Computer Science Related Finalists in the Innovative Education Forum 2011

Yesterday Microsoft announced the second round of finalists for the Innovative Education Forum. Over in the Teacher Tech blog they listed brief summaries of all of this round’s finalists. I encourage you to read through them. I wanted to highlight the computer science related finalists though in hopes of encouraging some of my regular readers to think about entering next year as well as the show off some of the interesting things that teachers are doing already. I like the way that computer hardware and software is being used to make for active learning, for getting students to participate in learning (and teaching) and getting students involved in their school beyond being merely recipients of information.

Louis Zulli Jr., Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School (Saint Petersburg, FL)
Project: Center for Advanced Technologies News and Information Portal (CATNIP)
CATNIP is an ongoing project to create a school intranet that integrates campus communication, curriculum planning and facilities management into one site with students working in collaborative teams to develop this school-wide resource.

Donna Thomas, Sherwood High School (Sandy Spring, MD)
Project: Solving a Real World Problem with Game Design & Development
Sherwood's Transition Academy for Reaching Success (STARS) is an educational, confidence-building venue provided by Sherwood's teaching staff to assist the rising 9th graders in learning more about Sherwood and preparing them for their first year at Sherwood. The curriculum was developed and delivered by Mrs. Christine McKeldin. With the current situation of Sherwood's roof needing replacement, the school is closed during the summer so a group of Computer Science students at Sherwood developed a game to support Mrs. McKeldin's course with the intent of providing incoming freshman with an orientation to their new school complete with virtual school tour and sample classes. Students used Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio to develop this interactive school tour.

Johnny Kissko, Frenship High School (Wolfforth, TX)
Project: Xbox 360 Kinect in Education: Same Classroom, New Identity
Mr. Kissko explores the integration of Kinect with Xbox 360 and gesture-based learning in a variety of educational settings. Kinect integration fits within the parameters required to operate public schools making active learning within enclosed walls now a tangible possibility. Students learn how to effectively integrate gesture-based learning and use a bank of resources to consult for future exploration as the Kinect education community develops and evolves.

In case you missed it, you can read about the first round finalists at 2011 U.S. Innovative Education Forum - Round One - Finalists Announced! And I highlighted a computer science related entry at Teaching Students To Create Their Own Business

Comments

• Anonymous
  June 08, 2011
  Great  Read!