On August 2-3, 2011, educators, students, parents, and social media mavens gathered together for the first annual #140edu Conference: Exploring the State of Education NOW. Panelists discussed a variety of hot topics related to integrating technology and social media into school curriculum, how to improve online safety for kids, and resources for continued learning. Here are some of the highlights from the conference:Book Blog BuzzReading blogs are a hit at Verona Schools in New Jersey. Students are creating excitement for reading by posting reviews of current ‘buzz books’ they enjoy including titles like The Hunger Games, Stargirl, and The Misfits. Patrick Higgins, Supervisor of Humanities for the Verona Schools shared the story of how students and teachers created the HBWReads blog to help eliminate word poverty.
Edcamp: Teacher Tech Professional DevelopmentWant to learn how iPads are used in elementary classrooms? Or have you ever wanted to integrate smart phones into high school lesson plans (since students have them anyway)? Edcamp hosts professional development for teachers, as well as access to wiki materials and twitter chats for ongoing learning and feedback.KidzVuzTweens share KidzVuz video reviews of books, games, toys etc. they enjoy. A fun, safe kid-approved website founded by Social Media Strategist and proud parent Rebecca Levey.Storytelling Motivates Middle School Girls to Learn Computer ProgrammingLynn Langit, Co-Founder of Teaching Kids Programming, shares her passion for teaching 1000+ students in 18 months via online curriculum. Lynn’s students had such fun programming they were even willing to give up their lunch break to code additional projects! Sounds like a bright future ahead for hacking education.TeacherpreneursOur thanks to Mike Karnjanaprakorn, CEO of Skillshare, for highlighting teacher activists and education entrepreneurs who create positive change for classrooms.
PYPM: Philly Youth Poetry MovementExecutive Director Gregory Corbin shares the power of poetry with his students to promote self expression and creative learning. Talented young writers, performers, and advocates emerge from the PYPM movement which has helped spark social change and bring learning to life across all subjects.
