Evaluate the News, Read for Evidence, Navigate SEL Challenges & More

Mission to Increase National STEM Literacy

eCYBERMISSION, an Army Educational Outreach Program, is a free web-based STEM competition for students in grades 6–9. The program is committed to answering the nation’s need for increased national STEM literacy and to expanding STEM education opportunities across the country. eCYBERMISSION is looking for educators, community leaders, parents, and professionals interested in STEM to create teams of students. Complete your teams’ registration by November 21 and your students will receive a free STEM Kit. Visit eCYBERMISSION.com to register today.

October 15, 2018

edu.mergevr.com

Mobile Learning

Tools to Help Students Visualize Abstract Concepts

MERGE Cube and MERGE Goggles are powerful learning tools that help students visualize and understand abstract concepts by giving them memorable, authentic, and tactile learning experiences using virtual and augmented reality technology.

Funding & Recognition

Get Funding for Your Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Project

Enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest and challenge your students to positively impact their community while winning technology for your school. By applying today, you will immediately unlock your opportunity to raise funds for new technology and supplies for your classroom on DonorsChoose.org, and Samsung will match 50 percent of the amount raised, turning every $20 donation into $30, or $100 into $150 (up to $600). Quantity is limited, so apply now.

Digital Learning • Learning Support

Curriculum Modules Supporting Disciplinary Argumentation

The Reading, Evidence, and Argumentation in Disciplinary Instruction (READI) Project, a multi-institutional initiative headed by the University of Illinois at Chicago, supports disciplinary argumentation from multiple sources in middle school and high school science and history/social studies classes.

Professional Growth

Online Educational Technology Programs

Expand your skills in instructional design and learn to evaluate the impact of technology on learning. The educational technology programs offered online through Penn State World Campus, in collaboration with the College of Education, can help you incorporate the use of technology and the internet to more effectively engage learners and improve the quality of their learning experiences. Courses are taught by the same faculty who teach in residence. The Education programs have been consistently ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News & World Report. Choose from the following programs:

Master of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology.
Graduate Certificates in e-Learning Design; Educational Technology Integration; Teaching and Learning Online in K–12 Settings.

robotics and computer coding

STEM • STEAM • STREAM

Online Coding and Robotics Tournament

In October the Intelitek STEM and CTE Education Foundation (ISCEF) kicks off the 2018 Cyber Robotics Coding Competitions (CRCCs) in 14 states and the District of Columbia. The CRCCs are the first-of-its-kind, free-to-participate, online coding and robotics tournament for students in grades 5–9 that enables schools and districts to engage students in STEM learning by using game-based competitions that are both safe and fun.

STEM • STEAM • STREAM

Competition to Win a Share of $2M in Technology and Supplies

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow challenges students in grades 6–12 to show how STEM can be applied to help improve their local communities. Spark a passion for STEM subjects, build critical thinking and leadership skills, and earn recognition for your school. Plus, you have a chance to win a share of $2 million in Samsung technology to empower students to build a better tomorrow. Applying is simple:

STEP 1: Register to create your account.
STEP 2: Start your application and identify your STEM idea.
STEP 3: Submit your application by October 30, 2018.

History of American Indians

Professional Growth

Webcast on Transforming Teaching and Learning About American Indians

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is offering a free symposium broadcast on November 1, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (ET). Educators are invited to watch live on that day to hear experts discuss the need and explore how to transform education about Native Americans to inspire a more comprehensive vision of history and shared experiences.

Visible Learning for Science

Based on the renowned research of John Hattie, Visible Learning for Science reveals the precise instructional approach to use at each phase of the learning cycle—surface, deep, and transfer—for maximum-impact science teaching. Take a sneak peek with these hugging and bridging transfer methods.

$Teach math with music.$

Funding & Recognition

Grants for Using Music to Teach Mathematics

The Esther Mendlesohn Fund of the Mathematics Education Trust and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) are sponsoring Using Music to Teach Mathematics Grants for educators who are members of NCTE and are interested in incorporating music into the elementary school classroom to help young students (preK–grade 2) learn mathematics.

Digital Learning • Learning Support

Solution for Managing IT Assets

NetSupport DNA empowers educators and technicians with a complete solution to manage all classroom devices and school-wide IT assets. As technology use continues to expand in schools, it’s essential that educators are equipped with tools to not only improve the quality of technology-led instruction but also maintain a safe learning environment while ensuring IT assets are used effectively. In addition to providing instructors with tools to interact and collaborate with all types of student devices in their classrooms, NetSupport DNA allows IT staff to centrally manage and support IT assets and endpoints across a school, or district-wide. Powerful internet safety features help promote positive digital citizenship with internet metering, keyword/phrase monitoring, webcam controls, plus much more to help protect vulnerable students. NetSupport DNA provides all the elements for successful IT management across all platforms and all types of devices.

K-12 Technology Readership Survey

Tell Us About Yourself!

As a recipient of Big Deal Media’s K–12 Technology eNewsletter, you are invited to tell Big Deal Media how you use this publication and how you participate in the purchase of technology products and services. (The survey will take about five minutes to complete.) Surveys submitted IN FULL by October 31, 2018, will be entered into a random drawing to win a $50 American Express gift card. Big Deal Media is giving away one $50 card for every 100 completed surveys.

Deadline: October 31, 2018, for completed surveys

Internet safety with Google.

Funding & Recognition

Grant from Google to Get Connected

Google is helping to educate children about good online behavior as part of a partnership with the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the nonprofit DonorsChoose.org. Schools that adopt the program “Be Internet Awesome” will receive resources and training about digital safety, among other things.

STEM resources

STEM • STEAM • STREAM

Innovative Interactions to Improve STEM Learning

The Kids Ahead program is designed to inspire young people to learn about STEM through innovative interactions in the physical and virtual worlds. The program is part of a larger national initiative led by Southern Methodist University to improve STEM skills in young people.

Service Grants

Funding & Recognition

Grants to Engage Youth in Meaningful Service Activities

Youth Service America is now accepting applications for the 2019 MLK Day of Service Grants to activate youth volunteers on MLK Day of Service Weekend (January 18–21, 2019).

checkology.org

Digital Learning • Learning Support

Virtual Classroom to Develop News Literacy Skills

Checkology virtual classroom, created in a partnership between the News Literacy Project and the Facebook Journalism Project, is an immersive online learning hub where students in grades 6–12 can hone their critical thinking skills to become and stay informed.

Physics Grant from CDW

Funding & Recognition

Grants for Innovative Ideas That Will Improve Physics Teaching

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) encourages high school physics teachers to experiment and improve on their teaching practices in the belief that as teaching practices improve, physics enrollment and excitement among students will increase.

Autism Games centervention.com

Digital Learning • Learning Support

SPOTLIGHT! On a Spectrum of Possibilities

Every day, students with autism bring life experiences into the classroom that can make learning a challenge. Immersive online games can help these students navigate their unique social or emotional challenges and build self-confidence. These games can also help classmates understand the experiences of their peers with autism.

Game to Improve Social and Emotional Skills
Adventures Aboard the S.S. GRIN, a nine-episode online game, is designed to teach social skills to children aged 7–12 who experience social behavioral problems and lack of motivation.

Game to Educate Children About Autism
College students in Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center have developed a free 30-minute video game called Prism to help elementary-aged students understand the experiences of their peers with autism.

Future ready library media specialist

Professional Growth

Framework to Involve Librarians in the Digital Transformation of Learning

The Future Ready Librarians initiative is intended to raise awareness among district and school leaders about the valuable role librarians can play in supporting the Future Ready goals of their school and district.

Mobile Learning

Mobile Video Synchronization and Collaboration Platform

CrowdFlik is a free location-based video share app that allows a group of users observing the same event from multiple perspectives to combine all their photos or video footage.

BOOKMARK THESE!

Big Deal Media provides timely, relevant resources in a rapidly changing educational environment, created with insight and attention to detail by seasoned educational publishing professionals and practicing K–12 educators.

Browse the latest free K-12 Technology ebook sponsored by CDW•G, as well as the free ebooks Resource Essentials for Educators of English Language Learners, Reaching ALL Students, and "Ten Things You Should Know About Generation Z" sponsored by Quill. And be sure to "Like" Big Deal Media on Facebook and follow Big Deal Media on Pinterest, and Twitter (@TheBigDealBook.com) to learn how other educators are using Big Deal Media resources and to share your own ideas and experiences.

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Subscribe to Big Deal Media’s “Amazing Resources for Educators” on edWeb.net to get frequent updates on grant deadlines, free resources and hot, new websites for 21st century learning. And, of course, you can share any great new resources that you’ve unearthed!

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