

Speaking of games, I got to spend some time with Azi Jamalian of Littlebits. Playing with the different coded electronics parts is such a fun way to learn computational thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communications, and inventing to solve a problem while also experiencing electronics concepts such as power, input/output sensors, motors, servos, parallel and serial circuits, voltage, and capacitors.

Leslie Fisher did a brilliant review of Augmented Reality uses in education. She and I both agree that AR is poised to explode across the education spectrum. It immerses and engages kids, delivers compelling content, and also empowers kids to solve problems and create without requiring the purchase of physical objects.

One of her favorite applications is Aurasma, now renamed HP Reveal. You can make pages pop into life by creating an aura, which can link a trigger to text, 3D objects, or videos. Based on audience reaction, a second very popular application is goosechase, an AR app for scavenger hunts. Of course, Leslie has over 50 AR apps on her AR resources page on her website.

Poster sessions are always one of my favorite activities at tech conferences, because you get to spend real time talking to educators doing remarkable things with their kids. FETC had a special poster schedule for AR and VR apps.

The Academy of Holy Name in Windsor, CT has elementary students demonstrate their understanding of zoology by creating their own animals using Creaturizer. Middle school kids create bio domes using CoSpaces. And high schoolers create their own interactive historical adventures using Story Spheres.

Tampa Preparatory School has a 6 station VR creation lab. Computer science students create VR experiences using Unity 3D, while art students use Oculus Medium, Tilt brush, and the 3D scanner “Structure Sensor” to create 3 dimensional interactive art.

A conversation with Bob Dillon highlighted one of the mega trends at the conference. For a variety of reasons, federal and state policy is mandating, schools are demanding, and publishers are paying more attention to inclusive instructional design (or Universal Design of Instruction, UDI). Being able to accommodate students who have deficiencies or learning preferences is becoming required and commonplace, and publishers that do not have inclusive features baked in are seeing their products bypassed by curriculum committees at districts. This is a specialty of The ETIN’s Sarah Kloek, and she will be talking about how to comply with federal and state regulations at the SIIA Annual Conference in June.

And another conversation with TeamDynamix's Andrew Graf highlighted that security is the second biggest concern of superintendents nationwide. Districts have to contend with parents’, students’, and teachers' increasing expectations about immediate access to the content they want when they want it, and if there is a problem, that it be solved immediately, at the same time as they face resource constraints. Dynamix’s solution is to make it easier for users to fix problems on their own while also making it less labor intensive for the right expert to fix problems that require specialized knowledge.

And no conference would be complete without conversing with Tom Whitby. Tom and I planned out a series of Edchat Interactives on Wednesday nights that will drill down on the most popular topics of the Tuesday Edchat Twitter Chat. You can sign up for Wednesday, Feb 7 here, or see what is coming up here.

 

The Game Based Learning Guide to FETC 2108

With some help from the kind people of FETC, here are the sessions on game-based learning at FETC this year.

Please pass this on to whomever you know is interested in GBL.

Also, don't forget to visit the Game-Based Learning Pavilion, right next to the poster sessions on the exhibit hall floor.

Title	Description	Speakers	Where/When
Tuesday, January 23
Game Makers	During this interactive workshop, you will be challenged to use creative, innovative thinking and technology to make the best game.	Jaime Donally, Hoonuit | ARVRinEDU; Rachelle Dene Poth, Riverview High School	1:30PM, Hyatt Regency, Bayhill 18
11 Projects Implementing Technology to Develop Critical Thinking	Discover how to teach your students that mistakes and failures are not disasters, but rather an opportunity to learn something new.	Howie DiBlasi, Digital Journey	1:30PM, Hyatt Regency, Bayhill 20
Digital Games Help Develop Students' Literacy, Life and Career Skills	This workshop showcases free digital learning games produced by Classroom Inc. (CI). Led by two CI staff members and one to two middle school educators who use the digital learning games in their classrooms, this workshop will connect the story of creating a game-based curriculum guided by educational research with the story of how the games are used in the classroom to develop critical 21st century skills.	Hee Jin Bang, Ph.D, Classroom, Inc.; Kwamara Thompson, Classroom, Inc.	1:30PM, Hyatt Regency, Bayhill 23 & 24
Wednesday, January 24
MIE Teacher Academy -- Minecraft: Education Edition	During this one-day, in-person Teacher Academy, you will: learn about Minecraft: Education Edition, its place in learning, and unique features suited for teaching and learning with immersive games.	Mary Williams, Microsoft; Zia Hassan,	8:30AM, Orange County Convention Center, North 220C
Break Out of Your Box and Break into Breakout EDU!	Come experience Breakout EDU games for yourself, then begin developing your own breakouts to re-energize yourself as a teacher and students of all ages as learners!	Lynne Herr, Educational Service Unit 6	10:30AM, Hyatt Regency, Bayhill 21
Using Scratch with Elementary Students	Never used Scratch before? Want to learn how to create using the program and discover ways to incorporate coding into your classroom?	Jason Rushing, Wysong Elementary (Neb.); Susan Prabulos, Meadow Lane Elementary (Neb.)	4:00PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 1100
Thursday, January 25
CETL: Up Your Game With the National Certification for IT Leaders	For K-12 education technology leaders, earning the Certified Educational Technology Leader program certification demonstrates to your staff, superintendent and other stakeholders that you have mastered the skills needed to define and successfully build 21st-century learning environments in your school district.	Tom Ingram, Escambia County School District (Fla.); Diane Doersch, Green Bay Area Public Schools (Wis.)	8:00AM, Hyatt Regency, Bayhill 21
Game On: Using Digital Games for Teaching, Learning and Assessment	This presentation is designed for PK-12 teachers and curriculum specialists to: find, critique, and evaluate digital games using search and evaluation strategies to determine if they are suitable for instructionm integrate a wide range of digital games into the curriculum utilizing academic standards, and explore instructional and assessment strategies essential to make a game- based learning experience a success for students.	Ryan Schaaf, Notre Dame of Maryland University	10:00AM, Orange County Convention Center, North 220E
Bringing Hands-On Coding And STEAM Into Your District Or Classroom	Are you planning to enhance STEAM and Coding programs in your district, school, or makerspace? Join this session for a fun, hands-on experience with littleBits Code Kit: a complete computer science solution that teaches students how to build their own mini-computer or game console.	Azadeh (Azi) Jamalian, littleBits; Azadeh (Azi) Jamalian, littleBits	10:00AM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 1159
30 Game Tools to Engage Every Class	This fast paced session will demonstrate 30 free and simple-to-use games, that can be integrated into any classroom, no matter what grade level or content area. Participants will walk away with game based technologies and examples of how they can be used in classrooms the very next day.	Jeff Ertzberger, University of North Carolina Wilmington; Salena Rabidoux, University of North Carolina Wilmington; Amy Rottmann, Lenoir-Rhyne University	12:00 noon, Orange County Convention Center, North 220E
Gameshow Classroom: Formative Assessment That ROCKS	The best features of game shows can be used to review and teach in the classroom. Play with Kahoot!, Quizizz, Quizalize and Quizlet Live, learn about their best features and see how they can bring game show magic to your own classroom.	Matt Miller, Ditch That Textbook	12:00 noon, Orange County Convention Center, North 320AB
Exploring the World of Game Based Learning	During this session, we'll explore the world of Game Based Learning and try out a variety of games and gaming techniques that provide opportunities for students to make connections to learning objectives, standards, and beyond in the classroom. Make sure to bring any type of device pre-loaded with your favorite game to share with others.	Brandon Petersen, mindSpark Learning	1:00PM, Orange County Convention Center, North 220E
Makerfication!	Makerfication is a look into how Google suites can bring gamification and the maker movement together to help enhance engagement in the classroom and increase excitement in PBL.	Rick Funes, Gulliver Schools (Fla.); Andrés Joubert, Gulliver Schools (Fla.)	1:00PM, Orange County Convention Center, South 330AB
Direct from Finland: Deep Learning Using Games, 3D, and AR	What do the developers of classroom blockbuster MinecraftEdu and a group of cutting-edge 3D and augmented reality engineers have in common? They're both from Finland, home to the best education system in the world, and incredibly passionate about innovative learning. Santeri Koivisto from TeacherGaming and Jussi Kajala from 3DBear will take to the stage to deliver insights on how teachers can take a page from Finland, embrace uncommon teaching methods, and deliver learning experiences their students will never forget.	Santeri Koivisto, TeacherGaming; Santeri Koivisto, TeacherGaming; Jussi Kajala, 3DBear	1:00PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 1159
Breaking The Mold With BreakoutEDU	This session will share a hands-on gaming platform called Breakout EDU. Modeled after escape rooms, Breakout EDU challenges students and/or staff to think critically about content, problem solve, troubleshoot, and work as a team.	Edie Erickson, Bay College	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
BreakoutEDU for K - 2	Come visit this poster session to explore how Breakout EDU can specifically be used with Kindergarten through second grade students!	Cutia Blunt, The Galloway School	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
Battle of the Books Gets H.O.T. With FSA Standards	Battle of the Books and web based gaming software is transforming the way our students read in Pinellas County School District. We use higher order thinking, textually complex questions in our games played across the county using technology in a virtual gaming world. Student collaborate with the books in teams to compete.	Laura Woods, Pinellas County Schools Library Media Department; Peggy Duncan, Curlew Creek Elementary	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
Don't Flip Your Lid - FlipQuiz	Come and learn how you, too, can use FlipQuiz to create quiz board games for your students. Students are motivated, engaged, and above all learning!	Kimberly Dawn Albury, Horace O'Bryant School	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
Breakout EDU with OneNote	Participants will learn about Breakout EDU and how to create virtual locks using OneNote. Ideas and tips will be shared for creating your own Breakout games, as well as exploring and modifying existing Breakout games. In this session participants will also play a Breakout game!	Freda Williams, Cherokee County School District	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
¿Hablas Minecraft? Minecraft in the World Language Classroom	Experience Minecraft in the second language classroom! From gamification to game-based learning we will explore how you can start using Minecraft in your classroom immediately!	Glen Irvin, Wabasha-Kellogg School District	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
Middle School English: Let's BreakOut Before We Stress Out	You can take students to the next level with their learning and critical thinking skills while fostering communication. BreakOut EDU boxes are applicable to all subjects, but in my session, I focus on effective strategies for implementing BreakOut EDU boxes into English and Social Studies curriculums. Your students will have a blast learning how to BreakOut instead of stressing out.	Betsy Wengler, St. Edward's School	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
Make Learning Come Alive in the Gamified Classroom!	The gamified classroom is an adventure at any level or content area. This session will describe how to layer the most motivational techniques of gameplay over your curriculum to increase student collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.	Tisha Richmond, -- Please Choose (Starts With A) --	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
Stemming Attrition in STEM and Promoting Durable Conceptual Change	In this session, we share the game design principles that proved to promote a high level of engagement, interest, and learning as well as the kind of ‘durable conceptual change’ that benefits all students, especially girls and students from low SES.	Victoria Van Voorhis, Second Avenue Learning	2:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 2305
Designing Games in Scratch	What do students love more than playing games? Making games! Come and learn how to use Scratch to code a variety of games.	Susan Prabulos, Meadow Lane Elementary (Neb.); Jason Rushing, Wysong Elementary (Neb.)	3:20PM, Orange County Convention Center, North 220E
How to Design Effective Starters for Strong Classes	We'll look at several ways that teachers can get their classes going in the right gear with technology, including approaches to using images, discussion tools, games, and short videos.	Rushton Hurley, NextVista.org	3:30PM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 1805
Breakout EDU : Learning Inside the Box	Breakout EDU is the immersive learning game platform. Come and learn about how to create and share Breakout EDU games with your students and see how easy it is to increase the critical thinking and collaboration in your classroom.	Adam Bellow, Breakout EDU	4:20PM, Orange County Convention Center, North 320AB
Friday, January 26
Using Digital Games for Teaching, Learning and Assessment	Robert will make sure you experience the full potential of game-based learning through a selection of titles hosted on BrainPOP's GameUP portal. Bring your own laptop/device … if you're game!	Robert Miller, BrainPOP	10:00AM, Orange County Convention Center, North 220E
Hands-On STEM: Coding Robots	This session will showcase a variety of robots and products that allow students to learn and apply coding and robotics concepts. Participants will learn about classroom use of Dash and Dot, Parrot Mini-Drones, Ozobots, a coding game called Puzzlets, Bloxels Video Game Creator, and a Kano Computer Kit.	Lauren Wade, Ocean Palms Elementary School	10:45AM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 2305
Virtual DC Documentary	Through this project, my 5th grade students learned about the history associated with landmarks they'll be seeing this summer on their Safety Patrol trip to Washington, DC.  My 5th grade students did the research, script-writing, green screen setup, and producing prior to being able to "walk the red carpet" as the stars of the movie they produced.	Caryl OSteen, Bronson Elementary School	11:00AM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 965
Google CS First Clubs	Technology Instructor, Kelly McNeil, will demonstrate samples, lessons and tips from her 6th grade classroom Digital Storytelling and Art Clubs.The teacher dashboard, printed materials and question and answer time will be provided from a tried in the classroom perspective. An overview of the themes will be presented: Storytelling, Friends, Fashion and Design, Art, Social Media, Sports, Music and Sound, Game Design and Animation.	Kelly McNeil, All Saints Academy	11:00AM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 1100
Next Level Technology Clubs: Creating Divergent Thinkers Through Inquiry-Based Learning	We have created a culture of divergent thinkers through the promotion of student exploration, collaboration, and innovation without the need for specialized staff. Students choose an individualized learning path from choices such as coding, robotics, 3-D printing, invention, and video game design.	Michael West, Elyria City Schools; Cindy Tobel, Elyria City Schools; Brian Kokai, Elyria City Schools	11:00AM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 1100
Scratch with Elementary Students	Scratch is a visual program that can be used to explore content and create in a range of media formats (games, digital storytelling, animation, etc), making it engaging for young people with various learning styles and interests and languages.	Regina Schaffer, Middletown Township School District	11:00AM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 1100
The Power of PBL	My high school programming students designed and created a game to help our lower school students practice their mouse skills. Participants will discover all of the steps necessary to bring the project from an idea to an actual product that was played and tested by our first grade students, including feedback and iterative design strategies.	Cristy McCloskey, Sewickley Academy	11:00AM, Orange County Convention Center, Booth 2405
Become Makers: Don't Play Games, Make Them!	Teachers and students can make or augment games for learning classroom material. Learn why Alice programming was created and why it is supported by computer science professors at Duke, Stanford, Carnegie Melon, Georgia Tech and more.	Chari Distler, North Broward Preparatory School (Fla.)	12:00 noon, Orange County Convention Center, North 220E
Builders, Miners and Geeks: Why Minecrafters Need School IT	In this session, Scott, Mitchell, and Daniel will share their journey and introduce school IT leaders to several solutions that address common problems when using Minecraft for educational purposes at home and in school.	Scott Vrablik, Carmel Catholic High School (Ill.); Clean Minecraft Videos; Mitchell Brown, Carmel Catholic High School (Ill.); Clean Minecraft Videos; Daniel Rezac, Tynker & Quest Academy	12:00 noon, Orange County Convention Center, South 330H

Some thoughts on Cuba

This past December, we went on a Friendly Planet cruise to Cuba. The cruise included lectures on Cuban history and culture, and visits to Santiago de Cuba, Havana, and Cienfuegos. It was fascinating.

The average Cuban earns about $50 a month. It almost doesn’t matter what job he or she does, virtually all jobs in the official Cuban economy earn roughly the same. But Cubans have free basic housing, basic food, education, and healthcare. Basic food means primarily rice and beans; for example, each Cuban is entitled to 5 eggs a month. Women and children get about 2.5 pounds a month of meat; men get none. If you want more, you pay; an egg in the free market is about 75 cents. So if you want more, you have to work an extra job that is outside of the normal economy, and since Cubans themselves have very little money, your best chances are to do something that tourists pay for. For example, a tour guide can earn $40 or more a day during season, or a cab driver who drives one of the old 1950’s cars can earn $50 for a couple of hours.

However, when Trump reinstated the embargo to Cuba, and blocked US general tourists from being able to travel to Cuba, tourism dropped significantly. This is really hurting the common people.

Because virtually all jobs pay the same, there are no economic disincentives to pursuing what you want. There are incredible musicians, dancers, and artists.

Every Cuban serves 3 years in public service. For men, it’s primarily 2 years in the military and 1 year of general public service, and women have a choice of military or just 3 years of service.

Cubans talk primarily about two wars. The war for independence lasted for about 10 years, during the 1880’s and 1890’s. The US did not get involved until just about the last battle. At the time of independence, there was a huge debate about whether to be truly independent or to become part of the US. When the US joined in the final battle, they made Cuba a territory of the US. In 1905, Cuba became truly an independent country, except the treaty with the US gave the US the right to intervene whenever they felt that it was in their best interest and also the perpetual right to Guantanamo bay. The hero of the war of independence was José Martí, who is buried in Santiago. Martí laid out the strategy for the war of independence and was able to marshal international support, but he was killed in his first battle.

The revolution was the fight of Fidel Castro (he is not called Castro in Cuba, he is called Fidel) against the US-backed corrupt government of Batista in the 1950s. Fidel was a master at publicity. His first battle was a disaster, when he attacked the army barracks in Santiago. Many of his fighters were killed, tortured (and then killed) and Castro was jailed (he was married to the daughter of Batista’s right hand man, otherwise he would likely have been tortured and killed as well), and then exiled to Mexico. He was able to get worldwide attention for his small band of revolutionaries. In fact, most of his men were killed in the first battle on his return to Cuba, but he was able to win the press wars and the battle was labeled a success for the revolution. Fidel managed to convince the US that he was was going to be pro-US, and so just over a year after Fidel’s return to Cuba, the US ordered Batista to surrender before the battle of Havana was even fought. When Batista left, he took over $500 million with him.

Once Fidel was successful, the US put a lot of pressure on Fidel to allow American companies to run the economy, while the Soviet Union was content to just provide aid. To a certain extent, the US drove Castro to have to choose: US or Soviet Union, and the Soviet Union actually offered greater autonomy and aid.

Except for Raul Castro, virtually all of Fidel’s senior leaders of the revolution met mysterious deaths or were imprisoned after the revolution.

Cuba used the US dollar as a form of currency until the 1990’s, but this was prohibited by the US. In fact the US will not allow any electronic funds transfer with Cuba, so this means no withdrawals and no US credit cards are usable. In other words, you have to bring as much cash to Cuba as you intend to spend because you will have no access to other funds. Also, because of the restrictions, Cuba places a 13% penalty on conversions to and from US dollars. So if you exchange $100, you only receive $87 in Cuban money. And then if you want to convert that back to dollars, you’ll only get $75 back. There is no penalty on Euros, so you are best bringing Euros in and converting them into Cuban currency when you need it.

Because Cuba has no access to US products, and little access to any outside goods, Cubans have had a hard time doing normal repair. You’ll find older cars might be refitted with boat engines, or lights that are built out of old bottles. Anything is fair game if it will work.

The number one source of outside currency is tourism. Second is money sent back by family members who left Cuba, and third is medical and pharmaceutical revenues. Cuba provides physicians to other countries, and has started producing some very effective drugs against forms of cancer and diabetes that are now being used internationally, although not in the US. With the expectation of increased tourism, cities are slowly being upgraded. You can really see the progress, as one block has building that look brand new, and the next is totally in disrepair.

Raul Castro will be leaving the government in April (plus or minus a few months). Elections will be held in February, and the next leader will be from a younger generation. Cubans do not vote directly for the president; they vote for local representatives who then vote for the president. There is really only one party, but often more than one person who initially seeks office. There is talk that the next leader will continue to open up the economy.

Until Obama opened up the US Internet to Cuba, Cuba only had a line to the Internet through Venezuela. Not even tourists really had access. Now, most universities have high speed access to the Web, the Internet, and apps like WhatsApp. We’ve been able to maintain contact with a few of the artists and university professors we met in Cuba. High speed access is beyond the economic means of most Cubans, but it’s expanding and the price is getting lower every few months.

Cuba has a reputation for their great medical care. Every community has a local doctor, who is responsible for about 120 families. The doctor is responsible for making sure everyone get checkups and stays on whatever regimen they need, and they will make house calls when needed. For this, Doctors get a free residence/office, a free car, and a slightly higher salary than most citizens.

It’s a fascinating country going through a lot of change.

If you're interested, here is a link to our Cuba photos.