Learn It in 5

"I'd learn more about using technology if I just had the time."

How many times have you heard - or maybe said - that phrase above?  Do you have 5 minutes?  5 minutes may not be all the time you need to completely become proficient in using a web 2.0 tool, but it is enough time to get a good grasp on what that tool is, and how it might be something useful for your classroom or personal use. 

"Learn it in 5 is a powerful library of how-to videos, produced by technology teachers, for the purpose of helping teachers and students create classroom strategies for today's 21st century's digital classroom. These step-by-step how-to videos walk teachers through Web 2.0 technology, demonstrating how to use Web 2.0 applications like blogs, social networks, podcasts, interactive videos, wikis, slidesharing and much more."  (Description taken from the Learn it in 5 website.) 

Here's a sampling of the how-to videos available on the site -

How to Use Wallwisher

Social Bookmarking with Delicious

How to Use Blogger

How to Use YouTube in the Classroom

There are several other how-to's on the site, as well as a blog on Digital Classroom Strategies.  This looks like a good site that is worth your time - especially if you only have 5 minutes of it to spare.  :-)

Start Planning Now for Capitol Leadership

Students who are interested in public policy development and advocacy may be interested in attending the October 10-13, 2010 Capitol Leadership Event in Washington, D.C.  The event is open to any FCCLA member and includes leadership and advocacy training, meeting members of Congress and other Federal officials, and touring our nation's capitol. 

The fact sheet for Capitol Leadership provides the tentative schedules for members and advisors, as well as what is included in the registration package. 

Missouri FCCLA plans to send up to 4 state officers and 2 advisors to this event, as we have done now for several years.  We'd love to see you there, too!

Hey, What Does It Take to Do YOUR Job?

What does it take to do your job?  That's a question in the minds of teens that will be signing up for FCCLA Career Explorations sessions during the 2010 National Leadership Conference in Chicago.  I must say I am very impressed by the high quality career exploration sessions offered this year!  They are designed to increase career awareness and encourage students to investigate different career paths.

For full information on the Career Exploration opportunities (including a description of each session) please visit the National FCCLA website.  Members can sign up there for sessions - first come, first served, so don't procrastinate!  Please be sure these sessions do not conflict with other responsibilities throughout the National Leadership Conference.

Here are the sessions being offered this year -

• "Merchandise Mart Dream Homes Tour" - Chicago Merchandise Mart - Interior Design Careers
• "Careers in Design" - Harrington College of Design - Interior Design, Communication Design, and Commercial Photography Careers
• "Exploring the Culture of Hospitality" - Kendall College Hospitality Management - Hotel, Restaurant, Casino, Facility Management; Meeting and Event Planning; Cruise and Amusement Park Management Careers
• "Planning and Practicing for Your Career Success" - Kendall College School of Business - Advertising, Banking, Hospitality, Insurance and Other Business Careers
• "What It Takes To Be Excellent!" - Kendall College School of Culinary Arts - Food Industry, Research and Development; Nutrition; Food Science Careers
• "The In's and Out's of Teaching" - Kendall College of Early Childhood Education - Education, Teaching and Training Careers
• "Account Services Director" - McCormick Place - Convention, Sales Careers
• "Hyatt Hotels Opportunities and Careers" - Hyatt Regency Chicago - Hotel and Hospitality Careers
• "Tour of the CME Group" - CME/Chicago Board of Trade/NYMEX - Trading and Financial Careers
• "Hyatt Hotels and Resorts" - Hyatt Regency Chicago - Internships, Corporate Management Trainee, and Direct Placement Career Opportunities

This great assortment of career exploration sessions makes me wish I was a student and could attend.    We will have to have Missouri members report on their sessions and share what they learned with the rest of us.  Don't forget - these are first come, first served.  Register today online!

We Need Your Ideas on the Healthy AgriMissouri Meals Event

For two years, Missouri FCCLA has had the opportunity to partner with AgriMissouri in the "Healthy AgriMissouri Meals" Missouri-only STAR Event.  This event allows students interested in nutritional sciences to develop a healthy menu focusing on the use of AgriMissouri food products.  This event not only promotes planning for appropriate health and nutritional needs, but also promotes the use of local and Missouri-produced food products - which is a boost to our local and state economy.

Missouri FCCLA members participate in this event by submitting their project online using a Google Sites template.  During the last two years, students have submitted some great projects, including this year's state winner from Maysville, Missouri.  

This is an excellent project that can be used within the family and consumer sciences curriculum - and every student could complete the requirements of the project as part of the Nutrition and Wellness coursework. But, we haven't had the participation in this event that we had hoped - even with the promise of prize money for both the student participant and the FCCLA chapter. 

We need to know what you think will make this event more attractive to students and chapters.  This summer, AgriMissouri will be presenting a session at the Missouri ACTE/MoEFACS summer inservice conference to help teachers become more familiar with the AgriMissouri resources.  We will make revisions to this event based on your input. 

If your students have participated - or thought about participating but didn't - in this event, would you please share your comments as to how we can improve this event?  We think it is a great event and would hate to lose the sponsorship of the AgriMissouri program.  Please submit your suggestions either as a comment to this post or e-mail christine.hollingsworth@dese.mo.gov.  Thank you!