Beyond Integration

We continue our summer series with some stop-motion action. Get ready for a wild ride into the world of stop-motion videos, where ordinary objects come to life and imagination knows no limits. It's like playing director with your favorite toys, creating a mini-movie masterpiece right at your fingertips.  Check out Education App Store for the apps discussed in this podcast. ⁠ Lego Movie Maker ⁠ Stop Motion Studio ⁠ I Can Animate Check out Common Sense Media Parent Guides to: Lego Super Hero Movie Maker ⁠ Stop Motion Studio ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

In our last episode, we shared Amanda's experience with Geocaching and we went in depth about this fun, outdoor treasure hunt. This episode continues the conversation with a special guest, Tasia, who embarked on her very first geocaching experience with us. Listen in to hear another perspective as she shares insights on our recent adventure.

Our 2nd episode in our summer series is about Geocaching. Geocaching offers a unique way to explore the outdoors, discover hidden places, and engage in a worldwide treasure hunt. It appeals to people of all ages and abilities, from families seeking outdoor adventures to seasoned adventurers looking for a new challenge. The activity promotes physical activity, problem-solving, and navigation skills while fostering a sense of community among geocachers. Listen to this episode as we discuss what it is and enjoy listening to Amanda's first experience with Geocaching. New to Geocaching? Here is a link for more information and to download the app on your phone.  https://www.geocaching.com/play

Social Media is becoming more and more popular among our teenagers. We are also more aware of the mental impacts of Social Media on teens. This episode shares some guidelines and basic rules to help you teach your child how to use social media responsibly and safely. This episode is appropriate if your teen is already using Social Media or is getting started. Resources discussed in this episode: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/what-are-some-basic-social-media-rules-for-middle-schoolers https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/what-are-some-basic-social-media-rules-for-high-schoolers   https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-help-teens-manage-the-effects-of-social-media-on-their-mental-health   https://www.apaservices.org/advocacy/news/testimony-prinstein-protecting-children-online.pdf

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tim Swick, The Computer Immersion Magnet Lead at Sandlapper Elementary School. He shares how his teachers and students have used the popular game, Minecraft, in school. Using Minecraft Education in the classroom has engaged students in learning and building future-ready skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, and systems thinking. It is pretty interesting to hear just how much our children are learning through "play." See below for more information about the school or contact Dr. Swick. Sandlapper Elementary School Dr. Tim Swick  tswick@richland2.org   @Itecswick   Minecraft for Education Professional Development Transcript of Episode

image of cogs turning inside a circle representing a man's brain.   "Things are simple. Situations are clear. Hurdles are easy. It's our mind which makes it complex and complicated." - Anonymous . From advertisements to social media algorithms, the study of thinking plays an important role in our 21st century society. Research around thinking and how students process their thoughts or how they hold attention, store and retrieve memories, then select appropriate responses and actions (University of Cambridge, 2023). When considering how we can differentiate or vary the information processing part of learning, four thought perspectives emerge. The Differential Perspective . Even though children may possess intelligence and the ability to think, they don't always think the same way or in the same "logic". This "difference" in how they think and their logic of thinking forms the basis for this view. Based on the responses to a number of tasks and t