Let the making begin! Sewn Circuits

The new school  year is now half over. Here is an update on one project I have taken on with my students; the Soft Sewn Circuit.

•  Students learn basics about circuits by building Paper Circuits using LEDs, a 3v battery and copper tape.  The paper circuit we created also included making a switch. 

• Students learn basic sewing techniques of threading needle, tying a knot at the end of thread big enough to not go right through the fabric, sewing a basic straight stitch, mastering the responsibility of returning a needle without losing it (I teach middle school-7th and 8th graders are completing this project) 
• I gave students a practice piece of fabric to practice on first.  Once a student showed me their practice stitches making a pocket with their fabric, they could move on to the next step.
• Design Plan -Student's must design and plan their sewn circuit first before receiving materials.
•  Viewing techniques of the original design on youtube at:  
  Parallel Soft Circuit Badge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy-wL5BKweI
  Video created by:  By @missesartech
•  Students will review Mrs. Parrott's Sewn Circuit Help Sheet as needed to complete project (I will post a link to this document soon - it includes all steps needed to complete the project).
• Making the sewn circuit - getting it to light up when battery inserted
• creating the cover design / badge

Here are some images of completed projects:

            

    

   

Final??? thoughts on Sewn Circuits....  I will do this project again.  This is a difficult project. It takes quite a bit of guidance/repeating myself, walking around the room constantly, demonstrations, untangling thread, undoing stitches, et cetera ...  But, I loved seeing my students sewing.  I love to keep moving.  The boys as well as the girls worked hard.  Many times students exclaimed that they would have their mom's sew for them and they didn't need to know how to sew.  We discussed  sewing on that missing button or mending other torn seams.  

Did they learn about circuits?  YES!  I front loaded with lessons on circuits with Paper Circuits with switches. 

My biggest challenges?  Finding the right resistor for the challenge.  A little Ohms Law helped too.Working with steel thread is also a challenge because it is extremely hard to thread a needle with steel thread if the eye of the needle is too small.  I tried to use needle threaders with my students but they would break them quickly.  The second time I did the project with my 2nd trimester students, I purchased needles with large eyes.

Let's keep making!

In my next post, I will discuss the Pneumatic/Hydraulic Machine project taken on by my sixth grade students this year.

Makerspace Classroom - Let's Get Organized

Makerspace Classroom - Let's Get Organized!

It is what I've been hoping for; students intently working with materials and creating.  It is a new academic year and I am teaching a full load of explore classes this year.  You can call me the Explore Makerspace teacher.  My classroom, has undergone some changes.  The individual seats are being replaced by collaborative tables.  Students are sitting in groups of 3 or 4 depending on the class.  Time to dig in to new ideas and bring out the maker experiences for my 150 students per trimester.
As a member of the MakerEd NCSD group, I have been hearing about excellent maker experiences  to bring to students.  I am diving in headfirst into the "makerspace" classroom. 

In the coming year, my students will work with a variety of electronics, circuitry, building, engineering/designing, coding, 3D printing and more.  I hope to share my experiences here.

Before the first day of school I brought in several book cases and clear shoe boxes to organize materials such as wiring, LED's, batteries, copper tape, craft sticks, hot glue guns, pipe cleaners, recycled bottles and cans, etcetera.  Clear boxes and labeling helps when looking for materials.  Peg board and hooks organize tools such hammers, saws, screw drivers, and more..  A designated staging area for each of the different classes, helps make transitions (4 minutes between classes) smooth.  Each class has their own designated location on the white board for their learning goals and project updates.  And at the end of each class, during cleanup, projects in process are placed in designated class locations for easy finding when students next work on the project.

Our First Projects:  I have three different types of classes.  Two sixth grade, two seventh and eighth grade classes and an advanced STEM class with video production.  Each class needs to cover different material so that the next years students do not duplicate.   Since this is really the first time I have ever had a makerspace classroom, everything is NEW!  As in any startup, gathering needed materials takes time and organized lists.  Be sure to plan ahead and have enough materials for all students..  In my next post, I will share how our first projects are going:
Sixth Grade - Hydraulic and Pneumatic machines
7/8 th Grade - Soft Circuits
STEM - Mechanics of timers and the Engineering Design Process.

It's Almost Time

As I wait for the presentation time to arrive I find myself with the usual nerves and anxious stomach. I am prepared.   Fortunately, a presenters room was available and I was able to print out things that I needed.  Although I wonder if I'll be able to get those out and use them..  I have a great deal of resources available at my fingertips.  I even brought candy.  I checked the room in advance and discovered many large round tables.  The presentation room was full for the session I observed.  Every seat was filled including extras.  The doors to the room were closed because the session was full...  Hopefully, my session will be just as full.  However, I wonder, will the people at the table be able to hear me?

Earlier today, I observed the Google sessions with lines down the hall.  Not everyone would be getting into the session they wanted.  Do you think this is a sign?  Google is a leader in classroom resources.  I was surprised to look at their schedule and not find a session on Google Sites.  I am interested in why.  And I am glad that is one of my preferred workshop topics.  Seems to me that all of the Google Apps are popular sessions these days.

I took a quick glance into the Exhibitor's Hall.  Whew!  It is huge!  I think I'll need a strategy when I return.   I wonder what treasures I will find there?  Usually, the most useful tools and resources I have found come from other teachers and presenters.  Connections and collaboration with discussion and a chance to explore it provide the best rewards.

OK.  Well, with a half hour to go before my time.  I think I'll settle down and then settle in to my space.

Hello ISTE 2016! I am here!

Larissa Attends ISTE 2016

Just arrived at ISTE 2106 today.  Got to the Denver Convention Center first thing this morning, got my badge and began the experience.  Quite few months ago I applied to present my research on Enhancing Technology Use within a Technology Community of Practice completed while obtaining my MA in Learning Technologies from Pepperdine University in 2015.  I was accepted as a presenter and will be sharing my research tomorrow, Monday,  at 12:45.


I have never been to an ISTE conference.  I have been presenting at several conferences recently, SDCUE 2015, CLMS Tech Fair 2016, and Edtec2u in Escondido, CA.  But I have not presented my research paper.  Previously I presented on Creating Google Sites for the Classroom and Using Google Forms in the Classroom.  After the extensive literature review I conducted for my Action Research and the time invested in creating a Technology Community of Practice at my school (Tech Munch!), I am ready to share.  I just hope I have the right things at my table to enhance and engage those in attendance.  I checked and there are people who are planning to attend my session - at least 6!  Hooray!  I look forward to the experience.  I am wondering?  What will the sound be like? There are many other tables in the room.  Hope the environment is conducive to a good discussion.

Class website sets up good communication between teacher, students, and parents. Prepare now!

The first day back to school can be daunting or exciting or both.    As teachers return they are taking their computers out from storage, dusting them off, setting up their classrooms after a deep summer cleaning, and planning for the first days of school.   Starting out the beginning of the year with all the tools for communicating with parents and students sets the tone for the rest of the school year.  What better way to start the year than with a centralized digital hub for students to find resources for your classes? 

While not the only website option out there, Google Sites is a free tool for easily creating website pages that include classroom calendars, interesting resources,   homework, upcoming assignments and projects, forms and documents, as well as links to other outside resources.  The various google tools work well together and can often be embedded inside a google site.  For example a slide show can be programed to play automatically and be embedded in your site giving an automatic tour of your classroom.  An announcement page can be customized into a daily homework listing.  A calendar can be embedded on a page showing assignments, projects, or field trips coming up.   Promote your website often and use it in your daily classroom routine.  Update and show it to your students as they walk in to your classroom each day.  They will know what to expect for the day and can update their planners at that time. 

Consider this scenario:  Middle school student A has not turned in homework for several days.  You ask what happened and they say they forgot to write it down in class.  Their planner is empty even though you provide students time in class to note what they need to do in their planners.  You can demonstrate where to go online to find the information they need right away.   There are many other scenarios you might encounter but a parent will always be relieved to know there is a place they can look to help their child be successful in class. 

Make communication tools a priority in your school year planning.  Start the year with these resources already created and available on the first days of school, at back to school night and parent conferences.  Printing out your classroom expectations including website and email contact information is standard at the beginning of the year.  Consider this:  Provide parents with a business card or sticker with your classroom website noted for easy access.   A refrigerator magnet is an interesting alternative.  Print inexpensive business cards (I tried Vista Print online) with your basic classroom contact info (including your website information and email) and affix a small peel and stick magnet to the back.

Good communication is a key to success in education and beyond.  Teachers, students, and parents will all benefit from a classroom that starts the year with communication tools designed and used from day one.  Teachers with questions on how to get started should contact their technology coach or contact me at lptechinspired@gmail.com 

Ready to bring something new to your school year?

A very cool teacher wrote recently that she is ready to bring it to her classroom this year.  I have always arrived at the new school year rested and motivated with dreams of what the new year will bring and this year is no different.  I just completed (on July 15^th) my Master of Arts in Learning Technologies and I am feeling more inspired and motivated than ever before. 

My Journey:  Why did I decide to complete my Masters after 13 years of teaching?  I wanted to attain meaningful and transformative personal and professional development beyond my school district.   I sought a program that would present me with a higher mountain to climb.    Would this extra commitment on my part help me to make the change I sought in myself?  Well, a year ago I embarked on a learning adventure different than any of my previous educational experiences.  Not only that, last year,I became my school’s full time technology coach.  

What did I study?  Many topics were integrated into my year long masters program:  Educational history – have you read Dewey?  Social entrepreneurship, social media, leadership, social connections, design for learning, and of course learning theories – wow!  I conducted action research on communities of practice and how they benefit a teacher learning community.  Stay tuned to this blog to hear more about communities of practice or you can explore my research.

How will I help the community I serve?    I work with a dedicated staff of teachers committed to the success of their students.  They are professionals and I value their vast knowledge and experiences.  I am dedicated to awakening the joy of learning for all students while providing them the opportunities and experiences they need for future success.  With that as the ultimate outcome, I will work to transform teaching and learning - designing experiences that facilitate learning; connecting students to their world using the latest tools.  For example, if students are writing, how about communicating through a blog or collaborative online document?  If students are creating, how about using a tool that allows them to create in new ways: Twine, maker spaces, coding? There are so many exciting new tools out there for learning.  Teachers need support not only to get exposure to the latest tools but also to get strategies for using them effectively.  I will document the resources I find, create, and curate, in this blog space.  This year will be amazing and I am ready to bring it!  Are you?