HP Catalyst Academy to Offer Free Summer Professional Development Sessions on STEMx Topics

Leila Meyer of THE Journal reports that ISTE, New Media Consortium, and HP are partnering to offer 15 free summer on-line professional development modules on STEMx (x=other subjects such as computer science, nanotechnology, biotech, etc., incorporating 21st century skills) beginning in June 2013.

"The first 15 online mini-courses available through HP Catalyst Academy include:

• Building a Framework for Digital Fabrication;
• ClassroomSalon.org: Social Textbooks;
• Computational Thinking in Secondary Schools;
• Connecting Students to their World;
• Game Design for Learning;
• Geospatial Tech for STEMx Learning;
• Helping Students Change their World through App Design;
• InkSurvey: Graphical Response Tool for Real-Time Formative Assessment;
• Multi/Interdisciplinary STEMx Teaching;
• Planning Enriching ICT-Mediated STEMx Experiences;
• Polar Bears in a Changing Climate;
• Project-Based Learning with Real-World Problems;
• Remote Labs;
• Weaving Social Media into STEM Teaching; and
• Strategies for Formative Assessment through e-Portfolios.

"Further information about HP Catalyst Academy can be found at catalyst-academy.org."

Read more at http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/04/18/hp-catalyst-initiative-offers-free-online-professional-development-courses-for-stemx-educators.aspx#f9OuYGWi1PEUmcBU.99

SBAC Releases Draft Common Core Assessment Blueprints

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), of which California is a participant, has released its draft Common Core State Standards assessment blueprints for both English/Literacy and Math.  These assessments will begin being used by states in the 2014-2015 school year.  To view the draft, visit http://www.smarterbalanced.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Smarter-Balanced-Preliminary-Test-Blueprints.pdf

On a related note, the Next Generation Science Standards second round of public review is expected to be announced in January 2013.  California is also one of the states which is participating in this effort.  For more information, go to http://www.nextgenscience.org/.