The Wire

We have finished our May 2nd Mouse Squad Educators Conference workshop list, including 9 professional development opportunities: workshop descriptions are below.  If you haven't already registered online for the conference, please do so ASAP (advanced registration is required, and free!).  Go to http://mouseconference.wikispaces.com for more information/registration.

Scratch Animation

This workshop will offer an introduction to Scratch, a new free programming software developed by the MIT Media Lab that allows youth and adults to create original games and animations incorporating graphics, sound, and text. Our philosophy in the classroom is to encourage students to be creators, not just consumers of video games. This paradigm shift puts students in the drivers seat as they develop critical math, literacy, and technology skills in a very motivating arena. Presented by Emilie Reiser of Vision Education & Media.

PC Garage: A Crash Course in Computer Reuse and Recycling

Have a bunch of computer that cannot run MS Windows XP or Vista and you need to use them or lose them? Then this course is for you! We will show you how to put new life back into that old machine, using Free and Open Source Software - and if you need to, how to properly recycle them. Session led by Selso DaSilva of PC Garage/Community Free Software Organization and Christine Datz-Romero of the Lower East Side Ecology Center.

Game Thinking: What Gaming Tells Us About Teaching and Learning

Join Karen Sideman of Games4Change and Parsons School of Design for a discussion of gaming and learning. Learn how good gaming environments make for good learning environments, and how educators can capitalize on game-play to access content and concepts from throughout the curricular landscape.

Intro to Digital Film-making

Digital film-making is an effective complement to almost any curriculum, is an important 21st century communication skill, and is also a lot of fun. Most schools already have many of the resources required to support this activity, and have students and faculty that would leap at the chance to utilize it. This workshop offers the chance to learn about the additional equipment and skills required to support digital film-making in your school. Presented by Peter Rudoy of Vision Education & Media.

Fund-raising Fundamentals: Grantwriting for Educators

Facilitated by Lynn Schnarr, Mouse's Director of Development, this introductory grantwriting workshop will provide educators with new fundraising tips, tools, and funding opportunities. With special guest speakers from Donors Choose and information from Best Buy, we will work through an actual grant application process and build your capacity to secure financial support for your classroom and your school.

Basic Robotics: Lego Mindstorm

The growing field of LEGO® Robotics offers youth an exciting opportunity for hands on learning in math, science, technology. This workshop will offer facilitators an introduction to the LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT Robotics system and programming software, and present possibilities for multidisciplinary classroom learning with Robotics. Presented by Mike Dauphin of Vision Education & Media.

Screencasting, Images and Text; Writing How To's That Help

Dan Beeby, Associate Director of Services for Columbia University's Center for New Media Teaching and Learning will show participants how to create how to's that help. Participants will get a sense of how and when to use which tools and learn effective tactics for screencasting, including how to storyboard, record, edit and produce a "screencast," a narrated movie of what computer users see on their monitors. Faculty advisors will be able to take what they learn from this workshop and create screencasts with their Mouse Squad students.

The Geek Squad Way

Moira Hardek, Geek Squad Special Agent 1054, will discuss how Geek Squads provide technical support to customers and share tips for helping your Squad advertise and gain recognition for its accomplishments. Moira will also demonstrate activities that are part of the Geek Squad Summer Academy.

NYC Department of Ed Chief Information Officer Roundtable

The CIO's office would like to connect with educators from around the city--to answer questions, hear concerns and share DIIT's vision for technology and support in schools. Bruce Lai, Chief of Staff for Ted Brodheim, Dr. Katherine Tsamasiros, Director of Strategic Planning and Peter LaBarca, Borough Technology Manager from the CIO's office will facilitate the roundtable.