Beginning August 19th, Amatrol will be updating all of the student learning sites, including learnAmatrol.com and learnOxygen.com, from HTTP to HTTPS formatted websites. This added security measure is designed to more closely protect confidential student information as they use the eLearning websites. The HTTPS format provides added security for learner data to all of our customers. This changeover will not affect access codes, courses, passwords, quiz grades, or any other user information. The only difference is that data sent between your browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox) and the Amatrol websites is encrypted for security. Amatrol will be making the transition to Https starting on Friday, August 19th at 3:00PM EDT. During the changeover, access to learnamatrol.com and learnoxygen.com will be unavailable. A notice of this impeding downtime has been added to the eLearning websites, allowing users sufficient time to adjust their training schedules. Questions? Contact Moss for assistance.
3 Comments
We often talk about the advanced skills positions available in today's manufacturing, but we can't forget about the importance of the fundamentals, the basic skills that employers assume candidates have when they hire. We came across an article in Manufacturing Today that highlights the need for basic assembly skills: There was a time, not long ago, when employers could rely on new hires to possess rudimentary knowledge of basic assembly methods, schematic diagrams, and proper use of hand tools. These skills were the result of individuals who grew up maintaining their cars. Yet that way of life is largely a thing of the past, much to the dismay of employers. The current focus on advanced technologies and high-end skills is crucial and necessary, but you cannot overlook the need for basic skills, such as the ability to install bearings, lubricate machine slides, or align couplings. These skills range from welding to assembly to how to use tools effectively. These fundamental skills are as crucial today as they ever have been. Click here to learn what several companies are doing to combat this skills gap, and how Amatrol is providing curriculum and tools to address this need.
Despite their tuxedoed appearance, penguins aren’t always well mannered. In the aftermath of one particular penguin scuffle among endangered African Penguins at Mystic Aquarium, Yellow/Purple (AKA “Purps”) was found to have a nonfunctional flexor tendon in her ankle. Much like an injury to a person’s Achilles heel, damage to a penguin’s flexor tendon leads to pain and difficulty in motion. Once Purps’ injury was identified, the veterinary staff at Mystic Aquarium took action with a handmade boot to immobilize, protect and support the damaged foot. Yet the animal care team knew more modern solutions were available that would not only be more durable and less cumbersome for the small bird, but also require less time than handcrafting the boot. Mystic Aquarium’s Chief Clinical Veterinarian, Dr. Jen Flower, proposed 3D printing. Blog courtesy of 3D Systems.
The highly-regarded Brookings Institute recently published a compelling article by Senior Fellow, Mark Munro, " The Skills Supply Chain Must Change as Software Eats the World," about the changing face of workforce development. The article illuminates the recent evolution of "digitization," as well as exploring "a variety of training-system responses to the talent needs of industry." The impacts of software exist hand-in-hand with those of hardware, and they are long-term, so they require meaningful consideration by executives, educators and workers. Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing's Dennis Dio Parker addresses Toyota’s interest in having factory floor worker engaged with a particular "'technical core' of professional competencies, including in electronics, robotics controls, circuitry, and digital learning. 'We have to focus in detail on exactly what’s needed in talent coming into the company and whether potential workers have it,' said Parker. 'I will say we are having a difficult time procuring the talent we need because, first, there’s not enough of it now and second, we need that talent to be more talented, with more specific skills.'” We've been hearing a lot about the Maker Movement recently. But what is the Maker Movement? Adweek hits it on the head: The maker movement, as we know, is the umbrella term for independent inventors, designers and tinkerers. A convergence of computer hackers and traditional artisans, the niche is established enough to have its own magazine, Make, as well as hands-on Maker Faires that are catnip for DIYers who used to toil in solitude. Makers tap into an American admiration for self-reliance and combine that with open-source learning, contemporary design and powerful personal technology like 3-D printers. The creations, born in cluttered local workshops and bedroom offices, stir the imaginations of consumers numbed by generic, mass-produced, made-in–China merchandise. In other words, the Maker Movement is home to the do-ers, the inventors, the designers of our generation. The people who use creativity to create and do.
Makers benefit from a space that has the tools to spur their creativity - whether it's a Fab Lab or a Makerspace - this space is designed to give people the tools to "figure it out." Most are filled with the tools of the trade, from 3D printers, lasers, robotics, and more. These people are looking for efficiencies, and driving creators and manufacturers forward with new innovation. Have you developed or used a Makerspace? What makes a successful Makerspace? Share your tips in the comments section. Launching new technology isn’t as challenging as flying to the moon, but both require many of the same components for success. You need clear goals, good planning and testing, reliable and expert partners, and tools to get the job done easily and effectively.
BOXLIGHT|Mimio has created this comprehensive guide with input from our experts, who have experienced many successful technology launches. The lessons they learned along the way can help you navigate your next mission. Pitsco's latest curriculum, Expeditions, is creating a lot of positive buzz in STEM circles: the curriculum is more flexible, more rigorous, and better aligns to state and national science standards. The ITC (In the Cloud) classroom management system allows for immediate updates. The curriculum is more flexible than modules -- teachers can choose to implement as a rotational or whole class solution (or a combination of both!) The excitement is palpable -- people are excited to see this curriculum for themselves, and understand how it will best fit into their classrooms. This video shows a sample lesson of Engineering Rockets, and guides the user through a short introduction. What did you think? Keep asking questions -- at Moss, we're excited that YOU are excited. We want to help you understand this new curriculum, and how it can improve your district's STEM outcomes.
What more information? Check out this blog post (with FAQs). And contact your Education Specialist for more information -- we're here to help! Hands-on activities are important for every class, but paramount for science classes. The biggest challenge teachers have in incorporating class activities is the amount of set up time it takes to prepare for class. Labs can take up to 90 minutes – each day – to set up, which is costly for teachers.
Labdisc makes it possible to incorporate hands-on instruction while saving teachers in set up time without sacrificing quality instruction. The Labdisc is the only all-in-one wireless laboratory which teachers can apply in instruction. An all-in-one science lab in the palm of your hand, Labdisc is an important classroom tool:
Labdisc can integrate technology into science class with this affordable solution, and replaces science-class consumables with one easy-to-use tool. [Adapted from Pitsco Education’s Community Blog] Pitsco knows that adaptation is essential. The classroom has been changing, and Pitsco is changing with it. For the past several years, we’ve noticed a trend toward more flexible curriculum and environments. With the availability of open resources and easier access to collaboration, educators have more control over how they’ll deliver material and which pieces they would like to use. And we would like to help. We’ve embraced the changes as an opportunity to reconfigure our Modules curriculum to meet the varying needs of educators, and we will soon be releasing it under the name of STEM Expeditions. We’ve built it from the ground up based on Common Core State Standards. However, it’s also flexible enough to fit well with any standards your state might be using. Other standards we considered while writing this curriculum include ITEEA and NGSS. STEM Expeditions will be cloud based and incorporate STEM concepts into relevant, real-world activities. Each Expedition will begin with an Essential Question, which sets the focus and shapes students’ thinking. Career connections have always been an important part of our curriculum, and we will continue to weave those in. Students will work together to complete the activities. Collaboration and teamwork will be key. STEM Expeditions takes an integrated approach to education. Students are learning several different subjects at the same time and finding out why it matters. For example, in STEM Expeditions, they might be working through a hands-on science activity and can’t move forward without applying math in many forms. We’ve observed how well the integration works in our beta test sites, such as when students have to measure distances and work practical conversions. They might have learned this skill in an earlier grade, but without context conversions, it can be quickly forgotten. STEM Expeditions give students a reason to use concepts learned in other content areas again. If you’ve used our Modules titles, STEM Expeditions will be very familiar to you. We’ve simply updated them with today’s educator in mind. You could say we adapted. You’ll be able to use STEM Expeditions rotationally or whole class. We believe the curriculum we’ve created will be easier to tie into things that you are experiencing locally. I think your students will reach a deeper level of learning and that you’ll find it more flexible to suit your needs. Learn more: STEM education is evolving. Educators want more personalization in their classrooms, from more flexible curriculum and environments, more collaboration, and better technology integration. It sounds like a tall order, right? Pitsco Education has the answer with Expeditions. Pitsco’s cloud-based STEM Expeditions promote science inquiry, math practices, and engineering design principles by incorporating STEM concepts into real-world, relevant activities. Each Expedition begins with an Essential Question, which sets the focus and shapes students’ thinking. The overall goal is to create critical thinkers and problem solvers by presenting real-world challenges to engage learners with the subject matter. Students are exposed to career connections woven throughout each
Expedition. Fundamental to the Expeditions learning process are collaboration and teamwork. Students collaborate in pairs and in teams as they seek to answer their Essential Question while recording data in logbooks and data sheets to authenticate their learning. Expeditions are designed to be tailored to teachers and blend teacher-led instruction with student-directed, collaborative activities. These activities guide student exploration through hands-on discovery and experimentation. Activity Resources are delivered in various forms including interactive content, and videos provide instruction, relate procedures, teach concepts, and provide opportunities for practice. This curriculum ensures that teachers can teach and that students will develop the expertise that will benefit them in the classroom and beyond. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing new information regarding Expeditions. Stay tuned for that info! In the meantime, check out this post from Pitsco: |
AuthorYou have questions about STEM education? You're not alone! We're here to share ideas and provide thought-provoking commentary. Let us know your thoughts! Sign Up for Email Updates For Email Marketing you can trust. Categories
All
Archives
February 2017
|