Annenberg Media Update July 2009

Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

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*** In the Spotlight for July ***
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- Linking to Current Events
- Distance Learning
- Connect Learning with Special Days
     o Independence Day
     o Earth at Aphelion
     o Chocolate Day
     o Health and Happiness with Hypnosis Day
     o Parents' Day
- List for New Teachers
- VoD Now Log-in Free

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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

Space Travel

The year 2009 has been designated as Year of Science and Year of Astronomy -- and also marks the 40th anniversary of NASA's dramatic moon landing by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin on the Sea of Tranquility, viewed on television by an estimated 500 million people worldwide on July 20, 1969.

Observe this major anniversary with Annenberg Media resources related to the moon and space exploration.

> See a picture of the Apollo 11 moon landing http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=6899&fullsize=1 in the American Passages archive. The page mentions connections to the literature of Thomas Pynchon and the shifting lines of demarcation between science and science fiction.

> Mathematics Illuminated Unit 13, "The Concept of Chaos," http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/units/13/textbook/07.php explains how mathematics made space flight and moon missions possible in the past -- and how an understanding of chaos can propel the next generation of space travel technologies.

> Learn about the psychosocial dynamics of space missions with Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/24/e24expand.html Program 24, "Applying Psychology in Life."

> Increase your understanding of the moon and our solar system -- and learn strategies for addressing children's own conceptions of the heavenly bodies -- with Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space Science http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/earthspace/ Sessions 7 and 8.

> To demonstrate the role and necessity of exponents, Algebra: In Simplest Terms http://www.learner.org/resources/series66.html Program 3 discusses the space shuttle Challenger disaster of January 28, 1986 and how the problem -- O-ring failure -- might have been predicted.

> The physical laws that lay the foundation for space travel are explained in The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html Programs 8, "The Apple and the Moon"; 24, "Navigating in Space"; and 26, "The Harmony of the Spheres."

> In Program 1 of The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/page1.html watch the first segment, "Lost in Space? Geography Training for Astronauts," for behind-the-scenes footage of the space shuttle mission STS-63 with Eileen Collins, the first female space shuttle pilot, and satellite images of Earth.

> Test your basic knowledge of astronomy with the Private Universe Project Teachers' Lab. http://www.learner.org/teacherslab/pup/

> Watch a dramatization of the formation of our solar system, as well as footage from space missions and actual interplanetary photography, in "Tales From Other Worlds," from the series Planet Earth. http://www.learner.org/resources/series49.html Learn about the features and histories of the moon, Earth, and other heavenly bodies.

> The second half of the program Calculating Change http://www.learner.org/resources/series36.html spotlights a statewide educational program in New Mexico in which students are asked to build model space shuttles. The segment also features an interview with Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic female astronaut.

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Ununbium: It's Elementary!

The periodic table of the elements will now have its 112 cell filled with the superheavy element Ununbium. Originally created from zinc and lead in an accelerator in Germany on February 9, 1996, the new element was officially recognized in May 2009 and has a mass number of 277. Ununbium, abbreviated to Uub, literally means 112; a permanent name is expected to be chosen sometime this July.

Teach about Ununbium with the help of our resources on atoms, chemistry, and the Periodic Table.

> Essential Science for Teachers: Physical Science http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/physicalsci/ reviews the basics of the particle/atomic model of matter as well as common children's ideas about matter and how to address them in your teaching.

> For a basic understanding of atomic structure, watch The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html Program 49, "The Atom."

> The World of Chemistry http://www.learner.org/resources/series61.html Programs 6 and 7 cover various aspects of atomic structure and the periodical table.

> Reactions in Chemistry http://www.learner.org/workshops/chemistry/workshop1/ Workshop 1, "Atoms and Molecules," features a panel of teachers discussing their own strategies for teaching about atoms. Observe the actual lessons of high school teachers Tom Pratuch; Pernell Williams; Leslie Pierce, Ph.D.; and Sharon Walton.

> Learn the history and specifics of the periodic table, plus the characteristics of its elements, with our Periodic Table interactive. http://www.learner.org/interactives/periodic/

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*** DISTANCE LEARNING ***

Welcome to summer! As you plan for upcoming semesters, take note of the following information regarding your use of Annenberg Media distance learning resources.

//What's New//

Coming fall 2009. (Available for licensing spring 2010) Art Through Time, a new 13-part series that includes a free online textbook, guide, and coordinated Web site. Call 1-800-LEARNER (532-7637) for a free preview.

//Important Reminders//

- We would like to remind colleges that a license fee has been required as of fall 2006 for the use of our video content in your distance learning program.

- The following distance learning courses are each supported by an in-depth coordinated Web site -- complete with an accompanying guide or textbook -- to enhance teaching and your students' learning experience: American Passages, Bridging World History, Democracy in America, Ethics in America II, The Habitable Planet, The Learning Classroom, Mathematics Illuminated, Rediscovering Biology.

- Our DVDs and online Video on Demand (VoD) are closed captioned. Audio-described DVDs for your visually impaired students are available upon request.

//Special Incentives//

- Summer 2009 special incentive on math and science courses. For schools currently licensing Against All Odds: Inside Statistics or College Algebra/Algebra: In Simplest Terms, we are offering a 20% discount on your license fee to adopt our new course Mathematics Illuminated. For schools currently licensing Earth Revealed or Planet Earth, we are offering a 20% discount on your license fee to adopt our new course The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science.

- Ethics in America. We have combined the licensing for the original Ethics in America and Ethics in America II. This will allow you to use any of the hypothetical cases from either series to create an exciting course highlighting new and historical debates from eminent leaders in government, business, science, and academia.

- In view of the current economic situation facing everyone this year, there will be no price increase for licenses. Also, don't forget to order your DVDs in time for the fall semester at our special pricing for students enrolled in a distance learning course.

//Talk to Us//

- We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your enrollment numbers for the summer semester. You can send them via email to Nancy Williams at nwilliams.learner@gmail.com .

- Visit us at the following conferences over the next few months: Kansas Summer Institute, July 30-31; and Wisconsin Distance Learning, August 5-6. Please stop by our booth or attend our presentation. We would love to connect!

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*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

Independence Day (July 4)

> "Revolutionary Perspectives," http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/amerhistory/units/4/ the fourth unit of America's History in the Making, examines several facets of the political context in which the Declaration of Independence was signed.

> Watch A Biography of America http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/ Programs 4 and 5 to review the history of American political and national independence. Within each unit explore Web-based resources such as maps, timelines, and interactive activities.

> Fireworks aren't just an exciting show -- they're also chemistry! Learn about the science behind fireworks displays with Reactions in Chemistry http://www.learner.org/channel/workshops/chemistry/workshop3/ Workshop 3, "Energetics and Dynamics."

> See the events surrounding American independence not in isolation, but as developments of Western civilization. Watch The Western Tradition http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html Program 37, "The American Revolution," and Program 38, "The American Republic."

> Explore the literature of independence with American Passages: A Literary Survey Unit 4, "Spirit of Nationalism: Declaring Independence, 1710-1850." http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit04/ Authors include Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Phillis Wheatley.

> Read the lyrics to all four verses of the U.S National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner and hear (or sing along) to a rendition of the song in the American Passages archive http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=8151 and read the lyrics to all four verses.

Earth at Aphelion (July 4)

Aphelion marks the moment at which the earth is farthest from the sun and thus receives less radiant energy than at any other time of the year. In 2009, the earth is farthest from the sun on July 4 at 0200 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).

> A chart on this page http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/measurement/session2/part_b/ shows the distance of each planet from the Sun. From Session 2 of Learning Math: Measurement.

> How could it be that even graduates of MIT and Harvard believe -- incorrectly -- that the seasons originate in the changing distance between Earth and Sun? Watch the program A Private Universe http://www.learner.org/resources/series28.html to understand how our private theories about the world can interfere with teaching and learning.

> Find explanations of the laws governing planetary orbits and related phenomena in The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond. http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html In particular, see Programs 4, 9, 19, 21, 23, and 25.

Chocolate Day (July 7)

> Read about Europeans' first impressions of chocolate in the article "Conquests of Chocolate" http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/pdf/MOH/MAP_MOHarticle.doc (Word format). Then visit this page http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/2/addtlResources/#THist which links to a radio program on the history of chocolate.

> See page six of this reading in PDF format http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/support/reading_16_1.pdf from the "Food, Demographics, and Culture" unit of Bridging World History. http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/

> Today, chocolate is so popular that candies made from cocoa are used to raise money for school events and charities. The book The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is one the texts featured in "Asking Questions," http://www.learner.org/libraries/makingmeaning/makingmeaning/asking/ the third unit of the Making Meaning in Literature video library. The unit includes a Venn diagram for comparing The Chocolate War with the book Tears of a Tiger.

Health and Happiness with Hypnosis Day (July 22)

> Observe hypnosis taking place -- performed by Dr. Zimbardo himself -- in "The Mind Hidden and Divided," http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/14/e14expand.html Program 14 of Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition.

> "Hypnotic Dissociation and Pain Relief," a brief video clip from the series The Mind: Teaching Modules, http://www.learner.org/resources/series150.html demonstrates the potential benefits of hypnosis.

Parents' Day (July 26)

Every fourth Sunday in July has been Parents' Day since 1994, when a Congressional Resolution was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The day was set aside to celebrate good parenting and honor parents who make sacrifices for the wellbeing of their children.

The following resources can help parents better understand their children's psychological development and meet their educational needs and challenges:

> The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years http://www.learner.org/resources/series59.html

> Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/

> Seasons of Life http://www.learner.org/resources/series54.html

> Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1 http://www.learner.org/workshops/lala/

> Looking at Learning...Again, Part 2 http://www.learner.org/workshops/lala2/

> School Testing--Behind the Numbers http://www.learner.org/resources/series186.html

> Calculating Change http://www.learner.org/resources/series36.html

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*** LIST FOR NEW TEACHERS ***

If you're new to teaching, you might benefit from a new list of online resources available at http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/21/100-helpful-websites-for-new-teachers/ .

Find the Learner.org Web site listed under "Video Sites," along with other pages you may find helpful as you embark on your new career. Established teachers looking for professional development or online resources may also find material they can use in the classroom.

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*** VOD NOW LOG-IN FREE ***

Visitors to learner.org who want to see video online will no longer need to sign on to watch. The video on demand feature has been converted to a click and play system whereby users click on a video icon and the video starts playing automatically. Future enhancements to the system will include video in a flash format that will make the content more easily accessible for Mac users.

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