Constructing Modern Knowledge 2008

Logo for Constructing Modern Knowledge 2008If this visual strikes your teacher-imagination, then you need to check out the Constructing Modern Knowledge 2008 event, organized by Gary Stagger.  His faculty includes Cynthia Solomon (Monsignor Haddad Middle School), Melinda Kolk (The Constructivist Consortium), David Wagner (Tech4Learning), Sylvia Martinez (Generation YES), and John Stetson (..finest educator I’e ever met – GSS).  Attending would also give you a chance to hear Peter Reynolds, Bob Tinker (a personal hero of mine), and Alfie Kohn.

I like that this appears to be an attendee driven event, but Stager suggests that among the possible topics will be:

  • Creativity and learning
  • Constructivism and constructionism
  • Project-based learning
  • 1:1 Computing
  • Problem solving across the curriculum
  • Student leadership and empowerment
  • Reinventing mathematics education
  • Computer science as a basic skill
  • Storytelling
  • School reform
  • Tinkering
  • Effective professional development
  • Sustaining innovation

2 thoughts on “Constructing Modern Knowledge 2008”

  1. David,

    Thanks so much for sharing our event with your readers.

    It has long been a dream of mine to create a 21st learning environment in which educators spend long periods of time immersed in creative computer-rich projects collaborating with world-class practitioners.

    Constructing Modern Knowledge is dedicated to exploring not only “the how” of using computers in the learning process, but also “the why” for doing so. Having a fearless educator like Alfie Kohn participate indicates that this is not your average tech workshop.

    In order to realize and sustain the sorts of learning opportunities made possible by computers, we need to create more productive contexts for learning. Alfie Kohn challenges many assumptions about teaching and learning with humor, candor and evidence.His work is indispensable.

    I’m grateful to have been able to dig into my Rolodex and connect our participants with stunning educators. It would be easy to organize an event in which attendees sit quietly and witness presentation after presentation. Constructing Knowledge is about active participation in creative project development, collaboration and thoughtful discussions. I would much prefer a participant leave our event saying, “I spent time with Peter or Alfie,” rather than “I heard Bob speak.” As a result, the bulk of each day will be dedicated to minds-on activities in both formal and informal settings.

    Some of your readers might not recognize other members of our faculty. Bob Tinker and Cynthia Solomon are old friends of mine who played a major role in inventing many of the technologies educators use on a daily basis. Cynthia was one of tree people who invented Logo and has spent the past 40 years promoting learning via computation. She currently teaches middle school after a distinguished career in academia and technology R&D. She co-authored, along with Seymour Papert, the seminal 1971 article, “Twenty Things to Do with a Computer.” http://tinyurl.com/5pusxo She is also author of the critical book, “Computer Environments for Children.” http://tinyurl.com/5jla8h

    Bob Tinker worked at TERC for many years before founding The Concord Consortium (http://www.concord.org). He is one of the world’s leading thinkers on the use of technology to push the frontiers of math and science learning. If you ever used a science probe connected to a microcomputer or participated in an online collaborative project, you have Bob to thank since he is the inventor of Microcomputer-Based Labs and the National Georgraphic Kids Network.

    David Wagner and Melinda Kolk are well-known for their development of creativity software for classrooms as the founders of Tech4Learning. Before that they worked for Roger Wagner and promoted Hyperstudio as a platform for mutimedia authoring. Sylvia Martinez was an aerospace engineer and video game designer before becoming President of Generation YES and creating materials to empower and foster student technology leadership. John Stetson is an extraordinary educator who has spent more than a decade volunteering to teach music, robotics, guitar-making, photography, literature, telescope construction and astronomy to children most neglected by society.

    Most of all, we look forward to the learning that will emerge between participants and the faculty. This will occur during project development time, discussions and even during a BBQ at a minor league baseball game or during a night out in Boston.

    I personally can’t wait for July 28-31 and hope some of you will be able to join us for some fabulous learning adventures!

    -=Gary
    http://wwww.constructingmodernknowledge.com

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