Updates

There are many technologies that have inspired us over the last ten years...the iPhone, iPad, Web 2.0 tools, Google Apps. Now there's a technology that can make our lives even more convenient than they already are! Welcome QR codes! Creating information in a digital format is genius, pure genius! Simply raise your Smartphone or other device with a QR reader to the following symbol and viola! Contact us by phone without lifting a finger (well, maybe a few...)

Contact Us by Telephone:

Blanca E. Duarte, Chief Enablement Officer, LogicWing

In a little corner of Syosset is an amazing school I am proud to be a part of, Variety Child Learning Center. As a member of their board, I've been able to proudly serve as advisor in the area of educational technology. With the new research around the use of mobile devices, we've been working on inserting interactive and adaptive devices into classrooms. 

What's important about education, and I would say even more important when servicing those with special needs, is the positive outcome that comes from servicing the child as a whole. Weekend respite programs for parents, sibling groups, staff training sessions, and the school's well-known open door policy, are just a few ways that VCLC improves the lives of its students, and others.

Blanca E. Duarte, Chief Enablement Officer, LogicWing

So it's been almost 10 years and 4 months since the United States was struck by tragedy. Today I remembered a project that we were so touched to be a part of. A very good friend of mine struck up a conversation over the summer about that day. Her students, in Kansas, wanted to do something special to remember the lives lost and we brainstormed some ways that we could engage them and others by way of a small (albeit global) conference.

It's been 4 months and a day since we held our little conference and I felt like tonight was a good night to share some of the day. Remember 9/11 Project

Blanca E. Duarte, Chief Enablement Officer, LogicWing

Fanfiction.net is a website where children (and adults) can take their creative ideas about anything and turn it into something everyone can enjoy. Have you ever had a favorite TV show? Movie? Book? And you think about the what if-s in the story line? Now you can write stories for all of your favorites. With Fanfiction.net your stories can be viewed by anyone and people can comment on it. You cannot only write stories, but read them, too. You can make an account on Fanfiction and be able to follow stories and authors. Fanfiction is a great website if you want to speak ideas, be creative, and write.

Blanca E. Duarte, Chief Enablement Officer, LogicWing

A conversation with a member of a local community brought to mind how important COMMUNICATION is in today's society. Could it be that there is too much information and not enough time to share it all? Case in point: A youngster in school loves reading but finds it hard to take a book out during "library time". There's too little time to allow it, is the excuse. The curriculum must be adhered to. If there's extra time after the lesson, it is implied, then the student is given time to find a book they want to read. Enter the age of the digital catalogue and digital databases.

Most, if not all, schools, have online databases of books that are available through their building libraries. Gone are the days where you had no idea what books were available in school. With the implementation of catalogues like Follett's Destiny product, community members, parents and students should be able to see what books their children have access to (and what books their tax dollars have paid for)! ...

At LogicWing we believe in the power of the individual and of the collective.

LogicWing members are proud to be involved in a community project through the h2empower organization. The mission of the organization is to empower communities through literacy and education. Annual trips are made to run teacher training programs in the remote town of Hosanna, Ethiopia.

The largest contribution to date is help in building a library community center. In November of 2010, h2empower packed 30,000 books for the town and nearby villages. These books were distributed to over 50 schools and universities and included medical books for hospitals. The library began construction in February of 2010. The foundation is almost complete. This is an exciting time for the people of Hosanna, who have hoped for a community center to bring revitalization and opportunity to their community.

Changing the world isn't easy. We salute Helen Boxwill and her team for their dedication and perseverance.

Blanca E....

"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Gandhi

The Living Through Learning Foundation Executive Director, David Gordon, is one of the most passionate individuals you will ever meet. He leads a team of educators who deliver content to children who are chronically ill. Social networking is pervasive in today's society. The ability to keep children connected during times when they are most vulnerable, is his passion. In partnership with the NY Hall of Science, the MET, and others, he works with universities and hospitals to bring educational and fun video conferences to children. We are in awe of the difference he makes in their lives.

Blanca E. Duarte, Chief Enablement Officer, LogicWing

Below is an activity idea I've used with students when they are learning about natural disasters that incorporates technology in the classroom.

Step 1: Have students collect research on natural disasters in the US. 

Step 2: Students will use that information to fill out Storyboards and write scripts with facts and interesting information about their natural disaster.

Step 3: Students use their scripts to record 2 minute podcasts.

Step 4: In a short recording, students set their voiceover script over copyright free images that they find at home, school, or the internet.

The students I did this activity with helped each other as they worked in groups and were very proud once they were able to view their podcasts on a machine that had Quicktime and/or iTunes.

I encourage you to try this activity with your students, especially since it can be adapted to many topics, not just natural disasters.

Blanca E. Duarte, Chief Enablement Officer, LogicWing

Today I woke up with one goal in mind. To finish up a project I've been working on for weeks - scratch that - two months. To not get distracted by household chores, I decided to visit my local bookstore to get some work done. Well...it seems that the distractions that I left at home were soon replaced with newer ones. Ones that I carry in my pocket, literally.

So how do we deal with distractions...or to put this in context, how do we help our students cope with distractions that we ourselves sometimes deal with? I've thought about this for all of about 5 minutes but I think that if I can brainstorm for a few minutes and write...that I will soon be able to concentrate on what I need to...if only for an hour. So here's my suggestion to how to talk to students about distractions and how to help them cope. 

1) Teach children to identify their distractions. This should be an easy thing to do. Set aside some time on a Friday afternoon to ask students what they are thinking about. Ask...