Michigan

2 innovative programs that help students obtain a college degree

On 06/17/2014, in cost of getting a degree, funding / grants, higher education, ideas, innovation, Michigan, United States, by Daniel Christian

The Kalamazoo Promise
A program whereby qualified students of the Kalamazoo Public Schools (Kalamazoo, MI, USA) can get up to 100% of their college tuition paid for them. Recently this program was expanded to include 15 other private liberal arts colleges.

NOTES:

The Promise is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation funded entirely by a small group of anonymous donors
The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research has a lot of data about the Kalamazoo Promise
Grand Rapids, MI now has a Kalamazoo Promise-type of initiative called “Challenge Scholars” — see http://www.grfoundation.org/challengescholars
Also see: The Power of a Promise: Education and Economic Renewal in Kalamazoo — by Michelle Miller-Adams

Starbucks to provide free college education to thousands of workers — from nytimes.com by Richard Perez-Penaju

Excerpt:

Starbucks will provide a free online college education to thousands of its workers, without requiring that they remain with the company, through an unusual arrangement with Arizona State University, the company and the university will announce on Monday.

NOTE:
EducationDive has some solid comments and advice, however, re: the fine print here –> Highly praised Starbucks program requires large upfront tuition payments first

Many of these presentations will be live streamed at:

Also see:

January 2014: Remote Webcast Locations

“Learning in the Living [Class] Room” — as explained by Daniel Christian [Campus Technology]

On 11/05/2013, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, active learning, adult learning, analytics, animation, Artificial Intelligence/Agents/LLMs/and Related, attention, blended learning, Bring your own device (BYOD), business side of he, career development, change, changing business models, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, collaboration, colleges, communications, communities of practice, community colleges, competency-based learning/education, computer science, consortiums, content development, aggregation, repositories, convergence, corporate / business world, corporate universities / corporate training, cost of getting a degree, creativity, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, data related items, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, distance education, e-books, e-publishing related items (EPUB and more), e-readers, education, education reform, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, entrepreneurship, expectations, experimentation, flipping -- inverted learning, formal learning, future of higher education, game-changing environment, global / globalization, heutagogy, higher education, homeschooling/homeschoolers, human-computer interaction (HCI), hybrid learning, IBM, ideas, immersion, informal learning, innovation, instructional design, intelligent systems, intelligent tutoring, interaction design, interactivity, interface design, internet, IT in HE, K-12 related, learner profiles, learning, learning agents, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, learning preferences, learning spaces, liberal arts, lifelong learning, love of learning, machine-to-machine communications, marketplaces, media/film, Michigan, mirroring and/or multiple devices, mobile learning, mobile technologies, MOOCs -- Massive Open Online Courses, more voice more choice more control, motivation, multi-touch, multimedia, Near Field Communication (NFC), neurodivergent/special needs, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new business models, new media literacies, online learning, online media, online tutoring, open courseware and systems, organizational change, pace of change, participation, passions, personalized/customized learning, platforms, play, professional development, programming, real-world assignments, reinvent, second screen apps, simulations, smart classrooms, smart/connected TV, social learning / networks, social media, society, staying relevant, STEAM-related, story, storytelling, strategy, streams of content, student-related, surviving, tablets, teaching & learning, technologies for your home, technology (general), telecommunications, telepresence, television, transmedia, trends, ubiquitous learning, universities, user experience (UX), user interface design, using teams, videoconferencing, virtual field trips, virtual K-12 schools, Virtual Reality (VR) / worlds / learning, virtual tutoring, vision/possibilities, web-based collaboration, webinars, workplace, by Daniel Christian

Learning from the Living [Class] Room — from Campus Technology by Daniel Christian and Mary Grush; with a huge thanks also going out to Mr. Steven Niedzielski (@Marketing4pt0) and to Mr. Sam Beckett (@SamJohnBeck) for their assistance and some of the graphics used in making these videos.

From DSC:
These 4 short videos explain what I’m trying to relay with a vision I’m entitling, Learning from the Living [Class] Room. I’ve been pulse checking a variety of areas for years now, and the pieces of this vision continue to come into fruition. This is what I see Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) morphing into (though there may be other directions/offshoots that they go in as well).

After watching these videos, I think you will see why I think we must move to a team–based approach.

(It looks like the production folks for Campus Technology had to scale things way back in terms of video quality to insure an overall better performance for the digitally-based magazine.)

To watch these videos in a higher resolution, please use these links:

Alternatively, these videos can be found at:

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Wow! Those teaching Physics/Science/Art might want to investigate new possibilities w/ Google Glass (& the like)!

On 09/13/2013, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, 3D, A/V -- audio/visual, art, Augmented Reality (AR), biology, chemistry, creativity, digital audio, digital learning, digital video, education technology, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, experimentation, flipping -- inverted learning, Google, higher education, homeschooling/homeschoolers, human-computer interaction (HCI), ideas, immersion, informal learning, innovation, K-12 related, learning ecosystem, media/film, Michigan, more voice more choice more control, multimedia, new media literacies, online learning, online media, physics, platforms, science, streams of content, student-related, teachers, teaching & learning, telepresence, ubiquitous learning, user experience (UX), videoconferencing, virtual field trips, vision/possibilities, visualizing information, web-based collaboration, by Daniel Christian

A first look at how educators are really using Google Glass — from by Stephen Noonoo

Excerpts (emphasis DSC):

Per Andrew Vanden Heuvel:

What Glass does offer, Vanden Heuvel said, is a shift in perspective, particularly because teachers can use it as a tool to engage students faster and more easily than before. After returning from Geneva, Vanden Heuvel launched a YouTube channel devoted to his experiments with science–and Glass–called STEMBite. To date, in more than two dozen videos, he’s guided viewers through the physics of ball spin on the tennis court to the polarization of light through (appropriately enough) a pair of glasses.

“What I’m excited by making these videos is not only that they’re filmed with Google Glass, but they’re high engagement videos, so they’re meant to be really short and to get kids to think about how math and science is all around,” he said. “I suppose I could have done that before, but it’s just so easy now.”

Per Hanna Brown:

“I’ve had videos in my classroom before–that’s not a novel thing–but I’ve never been able to take a video from my eye perspective,” said Hannah Brown, another early Glass adopter who works as a high school art teacher at Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, an all-online statewide charter school in Ohio.

From DSC:
Virtual field trips, mobile learning, videoconferencing, web-based collaboration, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), and other topics come to my mind when I see this.

Optimizing informal learning spaces: Ten tips for universities [Scott-Webber]

On 09/05/2013, in colleges, community colleges, higher education, learning spaces, library / librarians, Michigan, smart classrooms, universities, by Daniel Christian

Optimizing informal learning spaces: Ten tips for universities — from gettingsmart.com by Dr. Lennie Scott-Webber, Steelcase Education Solutions

Excerpt:

Below are ten guiding tenets for those who plan education spaces to reimagine in-between space real estate to better capture these moments of learning for more effective informal learning spaces…

Comment on “Top 10: Classroom Seating” [media.designerpages.com]

On 08/29/2013, in Daniel S. Christian, Europe, learning spaces, Michigan, smart classrooms, United States, by Daniel Christian

Top Ten: Classroom Seating — from media.designerpages.com

From DSC:
I’d rather see more of these “Top 10” chairs on wheels — i.e. be movable — like the above Node Chair from Steelcase. Ideally, chairs and tables in classrooms should be able to be easily moved around, reconfigured, etc. — in order to facilitate greater student-to-student interaction, group work, and/or for reconfiguring the room to more of a lecture/presentation style format.

Also see:

Vittra School Södermalm / Rosan Bosch — from archdaily.com

symbaloo [with thanks to Kara Sevensma for the resource]

On 08/27/2013, in cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, education technology, ideas, K-12 related, Michigan, pedagogy, teachers, teaching & learning, tools, by Daniel Christian

Per Kara Sevensma, Assistant Professor of Education at Calvin College:

This Symbaloo includes links to iPad apps that are essential for any educator. It also provides links to recommended educational technology resources and standards/guidelines.

Reflections on “Detroit goes bankrupt, the largest city to do so in U.S.” [Davey]

On 07/18/2013, in business, collaboration, Daniel S. Christian, hearts -- matters of the heart, Michigan, society, sociology, United States, web-based collaboration, by Daniel Christian

Detroit goes bankrupt, the largest city to do so in U.S. — from nytimes.com by Monica Davey

Excerpt:

DETROIT — Detroit, the cradle of America’s automobile industry and once the nation’s fourth-most-populous city, has filed for bankruptcy, an official said Thursday afternoon, the largest American city ever to take such a course.

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From DSC:
First of all, thanks to George Siemens for posting this item on Twitter. Secondly, as I mentioned there, many people have left Detroit through the years, leaving an aging infrastructure that still needs to be paid for, but with a constantly dwindling tax base.

What are some of the lessons other cities, towns, and villages can learn from this?

One potential item that comes to my mind is to not put all of our eggs into one basket. Detroit was too focused on the automobile; we should have diversified more. (This could also be said of our careers/skillsets I suppose…)

Anyway, the people of Detroit have been on my heart and mind for years now. I internally pitched an idea a while back whereby our student teachers in our Education Department could employ web-based collaboration tools to help the youth of Detroit in their studies. It seemed like a potential WIN-WIN situation — providing real-world teaching experience to our current EDUC students (and most likely opening up completely new experiences for them) while at the same time providing some solid/free tutoring/assistance for the students of Detroit.

Addendums on 7/19/13:

Quote from Governor Snyder today
I’d like to take a moment to explain why I made that decision and what it means for the city — and for the State of Michigan. In many respects, this day has been six decades in the making. Detroit is buried under $18 billion in debt and unfunded liabilities. In fact, 38 cents of every city dollar goes toward debt repayment, legacy costs and other obligations. By 2017, that figure will go up to 65 cents per dollar. That level of debt is unsustainable.
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And this could help:
The Federal Communications Commission begins its restructuring on Friday of the “E-rate” the government uses to provide schools with funds to connect to the Internet.
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I tried flipping an inner-city, impoverished class and… — from bamradionetwork.com by Jon Bergmann and Kathy Swanger
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Consider bringing in remote teachers/experts via tools and technologies such as these

Herman Miller: Learning Spaces Sketchbook

On 05/31/2013, in collaboration, learning spaces, Michigan, vendors, web-based collaboration, by Daniel Christian

Excerpts:

Learning Space Insights
The following insights result from ongoing testing of new approaches to learning spaces and are not intended to be prescriptive. We hope each insight causes you to consider new approaches to learning space design. As our research continues, we look forward to a continued dialogue on each of the following insights, which will lead to discovery of new ideas for learning space design.

Enhance Collaboration
Idea: Traditional classroom design often limits engagement (due to rows, etc.). Space should enable and encourage student and faculty engagement, as well as student-tostudent interaction.

Foster Engagement
Idea: Spaces that encourage engagement remove barriers, get faculty out from behind the traditional lectern, and allow them to move freely around the space.

Let Learning Happen Everywhere
Idea: Consider adding “lingering” spaces that connect faculty and students outside scheduled learning spaces.

Flex to Meet More Needs
Idea: Furnishings selected with flexibility in mind allow spaces to be used in different ways. Consider a simple kit of furniture parts that will allow you multiple layouts and space options.

Make Technology Work for You
Idea: Technology should serve your teaching and learning needs and not dictate how, where, or when teaching or learning happens.

Provide Supportive Choices
Idea: Whether you spend 50 minutes or several hours in a learning environment, the need for comfort and variety is clear. Learning space design needs to offer options that support variety and comfort—for both faculty and students.

Blur the Lines Between Learning and Work
Idea: Consider spaces that mirror corporate spaces and support the collaboration and engagement skills vital to post-graduation success.

Michigan district fires all teachers, closes every school [Parker]

On 05/15/2013, in Daniel S. Christian, engagement / engaging students, K-12 related, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, love of learning, Michigan, online learning, society, United States, by Daniel Christian

Michigan district fires all teachers, closes every school — from takepart.com by Suzi Parker
A funding crisis caused the Buena Vista School District to close its schools for the rest of the year—and perhaps permanently.

From DSC:
This is not right.

If the State of Michigan can’t resolve this…
I hope that a corporation or two — or a major philanthropist or two — steps in here to insure that all these students have Internet access. Then provide/allow these students to go online. Let these students take any class that they want to — and help them enjoy learning as much as possible. They will learn things along the way — without even knowing that they are learning (along the lines of what Sugata Mitra has been saying).

Are there issues with this idea? You bet. I can think of several off the top of my head:

Parents out at work, kids at home…
Online learning works best with disciplined students…
The students may take courses that are not STEM-related
(However, if they are interested in another discipline or topic, these things could be brought into their learning along the way.)
The students may not take courses related to the Common Core standards
(However, this is not a big concern for me; as pounding everyone into a similar “mold” goes against the reality that each of us is different. We each have different gifts, skills, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, passions, interests, and preferences.)

But we’ve let these kids down — and make no mistake, we will all pay the price for this type of thing — one way or another. We need to help these kids discover the joy of learning…before it’s too late.

Calvin College professor: 18 reasons to save art education in elementary schools [VanReeuwyk ]

On 05/13/2013, in art, communications, creativity, education, education reform, global / globalization, K-12 related, Michigan, United States, by Daniel Christian

Calvin College professor: 18 reasons to save art education in elementary schools — from mlive.com by Jo-Ann VanReeuwyk

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Jo-Ann VanReeuwyk holds a piece of art she created called “Sheath, ”
which she made from grapevine and is displaying during a
Calvin Symposium on Worship in 2010.
Paul Newby II | MLive.com

From DSC:
A valuable list of contributions that we receive/experience from the arts!!! Here are 5 of them:

To participate in the arts is to be fully human.
Art is a way of knowing and a form of communication.
The arts teach problem-solving, risk-taking, creative thinking, collaborative thinking, innovative thinking. Indeed all of the higher level thinking skills.
Art helps form multiple perspectives. It gives voice. It helps us identify and express issues that are global, common to all people groups.
The arts emphasize value.
…

Here’s to summer! [Christian]

On 05/03/2013, in art, Daniel S. Christian, digital photography, Michigan, by Daniel Christian

HeresToSummerDanielChristian-May32013
(Ok, a little early, but now that Michigan has experienced some warmer weather, I’m game!)

Case study: Flipped classrooms work for students. Period. [Grebow & Green]

On 01/07/2013, in budgets, engagement / engaging students, flipping -- inverted learning, hearts -- matters of the heart, K-12 related, Michigan, society, by Daniel Christian

Case study: Flipped classrooms work for students. Period. — from knowledgestarblog.wordpress.com by David Grebow and Greg Green, principal at Clintondale High School in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Excerpt (emphasis DSC):

I’m a principal at Clintondale High, a financially challenged school near Detroit. I’m in charge of doing my best to make sure that Clintondale students get the best education possible when they walk through our doors.

There are constant hurdles to making this happen. We are a school of choice, so not all students come in with the same skill levels in reading, math, science or other subjects. Almost 75% of our students receive free or reduced-price lunch because of today’s economic climate, and a large part of our student population commutes from Detroit, which often times takes an hour or longer, especially if the bus is late.

Every year, our failure rates have been through the roof. The students weren’t paying attention, they weren’t doing their homework, they were being disruptive, or they weren’t coming to school at all. Sadly, these issues are not that uncommon, particularly in this economic climate, where the percentage of students who fall into the poverty category is increasing by the day.

…

To watch this happen every day, where it is your responsibility to try to provide the very best you can for the students, is beyond frustrating. It’s heartbreaking.

Our staff agreed that our failure rates were not good. But how do you go about addressing these issues with no money, no additional resources and no clear solution from the experts who already know the system is broken?

…

How do you get your staff on board with change you want to implement, but no one else has ever tried it on a mass scale? How do you get your students excited about learning when they’ve never shown much interest before?

You flip it. Here’s how it works…

From DSC:

Thanks Techsmith for helping out here. You demonstrated that there can be a higher calling for business — helping out our fellow mankind with tangible/concrete/immediate assistance.

Mobile furniture moves classrooms towards the future [Sims]

On 10/26/2012, in active learning, collaboration, learning spaces, learning theories, Michigan, smart classrooms, by Daniel Christian

Mobile furniture moves classrooms towards the future — from schoolconstructionnews.com by Torrey Sims

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Steelcase Education Solutions showcased its
collaborative learning furniture at CEFPI in San Antonio.

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Steelcase Education Solutions’ furniture
focuses on the concept of active learning.

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Excerpt:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The future of classroom furniture can now be found in more compact and flexible designs. Education Solutions, a division of Steelcase Inc., has redefined its approach to classroom furniture by incorporating designs that accommodate the needs of students, teachers and the educational approach of the future.

From DSC:
Being involved with planning our Next Generation Smart Classroom, what I especially appreciate about what Steelcase has done here is to allow for more flexible seating solutions. Faculty can have students quickly and efficiently re-arrange their seating configurations in order to enable greater collaboration. There are several other advantages/features in their offerings, but I wanted to highlight that one.

Learning Ecosystems

2 innovative programs that help students obtain a college degree

Calvin College’s January Series 2014: Some excellent presentations coming up!

Optimizing informal learning spaces: Ten tips for universities [Scott-Webber]

Comment on “Top 10: Classroom Seating” [media.designerpages.com]

Reflections on “Detroit goes bankrupt, the largest city to do so in U.S.” [Davey]

Herman Miller: Learning Spaces Sketchbook

Here’s to summer! [Christian]

Mobile furniture moves classrooms towards the future [Sims]

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