Theme+2008

=Theme 2008 - Get Smart and Teaching for Diversity/Differences= (i) Click on the "Edit This Page" tab (ii) Type in your ideas or comments anywhere, putting your name in bold, before your comments (eg. **Annique: _** ) (iii) Click on the Save button
 * To add ideas or comments to this page:[[image:cone_of_silence1.jpg width="263" height="199" align="right"]]**
 * Visit the various wiki pages for the 2008 conference by clicking on the links on the side Navigation panel.**

Get ideas below related to the Get Smart Theme - Catch Phrases, Items, Episode Plots, YouTube links For ideas related to Teaching for Diversity / Differences in the Classroom, click on this link.

**Get Smart Catch Phrases, Gadgets, Events from the TV series**

 * Shoe phone
 * Cone of Silence
 * Control HQ
 * Communication contraptions
 * KAOS
 * **Iain**_Would Smart's stock phrase ("Would you believe...") have any value as a recurrent theme?
 * [|Other Stock phrases]
 * Agent #s
 * Passwords
 * Bad guys hiding in funny places (plants
 * Funny names for bad guys
 * KAOS (knowledge, attitudes, skills or structure)
 * Banner as a KAOS element
 * KAOS threat – cookie cutter approach to student learning versus “differences” approach
 * Laugh sign
 * Promotion – Get Smart video clips from you tube (send out before hand)

**Get Smart Web Links**
1. Wikipedia "Get Smart" page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Smart 2. Online TV Episodes http://www2.surfthechannel.com/show/television/get_smart.html 3. Episode Synopsis http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/3101/epguides.html 4. Would you Believe.com http://www.wouldyoubelieve.com/ 5. The Unclassified Get Smart Site http://www.ilovegetsmart.com/ 6. You Tube Clips Cone of Silence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLZKEre3yJ0&feature=related Interrogation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYpCQEeBsS0&feature=related Trailer for the new movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftoh87AYsJA&feature=related 7. ???

Get Smart Theme Discussion
As we begin to work with this theme, let's also consider how we can integrate a teaching and learning focus as a subtheme - Last year we integrated 007 with the mission/challenge to uncover the unique characteristics of the millennial learner. Here are some ideas that have come up so far - what are your thoughts:
 * 1. Teaching to differences** (it has come up several times in our pd activities that classrooms are more and more diverse (mix of ages, nationalities, first languages, religions, abilities, etc.). As teachers, this increases the challenges of facilitating learning. Is this something people would like to focus on as a sub theme? **Your thoughts?**

//I suggest that this topic lends itself to open forum style workshops. A leader would gather some published info/research on the topic and present that at the begining. Then open it up to the participants who will, no doubt, discuss the topic in light of their own classes. There could be a session on laptops which can be both supportive and distractions. There could be a session on distractive technologies such as cell phones and iPods. Bob M.//
 * 2. Dealing with the influx of technology in the classrooms** (the other new challenge that is coming up more and more is determining how to deal with the influx of technologies - laptops, ipods, cell phones, etc. in the classroom). Are there legitimate pedagogical reasons for the technologies? How can we manage the classroom in a way that is technology friendly, but that also ensures a positive learning environment? Is this something people would like to focus on as a sub theme? **Your thoughts?**

//I think session leaders should be asked to find a link/fit with the Get Smart theme and their topic. It can be seen as an added bit of creative fun. Maybe have a prize for the best linkage between a workshop and the Get Smart theme - "my very own cone of silence! thank you!" Bob M.//
 * Then, the question is how to fit the subtheme with the Get Smart Theme? Your thoughts?**

Planning Filters
Such filters help to ensure that all participants feel comfortable and are able to join freely in the fun of the day.
 * As we plan this event, it is important that we use filters to screen out references to things that might offend some people:**
 * Violence or weapons
 * Sexuality
 * Sexism, racism, or other forms of discrimination
 * Addictive behaviours such as gambling, drinking

� How can everyone relate? � How can we get everyone involved in some way? � How does it connect to teaching and learning? //It really only serves to keep the mood light and provide metaphors.// � How do we create the �atmosphere� � visual impact, music, drama //Have the TV show DVD running as a loop in the public areas. Bob M.// � How does it reflect the overall goals of the conference? � What are meaningful metaphors for teaching/learning and how can they be integrated? � What are some images that elicit the things that are important in the day? o Collegiality, celebration of teaching, humour related to teaching and learning, passion for teaching and learning, the importance of learning, affirmation, collaboration, knowledge building, community building, capacity building discovery
 * Other aspects to consider**
 * Catalysts for thinking about the theme:**


 * For other theme ideas generated during the brainstorming session, visit the Theme Ideas - General page.**