Online Learning Week 1 - January 12 - 18

Welcome to our first week of the new NNPS Secondary STEM cohort.

The focus of this week will be mostly about building infrastructures for the rest of the semester.

We'll discuss all of the following things in our face-to-face session on Saturday, January 24, but you are also encouraged to email me (JimEgenrieder@gmail.com or Jim@STEMeducation.us) or call 571-482-8298 at any time.

Things to do this week:

A. Defining STEM

Using any tool (e.g., MS Word, Google Docs, etc.), develop your own personal/professional definition of the following.  Start without using any resources!

1. Science
2. Technology
3. Engineering
4. Math
5. STEM Education
   
   After you've drafted something from your own knowledge and experience, feel free to begin improving or enhancing your definitions with other resources, but try to keep the definitions your own (diction you could comfortably use in a discussion with a colleague or friend).
   
   You're not obliged to share this with me or anyone; I simply want you to start this process of defining these components of the increasingly ubiquitous "STEM" and it's variants.

B. Exploring Online Teaching and Learning Tools and Platforms

Throughout our coursework I'll ask you to explore a variety of tools and online learning management systems, some or all of which may be familiar.  Some have complementary if not overlapping (maybe even thoroughly redundant) utility.  Don't sweat that - I simply want you to have the experiences with each.  Later you'll have a chance to choose among them which will be your primary tool(s).  I'll emphasize free tools, and I'll certainly welcome your suggestions.

Begin with these:

1. Blogger - If you have a school or personal Google account, you can use the same account to log into Blogger / Blogspot. You may use that account or create a new Google account to use Blogger/Blogspot or other Google tools during this course.  When you have logged in to blogger, look for the "New Blog" link; consider starting with the "Simple" template, or use any other that appeals to you. You can change templates at any time. Create a post, perhaps introducing yourself. Please visit my course blog at http://nnps-secondary-stem.blogspot.com regularly.


2. Twitter  -  If you're already using Twitter, particularly if you use it for teaching, there's no need to set up another account unless you wish to.  (Many teachers like to segregate their personal and teaching lives.)  You may use any name, pseudonym, or theme you wish.  Explore other Newport News accounts and please follow me.


3. Schoolology - I've sent each of you an invitation.

Again, try these; ask for help or troubleshooting as desired.   We'll introduce others throughout our coursework and discuss them in our face-to-face session.

Email or call anytime.    

Jim