Topic: Annenberg Media
Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.
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*** In the Spotlight for July ***
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- Linking to Current Events
- Distance Learning
- Connect Learning with Special Days
o Independence Day
o Earth at Aphelion
o Chocolate Day
o Health and Happiness with Hypnosis Day
o Parents' Day
- List for New Teachers
- VoD Now Log-in Free
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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***
Space Travel
The year 2009 has been designated as Year of Science and Year of
Astronomy -- and also marks the 40th anniversary of NASA's dramatic moon
landing by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin on the Sea
of Tranquility, viewed on television by an estimated 500 million people
worldwide on July 20, 1969.
Observe this major anniversary with Annenberg Media resources related to
the moon and space exploration.
> See a picture of the Apollo 11 moon landing
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=6899&fullsize=1
in the American Passages archive. The page mentions connections to the
literature of Thomas Pynchon and the shifting lines of demarcation
between science and science fiction.
> Mathematics Illuminated Unit 13, "The Concept of Chaos,"
http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/units/13/textbook/07.php
explains how mathematics made space flight and moon missions possible in
the past -- and how an understanding of chaos can propel the next
generation of space travel technologies.
> Learn about the psychosocial dynamics of space missions with
Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition
http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/24/e24expand.html Program
24, "Applying Psychology in Life."
> Increase your understanding of the moon and our solar system -- and
learn strategies for addressing children's own conceptions of the
heavenly bodies -- with Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space
Science http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/earthspace/ Sessions 7
and 8.
> To demonstrate the role and necessity of exponents, Algebra: In
Simplest Terms http://www.learner.org/resources/series66.html Program 3
discusses the space shuttle Challenger disaster of January 28, 1986 and
how the problem -- O-ring failure -- might have been predicted.
> The physical laws that lay the foundation for space travel are
explained in The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond
http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html Programs 8, "The Apple
and the Moon"; 24, "Navigating in Space"; and 26, "The Harmony of the
Spheres."
> In Program 1 of The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century
http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/page1.html watch the first segment,
"Lost in Space? Geography Training for Astronauts," for
behind-the-scenes footage of the space shuttle mission STS-63 with
Eileen Collins, the first female space shuttle pilot, and satellite
images of Earth.
> Test your basic knowledge of astronomy with the Private Universe
Project Teachers' Lab. http://www.learner.org/teacherslab/pup/
> Watch a dramatization of the formation of our solar system, as well
as footage from space missions and actual interplanetary photography, in
"Tales From Other Worlds," from the series Planet Earth.
http://www.learner.org/resources/series49.html Learn about the features
and histories of the moon, Earth, and other heavenly bodies.
> The second half of the program Calculating Change
http://www.learner.org/resources/series36.html spotlights a statewide
educational program in New Mexico in which students are asked to build
model space shuttles. The segment also features an interview with Dr.
Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic female astronaut.
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Ununbium: It's Elementary!
The periodic table of the elements will now have its 112 cell filled
with the superheavy element Ununbium. Originally created from zinc and
lead in an accelerator in Germany on February 9, 1996, the new element
was officially recognized in May 2009 and has a mass number of 277.
Ununbium, abbreviated to Uub, literally means 112; a permanent name is
expected to be chosen sometime this July.
Teach about Ununbium with the help of our resources on atoms, chemistry,
and the Periodic Table.
> Essential Science for Teachers: Physical Science
http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/physicalsci/ reviews the basics
of the particle/atomic model of matter as well as common children's
ideas about matter and how to address them in your teaching.
> For a basic understanding of atomic structure, watch The Mechanical
Universe...and Beyond http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html
Program 49, "The Atom."
> The World of Chemistry http://www.learner.org/resources/series61.html
Programs 6 and 7 cover various aspects of atomic structure and the
periodical table.
> Reactions in Chemistry
http://www.learner.org/workshops/chemistry/workshop1/ Workshop 1, "Atoms
and Molecules," features a panel of teachers discussing their own
strategies for teaching about atoms. Observe the actual lessons of high
school teachers Tom Pratuch; Pernell Williams; Leslie Pierce, Ph.D.; and
Sharon Walton.
> Learn the history and specifics of the periodic table, plus the
characteristics of its elements, with our Periodic Table interactive.
http://www.learner.org/interactives/periodic/
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*** DISTANCE LEARNING ***
Welcome to summer! As you plan for upcoming semesters, take note of the
following information regarding your use of Annenberg Media distance
learning resources.
//What's New//
Coming fall 2009. (Available for licensing spring 2010) Art Through
Time, a new 13-part series that includes a free online textbook, guide,
and coordinated Web site. Call 1-800-LEARNER (532-7637) for a free preview.
//Important Reminders//
- We would like to remind colleges that a license fee has been required
as of fall 2006 for the use of our video content in your distance
learning program.
- The following distance learning courses are each supported by an
in-depth coordinated Web site -- complete with an accompanying guide or
textbook -- to enhance teaching and your students' learning experience:
American Passages, Bridging World History, Democracy in America, Ethics
in America II, The Habitable Planet, The Learning Classroom, Mathematics
Illuminated, Rediscovering Biology.
- Our DVDs and online Video on Demand (VoD) are closed captioned.
Audio-described DVDs for your visually impaired students are available
upon request.
//Special Incentives//
- Summer 2009 special incentive on math and science courses. For schools
currently licensing Against All Odds: Inside Statistics or College
Algebra/Algebra: In Simplest Terms, we are offering a 20% discount on
your license fee to adopt our new course Mathematics Illuminated. For
schools currently licensing Earth Revealed or Planet Earth, we are
offering a 20% discount on your license fee to adopt our new course The
Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science.
- Ethics in America. We have combined the licensing for the original
Ethics in America and Ethics in America II. This will allow you to use
any of the hypothetical cases from either series to create an exciting
course highlighting new and historical debates from eminent leaders in
government, business, science, and academia.
- In view of the current economic situation facing everyone this year,
there will be no price increase for licenses. Also, don't forget to
order your DVDs in time for the fall semester at our special pricing for
students enrolled in a distance learning course.
//Talk to Us//
- We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your enrollment
numbers for the summer semester. You can send them via email to Nancy
Williams at nwilliams.learner@gmail.com .
- Visit us at the following conferences over the next few months: Kansas
Summer Institute, July 30-31; and Wisconsin Distance Learning, August
5-6. Please stop by our booth or attend our presentation. We would love
to connect!
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*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***
Independence Day (July 4)
> "Revolutionary Perspectives,"
http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/amerhistory/units/4/ the fourth
unit of America's History in the Making, examines several facets of the
political context in which the Declaration of Independence was signed.
> Watch A Biography of America
http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/ Programs 4 and 5 to review
the history of American political and national independence. Within each
unit explore Web-based resources such as maps, timelines, and
interactive activities.
> Fireworks aren't just an exciting show -- they're also chemistry!
Learn about the science behind fireworks displays with Reactions in
Chemistry http://www.learner.org/channel/workshops/chemistry/workshop3/
Workshop 3, "Energetics and Dynamics."
> See the events surrounding American independence not in isolation,
but as developments of Western civilization. Watch The Western Tradition
http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html Program 37, "The American
Revolution," and Program 38, "The American Republic."
> Explore the literature of independence with American Passages: A
Literary Survey Unit 4, "Spirit of Nationalism: Declaring Independence,
1710-1850." http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit04/ Authors include
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Phillis Wheatley.
> Read the lyrics to all four verses of the U.S National Anthem, The
Star Spangled Banner and hear (or sing along) to a rendition of the song
in the American Passages archive
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=8151
and read the lyrics to all four verses.
Earth at Aphelion (July 4)
Aphelion marks the moment at which the earth is farthest from the sun
and thus receives less radiant energy than at any other time of the
year. In 2009, the earth is farthest from the sun on July 4 at 0200 UTC
(Coordinated Universal Time).
> A chart on this page
http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/measurement/session2/part_b/
shows the distance of each planet from the Sun. From Session 2 of
Learning Math: Measurement.
> How could it be that even graduates of MIT and Harvard believe --
incorrectly -- that the seasons originate in the changing distance
between Earth and Sun? Watch the program A Private Universe
http://www.learner.org/resources/series28.html to understand how our
private theories about the world can interfere with teaching and learning.
> Find explanations of the laws governing planetary orbits and related
phenomena in The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond.
http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html In particular, see
Programs 4, 9, 19, 21, 23, and 25.
Chocolate Day (July 7)
> Read about Europeans' first impressions of chocolate in the article
"Conquests of Chocolate"
http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/pdf/MOH/MAP_MOHarticle.doc
(Word format). Then visit this page
http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/2/addtlResources/#THist
which links to a radio program on the history of chocolate.
> See page six of this reading in PDF format
http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/support/reading_16_1.pdf
from the "Food, Demographics, and Culture" unit of Bridging World
History. http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/
> Today, chocolate is so popular that candies made from cocoa are used
to raise money for school events and charities. The book The Chocolate
War by Robert Cormier is one the texts featured in "Asking Questions,"
http://www.learner.org/libraries/makingmeaning/makingmeaning/asking/ the
third unit of the Making Meaning in Literature video library. The unit
includes a Venn diagram for comparing The Chocolate War with the book
Tears of a Tiger.
Health and Happiness with Hypnosis Day (July 22)
> Observe hypnosis taking place -- performed by Dr. Zimbardo himself --
in "The Mind Hidden and Divided,"
http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/14/e14expand.html Program
14 of Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition.
> "Hypnotic Dissociation and Pain Relief," a brief video clip from the
series The Mind: Teaching Modules,
http://www.learner.org/resources/series150.html demonstrates the
potential benefits of hypnosis.
Parents' Day (July 26)
Every fourth Sunday in July has been Parents' Day since 1994, when a
Congressional Resolution was signed into law by President Bill Clinton.
The day was set aside to celebrate good parenting and honor parents who
make sacrifices for the wellbeing of their children.
The following resources can help parents better understand their
children's psychological development and meet their educational needs
and challenges:
> The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years
http://www.learner.org/resources/series59.html
> Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition
http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/
> Seasons of Life http://www.learner.org/resources/series54.html
> Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1
http://www.learner.org/workshops/lala/
> Looking at Learning...Again, Part 2
http://www.learner.org/workshops/lala2/
> School Testing--Behind the Numbers
http://www.learner.org/resources/series186.html
> Calculating Change http://www.learner.org/resources/series36.html
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*** LIST FOR NEW TEACHERS ***
If you're new to teaching, you might benefit from a new list of online
resources available at
http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/21/100-helpful-websites-for-new-teachers/
.
Find the Learner.org Web site listed under "Video Sites," along with
other pages you may find helpful as you embark on your new career.
Established teachers looking for professional development or online
resources may also find material they can use in the classroom.
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*** VOD NOW LOG-IN FREE ***
Visitors to learner.org who want to see video online will no longer need
to sign on to watch. The video on demand feature has been converted to a
click and play system whereby users click on a video icon and the video
starts playing automatically. Future enhancements to the system will
include video in a flash format that will make the content more easily
accessible for Mac users.
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Posted by draweiner
at 1:14 PM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 30 June 2009 1:18 PM EDT
