Education Commons^™

Imagination To Innovation: Design Thinking For Young Learners, Lindsey Herlehy, Cassandra Armstrong

Publications & Research

Design thinking is the intersection of engineering design and social-emotional learning. Today’s learners must be empathetic problem solvers capable of defining problems and designing appropriate solutions to meet the needs of the user. In this session, participants will experience design thinking through literature-based scenarios appropriate for early learners. They will analyze and compare their own models to those of others and compose a lesson that will engage students in the design thinking process.

Naval Engineering For Grades 4-6, Patrick Young

Publications & Research

Reading The Girl with a Mind for Math, we learn about the career of Raye Montague, an African-American woman who broke every barrier to pioneer computer-aided ship design and become the first female program manager in the United States Navy. Lessons are provided for using free, online software to design ships while exercising several Common Core Math standards and NGSS standards for engineering design.

E2: Equity And Excellence Framework, Adrienne Coleman, Traci Ellis

Publications & Research

Both the United States and the United Nations have identified, examined, and put out a call to action to address the educational inequities that have disproportionately and negatively affected racially minoritized students, as well as those from a lower socioeconomic background, and poorer countries. Data from the Nations Report Card and the Global Monitoring Report provide evidence of disparities in academic performance and access to equitable educational resources. The outcome of these inequities impacts countries throughout the world, as their residents will not possess the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly evolving global society, nor possess the critical …

Saving Skee-Ball: Applying Engineering & Science With A Fun Storyline, Christine L. Moskalik

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Building And Supporting A Research To Publication Pipeline, Sowmya Anjur, Jean Bigger, Joyce Symoniak

Publications & Research

Participants in this session will learn how IMSA is generating and disseminating scholarship and incorporating students into its research to publication pipeline.

We will also be discussing the benefits of including our student’s best work in DigitalCommons; students having the opportunity to own a publication before leaving high school and inspiring other students to do the same, witnessing their own growth in critical thinking and written communication skills, developing student portfolios, and graduating with an understanding of the importance and benefit of being connected to a global community of scholars.

The Open Educational Resources (OERs) being shared through IMSA’s institutional …

E2: Equity And Excellence Framework - A Pathway To Advancing Educational Equity And Excellence, Evan M. Glazer, Adrienne Coleman

Publications & Research

Considering there is a national and global equity focused call to action, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy engaged in a process to institutionalize and operationalize Equity and Excellence to address educational inequities. This process included creating an educational case for engaging in Equity and Excellence, policy development, capacity building to engage in equity work, an inclusive and comprehensive data collection methodology, data meaning making, as well as an equity and excellence plan and scorecard development. This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of educational equity, share tools to assist educational institutions in drafting data-informed equity and excellence policy/plans, …

Got 99 Problems? Pbl Can Help!, Nicole Ross, Allison Albert

Publications & Research

Interested in using Problem Based Learning ((PBL) in the classroom but concerned over implementation time, classroom management and assessments? Our PBL training may help! In this session we introduce our training structure which relates traditional PBL perspectives to current K-12 instructional trends. In doing so, we highlight how frequently utilized inquiry based, student-centered tools are essential in any PBL activity, and help mitigate classroom time and management issues. Further, as PBL is used to engage students in content learning, we address how traditional assessment, used alongside authentic opportunities, can aid in the PBL process.

Math & Construction: Curriculum, Community, & Career Connections, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

The Art Of Getting It Wrong: Developing Persistence, Nicole Ross, Allison Albert

Publications & Research

Winston Churchill once said “success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Unfortunately, highly structured traditional lab activities are often confirmatory in nature and do not require or encourage students to engage authentically in the scientific process. These confirmatory labs do not provide students with the opportunity to fail, reevaluate and redesign – all necessary components in science and research. In this session, participants will explore and reflect on an open-ended activity that provides a more authentic learning environment and better reflects the nature of science.

Math & Machining: Curricular Connections For The Classroom, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Leading Learning & Development (L&D): Ele Leader Members Test-Drive Josh Bersin Academy, Richard D. Busby, Josh Bersin Academy, Nomadic Learning

Publications & Research

ELE would like to recruit members to create a 5-week cohort to experience semi-synchronous collaborative learning. As learning professionals, we’re faced with a largely new landscape and increasing demand for our work, as organizations begin to see why learning is now a business imperative. The Leading L&D Program by Nomadic Learning explores these changes and offers tools for developing new strategies that align with what both employees and organizations need to thrive. In the Leading L&D program, learners will get hands-on, practical guidance and time-tested wisdom from peers, and will explore together:

1. What is the benefit of learning in cohorts …

Aviation Integration: Promoting Careers Through Curricular Connections Within The Math Classroom, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

5th -12th grade teachers, curriculum/instructional leaders, & CTE directors will: 1) discover aviation-related careers, connections, and pathways that can be promoted within the math classroom, 2) gain knowledge of topics, tech, and tools that can be integrated within the mathematics curriculum, and 3) acquire lots of RESOURCES to help educators positively impact teacher instruction, student learning, and career awareness. Careers include: Load Master, Engineer, Mechanic, Pilot, Air Traffic Controller, Crash Reconstructionist, GIS Analyst, Machinist…. Aviation topics include: Forces of Flight, Time Zones, Drones, Satellite Imagery, GPS, CNC Programming... Math Concepts include: Angles, Area, Coordinate Geometry, Decimals, Fractions, Intersecting Circles, Linear …

Playing With Push Toys And Technology: Solving A System Of Linear Equations, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

When students are given the opportunity to utilize technology and engage in hands-on activities within a mathematics class, they can experience mathematics in action. Mathematical action technologies “offer students opportunities to interact...in ways that are not possible (alone) with paper and pencil” (McCullough et. al, 2021, p. 739). One such mathematical action technology, for instance, involves a calculator-based ranger (CBR) which collects and displays motion data in real-time. As CBR activities impact students’ abilities to interpret and model “physical phenomena” which enhances graphical understanding (Kwon, 2010), I have incorporated various CBR activities that involve students walking in front of a …

Flags Of Africa: Promoting Cultures & Connecting Math Concepts, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

Objectives

1. To share ideas for using flags of Africa and technology to engage students with math concepts: counting, fractions, percentage, aspect ratio, linear equations/inequalities, domain/range, angles/distances/slope, classifying triangles, area of polygons, slope, parallelograms, & coordinate geometry.
2. To highlight technology such as Google Slides, Google Sheets Pixel Art, GeoGebra, Desmos, and CNC Machines that help enrich the teaching of math concepts.
3. To provide ideas for promoting discussion of culture, history, & geography within the math classroom.

Little Changes, Big Impact: Integrating Evolution In Science And Ela, Christine L. Moskalik, Nicole Ross

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Playing With Code: Big Ideas For Early Learners, Lindsey Herlehy, Cassandra Armstrong

Publications & Research

For young children growing in today’s digital world, the acquisition of coding and computer programming skills has become a popular and appropriate focus in education. Beyond engaging in technology and coding applications as consumers – the passive act of sitting in front of a screen and merely pressing buttons without a high level of thought – early childhood students are capable of high-quality programming tasks through play-based learning experiences. As producers, our youngest students may explore the open-ended nature of computer programming and coding through design, art, and innovation. Engaging in coding builds valuable and transferable practices such as problem …

Aviation Integration: Topics, Tech, & Career Connections For Enhancing Math Concepts, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

5th -12th grade teachers will: 1) discover how to incorporate aviation concepts, tech, & tools into math curriculum & 2) gain ideas, corresponding activities, & LOTS of resources to enhance the teaching & learning of math concepts. Aviation Topics: Forces of Flight, Time Zones, Drones, Satellite Imagery, GPS, CNC Programming... Math Concepts: Angles, Area, Coordinate Geometry, Intersecting Circles, Linear Functions, Shapes, ...

Playing With Math And Science In The Early Childhood Classroom, Cassandra Armstrong, Lindsey Herlehy

Publications & Research

Young students are equipped with the curiosity and creativity to be successful scientists and mathematicians. In today’s classrooms, strong foundational skills in STEM promote success for years to come. Through play, young students can subitize, sort, draw, recognize patterns, and explore loose parts. Participants will actively take part in several activities highlighting each of these skills.

Learning Systems In Schools And At Work, Richard D. Busby

Publications & Research

Key Points in this Post:

1. Learning systems in schools differ from learning systems at work
2. The content is different
3. The context is different
4. The complexity is different, specifically about promotion criteria

Question explored: Is it time to assess the current K-12 education system paradigm in order to adapt to the future of work?

I Learned From A Struggling Student, And You Can Too., Richard D. Busby

Publications & Research

Themes:

1. A learner’s ability to articulate their own learning struggle is a skill worth developing
2. A learning leader’s ability to facilitate the discussion to articulate specific learning obstacles is essential
3. Specificity about “the problem” mitigates the risk of a “poor solution” being implemented

The article presents a case example of insights from a student, then describes three observations about education/learning systems:

1. Consider Content Complexity vs Pace of Change
2. Be precise about assessing the defining the specific gap between expected performance and current performance
3. Differentiate problems "learning" from problems with the "learning solution"
4. Analyze the learning system (diagram included)

The article …

The Power Of Stakeholder Input: How Bringing Diverse Voices To The Table Helps Your Equity Journey, Michael Karner, Nashwa Mekky

Publications & Research

The General Assembly finds that this State has an urgent and collective responsibility to achieve educational equity by ensuring that all policies, programs, and practices affirm the strengths that each and every child brings with diverse background and life experiences and by delivering the comprehensive support, programs, and educational opportunities children need to succeed.

The Equity Journey At Isbe, Carmen I. Ayala, Nakia Hall, Michael Karner, Nashwa Mekky, Eric Veal Jr.

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Travel The World With Flags: Using Desmos To Explore Design With Equations & Inequalities, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

Explore and discover how to replicate flags of various countries using math concepts within Desmos such as: linear equations/Inequalities, absolute value equations/Inequalities, equations/Inequalities of circles, and domain/range.

Maximizing Remote Learning: Activities, Ideas, & Resources For High School Math Teachers, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

High school teachers will discover activities, ideas, and resources for teacher maximizing the teaching of mathematics

The Great Water Design Challenge: A Collaboration With Noaa Planet Stewards, Elizabeth Martinez

Publications & Research

Session Goals

• Define design challenge
• Generate ideas for classroom design challenge
• Outline design challenge for your classroom

NOAA Planet Stewards NESTA Article

Creating Career Pathways Though Curriculum Connections In Math & Science Classrooms, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

Pathways to Work Partners will discover how the Illinois Math & Science Academy (IMSA) - Center for Teaching & Learning is helping to promote career pathways and curricular connections through the professional development of teachers and the creation and integration of classroom to career connections related to Prek-12^th grade curriculum focused on STEM concepts.

Parental Opinions And Perceptions Regarding Informal Stem Education, Christine L. Moskalik

Publications & Research

The purpose of this research was 1) to develop a new instrument to explore factors parents value regarding informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enrichment experiences for their children in Illinois, and 2) to adapt and use an existing instrument to assess the degree to which parental perceptions of their child’s STEM attitudes and beliefs align with the child’s actual STEM attitudes and beliefs. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was implemented over two parts. During Part I, a new survey was developed to quantitatively measure the degree to which certain factors are valued by parents when considering STEM enrichment …

Microcredentials To Promote Stem Professional Learning, Angela Rowley

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Hybrid Learning Strategies: Complexity Vs Content Change, Richard D. Busby

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Tesler's Law And Learning Complexity, Richard D. Busby

Publications & Research

Tesler’s Law is an idea that complexity is conserved in a given situation. For example, an easy to use application (simple user experience) means that the complexity is transferred to the underlying code and network infrastructure.

References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_conservation_of_complexity

Complexity Law

Tesler’s Law has implications to learning design. This article identifies five.