October 25, 2010

By: Kim R. from Philadelphia, PA
Comments: 30

Posted By: Kim Rakosky
On: 5/19/2007 9:33:39 PM

For months I deleted emails from this site because I thought it was more spam. Recently a colleague sent me a link to a video about backpack design he thought my class might find interesting. They did and so did I. The site has lots of design-related short videos that may tie in with something your class is learning about, or it may spark a whole new learning adventure. I'm going there now to watch the movie about rollercoaster design. Check it out. https://www.thefutureschannel.com/index.php

Posted By: Deborah Klose
On: 5/30/2007 7:42:16 PM

I decided to check out this website and 20 minutes later I realized I was still there watching! I watched several of the mini movies. There are so many interesting and thought provoking movies that would be good to use as an introduction to a lesson. There is a large variety of subjects to choose from. It is definitely worth checking out.

Posted By: Miranda Thompson
On: 5/30/2007 8:30:39 PM

Thank you so much! I was just having a discussion with our math teacher about some interesting ways we could get the students hooked on algebra. Of course, finding a real world connection to why this stuff is important is so key. The movies are short, high interest, and perfect for what we are trying to do. Where was this site 8 months ago!!!

Posted By: sudha singh
On: 5/31/2007 10:54:42 PM

Wow! I just visited the site and was mesmerized like a kid given endless possibilities of learning. Being an avid hunter of new learning tools and resources over the net on a regular basis, I was surprised at how I had missed out on this one. Well, here I am acknowledging that we in the twenty- first century are moving at a much faster pace of learning, facing a plethora of challenging activities that are superb tools to enhance brain food and great learning motivators. I strongly profess that we should regularly share our successful practices and incorporate changes when deemed necessary.

Posted By: Kim Rakosky
On: 6/1/2007 12:35:58 AM

Glad my find has been helpful! My 4th graders can't believe that there is a lady with a real job of designing Barbie dolls! These movies really are great motivators for discussion, digging deeper, and looking at everyday things in a whole new way.

Posted By: sudha singh
On: 6/14/2007 10:04:50 PM

I think it would be a great idea that we Philadelphia CON participants meet ,and share our success stories with each other. Any takers?

Posted By: Kim Rakosky
On: 6/17/2007 12:29:06 AM

Good idea Sudha. I'll talk to Lisa. And try to dig up my email list from last summer. One hot week of work for the weary, and then the prize! Here's to another year in the bag, And now back to the Futures Chanell: This week we watched movies about math and drumming, and skateboard design--the kids really got into that one. Talk to you soon.

Posted By: George Latos
On: 6/18/2007 7:56:03 AM

Great movies and ideas. Thanks for the lead.

Posted By: Catherine Perry
On: 6/19/2007 2:41:14 PM

What a wonderful way to end the year! Kids are so difficult to engage, particularly if it involves reading, writing and, believe it or not, drawing. They are so conditioned to use technology and computers for entertainment and liesure only that it becomes really important to introduce them as tools for learning. I already reserved the laptop cart and can't wait to show them this site!

Posted By: Susan Miller
On: 6/19/2007 5:35:03 PM

Great website! I will definitely find a way to use this site as a resource. I'm sure that my students will be excited about seeing some of these short films. Thanks.

Posted By: Stephanie Mulvihill
On: 6/19/2007 10:19:53 PM

Awesome! This is a perfect way to introduce students to what you can actually do with design!

Posted By: maxine feldman cohen
On: 7/15/2007 4:28:24 PM

I plan tao look at the webisite and explore this idea with Susan Miller since we work together. I am interested in ideas people have about using films from the website when we are in a room with one computer and about 13 students. Perhaps asking the computer teacher to use some time in the lab or all crowd around our one computer?

Posted By: Alberto Romero
On: 7/17/2007 8:26:15 PM

As we prepare for back to school, I'm also looking into this site. If anyone has some latest info. please pass it on. I'm especially interested in incorporating elements of design.

Posted By: Robin Little
On: 10/30/2007 9:43:15 PM

We purchased the DVD and CD of lesson plans last year to use as engagement activities as we develop our own engineering curriculum. Our teachers have found these very valuable and eyeopeners to many students. Many are just long enough to provoke creative thinking in the minds of our students and lead to great discussions. Another valuable resource is www.teachersdomain.org. It has short clips and lesson plans for engineering and science lessons. In the engineering files, there are many on design and the design process. Check it out!