Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

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Dear Arts Educators!

December 22, 2014

There is still time to voice your opinion

Screen Shot 2014-12-22 at 11.09.55 PMWe are nearing the end of the Maine Arts Commission Arts Educators survey phase, of our strategic planning. If you haven’t done so yet, please add your voice to this important work–the link will be live through the end of December and the survey only takes a few minutes to complete.

Click here to participate: http://tinyurl.com/ArtsEdSurvey
If you’ve already completed the survey, please pass this blog post on to your colleagues and encourage them to voice provide feedback!

We’ve made every attempt to respond to your needs and we will continue to do so. Thank you for your time in helping to determine the future of Arts Education in Maine!

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2015-16 MLTI Artwork Challenge

December 14, 2014

Student Opportunity

Over the last six years, the MLTI device has featured screen savers featuring outstanding student works of art (twenty each year). To date, there have been well over two thousand pieces of artwork submitted. WOWZER! Currently images are made available as a screensaver download on the following MLTI Devices: HP ProBooks & Apple MacBooks.

"Eye in Triangle", by Dominick Bernard, Deering High School, Grade 10

“Eye in Triangle”, by Dominick Bernard, Deering High School, Grade 10

The opportunity to submit artwork is available to Maine students in grades K-12. MLTI asks that students submit only ONE piece of artwork to be considered for 2015-2016 MLTI devices. Please take careful note of the sizing and labeling requirements. Submissions not meeting these requirements or students submitting multiple works will not have their artwork reviewed. The deadline to submit artwork for this challenge is January 2, 2015. Works of art submitted will be scored by an independent review committee using a rubric.

The students whose artwork is selected will have their artwork on 2015-2016 MLTI Devices, receive free Student Conference registration (May 21, 2015) and also have their artwork printed and displayed at the Department of Education in the spring.

"Holograms", by Elana Bolles, Yarmouth High School, Grade 11

“Holograms”, by Elana Bolles, Yarmouth High School, Grade 11

Please submit your artwork to Juanita Dickson. Anyone can submit the artwork (guardian, teacher, student, etc), but please be sure to include the following information in the email:

  • Student name
  • School name
  • Grade
  • Teacher (Adult) name & email address (this is who we’ll contact with result)
  • Artwork title

Don’t forget to read the guidelines! If your picture is not properly sized/submitted, it can not be considered for the challenge.

For the artwork submission guidelines (.pdf) please click here.

"Striations", by Matthew Lambert, Mount Desert Island High School, Grade 10

“Striations”, by Matthew Lambert, Mount Desert Island High School, Grade 10

MLTI Artwork Challenge Timeline

  • January 2, 2015 – Submissions due.
    Please email your submission to Juanita Dickson at juanita.dickson@maine.gov. Confirmation of receipt will be emailed to you.
  • January 3 – January 20, 2015 – Selection committee reviews submissions using a rubric.
  • January 25, 2015 – Teachers of the students with selected pieces will be notified by this date. A release form will need to be signed by parents and sent back to MLTI before any names are released to the public.
  • February 15, 2015 – Release forms due to back to the MLTI Project Office
  • Late February 2015 – Selected artwork information released to the public.
  • May 21, 2015 – Student Conference. Selected students will be invited to join us at the Student Conference free of charge (students will need to complete online registration)

Please contact Juanita Dickson at juanita.dickson@maine.gov with any questions.

To view all of the past screen saver images please click here.

 

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Successful Mega!

December 2, 2014

MAAI Mega MDIHS

The feedback is clear – the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s Mega – regional workshop at MDI High School last week was a success! Participants learned new information and the work that is done each day in classrooms across Maine was reinforced. Once again the highlight was the opportunity for Arts educators to come together for a professional development opportunity that was designed specifically for them.

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A HUGE THANK YOU to Charlie Johnson and his colleagues at MDI High School for hosting, to the MAAI Teacher Leaders who provided outstanding workshops: Janie Snider, Lisa Ingraham, Shannon Westphall, Frances Kellogg, Sue Barre, Charlie Johnson, to Teaching Artist Stevie McGary for the workshop and artists showcase, and to Catherine Ring, Rob Westerberg, and Nancy Salmon who provided technical assistance and leadership for the day!

I LOVE reading the feedback and how the day influenced participants thinking and teaching. Don’t take my word for it, below is what some of the participants said. I will post more in the near future along with a video that Charlie created to document the day.

  • I can’t believe how quickly this day flew by! As always, I wish that we had more time like this and opportunities to meet… I love these MAAI conferences, I always leave feeling more grounded and ready to take action
  • I like the Habits of Mind posters and the idea of the check list to keep throughout a project to assess each habit… These were really solid examples of what can be done.
  • I have already been implementing a few of these processes into my curriculum. Now, I just need to communicate this to my students in a clearer, more consistent manner.
  • Our district is focusing on Habits of Mind. I didn’t realize Studio Habits of Mind are different, but similar. Definitely a lot of useful information.
  • On the arts assessment website http://www.maineartsassessment.com there is a proficiency toolbox that I will be able to revamp my assessments at my school.

I LEARNED…

  • how to authentically apply the learning results to assessment
  • how to create a simple rubric for standards is an easy way to keep track of what 1, 2, 3, 4 etc actually means
  • simple, quick class assessments concrete examples of student growth — A+
  • about how to apply assessments to the art classroom and how to make the language usable for students of all ages
  • recording with the ipad for quick assessment
  • strategies for holding myself and my students accountable for what they are learning and creating in the art room
  • engage and persist can be a way to think about behavior in a positive way
  • about some fun and creative resources to help with assessing my students
  • how students demonstrate their learning through a hands-on project (pinhole cameras)
  • even a quick 60-second movement can benefit across the school day
  • how to clearly describe different standards and allow students to have an important part in the grading process
  • some quick and effective ways to assess students on the fly in the elementary music setting, and how to score and record them.
  • all about the site: http://www.maineartsassessment.com/, I LOVE IT. Need to spend loads of time there.

The above list includes just some of the feedback from November 25. If this is information that you’d like to learn more about please be sure and attend another Mega-regional workshop that is planned for this school year. The dates and locations are below and the link to the registration is http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI-Mega-Regionals-2014-2015#

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MAAI at the State House

October 13, 2014

What a day!

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MAAI group Oct10Friday was a great opportunity for the Teacher Leaders from the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) to present their workshops as a “dry run” to critical friends. Fifty-eight educators traveled from all parts of Maine to participate in the day. Eighteen workshops were presented in 6 different groups to the critical friends, held in the State House and the Cross Office Building. Teachers bring students on field trips to the State House but it is not often that a group of teachers attend an all-day event there. As compared to when the legislature is in session, it was fairly quiet but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the Capitol. The first session of the Maine Legislature was held in Maine’s State Capitol on January 4, 1832. As many of you know the dome is presently undergoing renovations and the new copper is gleaming and a site to behold with the changing of the leaves.

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We gathered in the beautiful space used by the Council Chamber which I am certain never held that many educators. The Chamber is a segment of State Government of the leadership, a small group that is led by the President of the Senate rotating with the Speaker of the House, to make decisions that impact the entire body of the legislature. Each of the six groups participated in two morning workshops that were held where some of the Maine State Government does their daily business, the Burton Cross Office building. The groups gathered for lunch back in the State House and USMs faculty member and MAAI leadership team member Jeff Beaudry shared the findings of the survey that many of you participated in during the last week on Proficiency and  Teacher Effectiveness. (I will post the info in another blog post).

Molly Ockett Middle School Visual Art teacher Samantha Davis presents her workshop to critical friends

Molly Ockett Middle School Visual Art teacher Samantha Davis presents her workshop to critical friends

 

Marshwood Middle School art teacher and Teacher Leader Amy Cousins participating in Teaching Artist Randy Fein's workshop using clay.

Marshwood Middle School art teacher and Teacher Leader Amy Cousins participating in Teaching Artist Randy Fein’s workshop using clay.

 

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Raymond Elementary School music teacher and veteran MAAI Teacher Leader Patti Gordan assists Ellsworth Elementary Middle School music teacher and new Teacher Leader Frances Kellogg with her workshop.

In the afternoon the groups participated in one more workshop and gathered for the wrap-up where the group facilitators provided an overview of what took place in their groups. Phase 4 music Teacher Leaders Kate Smith and Cynthia Keating lead us in song called “We Are One” and adapted for MAAI. It was a worthwhile day for all involved. The Teacher Leaders will tweak their workshops to ready them for the Mega-regional workshops being presented in five locations this year (listed below). Registration will be available soon if you are interested and able to attend please mark your calendars!

USM faculty and MAAI Leadership team member Jeff Beaudry shares the data recently collected from the survey all Maine arts educators were invited to participate in.

USM faculty and MAAI Leadership team member Jeff Beaudry shares the data recently collected from the survey all Maine arts educators were invited to participate in.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the critical friends who participated in the day!

Mega-regional workshops 2014-15 school year

  • Tuesday, November 25 Mount Desert Island High School
  • Friday, March 6 Aroostook county
  • Friday, March 13 Oxford Hills Middle School South Campus
  • Thursday, April 2 UMaine, Orono
  • Friday, April 3 University of Southern Maine, Portland
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Critical Friends participate in movement workshop led by Teaching Artist John Morris in the rotunda in the State House while former Governor John Baldacci looks on.

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MAAI Leadership Team member Catherine Ring provides an overview from her groups workshops.

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Wrap up on Critical Friend Day at the State House.

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New teacher leaders and music teachers Kate Smith, Central Elementary School and Cynthia Keating, Village Elementary School lead the group in song.

 

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Tech-focused Courses

September 28, 2014

Available courses for K-12 educators, fall 2014

Screen Shot 2014-09-16 at 2.55.05 PMThe Office of Adult Education and Family Literacy is offering four great technology focused courses to K-12 educators. These courses were developed and are presented through a collaborative effort of the Department of Education and the ConnectME Authority, the agency charged with expanding and enhancing broadband internet availability across the state. Support for the course development was funded by the US Department of Commerce National Telecommunication and Information Administration through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Broadband Data and Development Grant.

The online courses are facilitated by a team of adult educators, most of whom have extensive experience in the K-12 classroom as well as using Moodle and a variety of web-based and video conferencing. Classes are taught in cohort groups of 8-10 and will be available in the fall and spring. Classes begin the week of September 29th or as the cohorts fill. Most courses are 10 weeks in length and participants can expect to spend 2-3 hours each week completing assignments.

Registration and Cost

Course information is available at the Maine Adult Education PD Portal (pdportal.maineadulted.org) Search Keyword MARTI K-12. Registration for continuing education hours is through the PDPortal. A portal account is required and is available free of charge by clicking “PD Account” in the upper right hand corner of the portal homepage.

A course registration application is available on the PD Portal as well. Tuition cost is $250.00 for each course. Upon successful competition course credit will be posted to the participant’s PDPortal account. Send a completed application and payment by check or purchase order to Office of Adult Education and Family Literacy, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023

Technology Integration for Teaching and Learning

This ten-week introductory survey course will serve as an overview of some of the current technology applications and the multiple ways they can be used to enhance classroom instruction. This is a blended course which begins with an introductory face to face regional meeting, video conference or web conference. Participants will try out a variety of applications, some of which might find immediate application the classroom. As well as learning about digital tools, participants will participate in a professional learning community with other educators through the online discussion forums and real-time tools to investigate ways of enhancing instruction and learning. This course may be taken as a stand-alone course or as the first course of two for those who want to complete the MARTI certification program. If the intent is to take as a standalone course, registration here on the portal is sufficient for a completed application. 30 continuing education hours are awarded for successful completion.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction

The course explores the development and adaptation of curriculum to improve accessibility for learners of varying abilities. Participants in the UDL course must have successfully completed the Technology Integration course or participate in a short “Intro to Moodle course.” The UDL course provides a framework for preparing curriculum and instruction that meets the varied and diverse needs of students. A universal need of educators is to be both proactive and responsive to how students learn.  The course is a guide for differentiating instruction while, at the same time, addressing issues of access to learning that result from unique student needs, such as varying abilities, language, or culture. Within UDL, the use of technology is consistent with the research behind how people learn, as well as focused on individual student needs and preferences. The outcome and objectives of this course allow participants to begin using UDL in practice. This is the second semester course required for MARTI Certification. 30 continuing education hours are awarded for successful completion.

Teaching in the Blended Classroom

This course prepares educators to teach in blended classroom environments. Participants will learn effective strategies for managing and teaching students in blended environments and explore the ways blended learning can effectively support standards-based teaching and learning in all subject areas. Participants will learn techniques to foster student collaboration in an online learning community through online discussion and group projects and to assess student work. In addition, participants will learn to meet the learning needs of all students by selecting and using a variety of teaching strategies that aid in personalizing learning for students. During this course, participants will learn about and practice using tools to teach critical thinking skills, explore student academic integrity issues and the safe and legal use of online resources. Additionally, teachers will learn about and practice using instructor tools in a course management system. Course content includes online readings, web-based and multimedia activities, and facilitated online discussions. 30 continuing education hours are awarded for successful completion.

Teaching and Learning Through Video Conferencing

This course provides participants the skills and experience needed to identify, prepare, and provide effective, interactive instruction via real-time, interactive video conferencing.

By the end of the course participants will have had in-depth experience and peer feedback in the preparation and delivery of lessons. Participants will discuss how video conferencing can expand learning opportunities and increase student engagement, plus develop a site guide for available equipment. This is a blended course. Participants are expected to attend 4 face-to-face sessions connecting regional sites and participate in an asynchronous 4 week online Moodle course.20 continuing education hours are awarded for successful completion.

For more information contact Nancy Dionne by email at nancy.dionne@maine.gov or call 207-624-6780 or Bob Mcintire at bob.mcintire@maine.gov or call 207-624-6778.

 

MARTI K-12 Course Registration

First Name
Last Name
School
District
Mailing Address
City
State
Zip
Telephone – Work
Work Email address
Webpage (if applicable)
Subjects/courses I teach:
Coursework or workshops I have taken related to technology integration in teaching and learning:
I am interested in participating in the MARTI program because 

Personal Contact Information – This information will not be shared.

Home Mailing Address
City
State
Zip
Telephone – Home
Telephone – Mobile
Summer/Alternate email address
Education
Undergraduate College – Major
Post Graduate College – Major

Send registration application and payment of $250 per course to Office of Adult Education and Family Literacy – 23 State House Station – Augusta, ME 04333-0023 Development and presentation of MARTI courses is funded by the US Department of Commerce National Telecommunication and Information Administration through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program Award Number 23-50-M09062 in collaboration with the ConnectME Authority

 

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Drawing with Camera-Like Precision

August 22, 2014

Twins reproduce Edward Steichen photogragh

Identical twins Ryan and Trevor Oakes have come up with a method for “tracing camera-obscura renderings”  onto a concave grid. The article in The New York Times Magazine from August 15 provides the information and a video with the twins discussing their work. It is very cool and I highly recommend that you check it out by clicking here.

Thanks to Anne Kofler for sending me the information.

 

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In Today’s News

August 14, 2014

Just out from the Maine Department of Education, Commissioner’s Update

August 14, 2014

FEATURED DISPATCH

Maine Arts Assessment Initiative hosts New England Summit on Arts Education

The Maine DOE joined over 90 educators, teaching artists, and interdisciplinary teams at the New England Summit on Arts Education, July 29-August 1, at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. This three day professional training opportunity was coordinated by the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) and provided participants with a collaborative approach to explore methods of teaching, learning, and assessment in arts education.

Jeff Poulin, Arts Education Program Coordinator for Americans for the Arts, delivered an important message about the critical role of arts education in developing essential knowledge, skills and creative abilities needed for success in school, work and life. During the Summit, educators developed individual action plans focused on essential components of student learning and proficiency including arts integration, studio habits, technology and assessment.

Veteran teacher-leaders and educators new to MAAI joined together to learn from each other through numerous presentations, workshops and lectures. Over the past year, the MAAI teacher-leaders have developed standards-based units, including assessments, lesson plans and resources, and have provided guidance on how to select appropriate tools for classroom assessment. These materials are now available for review and use on the MAAI Resource Bank.

Representatives from the Department and arts organizations and institutions from across New England were in attendance at the Summit, including Lesley University, Lincoln Street Center and Northland Village Foundation, Maine Art Education Association, Maine Music Educators Association, Maine College of Art, New England Institute for Teacher Education, Portland Ovations, Portland Museum of Art, Portland Symphony Orchestra, and the Art Education and Music Education Departments of the University of Maine.

The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative was an initiative established in 2011 to create an environment in Maine where quality assessment is an integral part of the work of all integral part of the work of all arts educators in order to improve student achievement through teaching and learning. The initiative builds capacity through collaboration and the development of professional practices designed by teachers, for teachers.

For more information about MAAI, contact the Maine Arts Commission’s Director of Arts Education, Argy Nestor at argy.nestor@maine.gov or 207-287-2713.

For more information about arts integration, contact the DOE’s Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Kevin Facer, at kevin.facer@maine.gov or 207-624-6826.

To read the above article on the Department’s website please click here.

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What are the Summit Participants Saying?

August 9, 2014

Summit on Arts Education, July 29-August 1, 2014

If you follow the Maine Arts Ed blog you are aware of all the posts during the last several days that have to do with a component of the Summit. You might be wondering: What are the participants saying about the Summit?”

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Summit on Arts Education participants

Soooooo…. here is some of the feedback that was collected electronically from teachers at the conclusion of each day:

Overall comments:

  • I have not had a professional development in assessment before and it was great!
  • Plenty of opportunities to meet people and collaborate
  • There was an incredible diversity of knowledge, and information that was shared continuously
  • Everyone was full of energy and ideas. It made me really excited to start integrating what I’ve learned!
  • This week, I was able to take all the various pieces I’ve worked with (from over the past couple years) and consolidate them into a plan that fits my teaching style and my curriculum!
  • Every conversation I had was meaningful

What did I learn (on specific topics) on the first day:

  • Student-centered classroom, assessment and classroom strategies
    • I learned about backward design
    • Student-centered learning is the foundation of a standards-based classroom.
    • “I Can” statements for standards, how others are assessing successfully
  • How do I organize information
    • I learned that I can only absorb so much. There is a lot to absorb here!
    • That my brain is still very much in summer mode.
    • Self and educational discovery takes time and is hard work
  • Advocacy
    • Arts assessment is in part, advocation for our art programs.
    • The webinar with Washington was very interesting and enlightening, I had no idea about what happens at that end of the spectrum. Wonderful to see how people are advocates.
  • MAAI and teacher leaders
    • That Maine has a dedicated group of professionals united in working on assessment to improve teaching and learning.
    • I learned about the responsibilities of a teacher leader.
    • How a visual arts teacher went through the process of becoming a teacher leader
    • MAAI is there to support my art ed learning that meets my needs. I felt like I should have been involved in MAAI sooner!
  • Collaboration
    • Everyone can be a resource in areas they are passionately curious about
    • The need to collaborate is essential!
  • Standards and proficiency
    • The idea of “Power Standards” seems like a good place to start
    • Using Standards-based assessments involves working towards clear goals or ‘big ideas’& communicating those goals to students, empowering students to take ownership of their progress towards these goals, and giving feedback along the way.
  • Technology
    • New resources are available in a variety of media, which will help inform my teaching and assessment practices
    • I learn that digital portfolios are something several of us are working on.
  • Teaching Artists
    • I learned what a teaching artist is.
    • Good inquiry about the role of the teaching artist
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Sarah Gould and Michaela Digianvittorio, Gray-New Gloucester High School visual art teachers

I will share more participant feedback in the future. Thanks to Jeff Beaudry for collecting the information and sharing it with participants each morning during the Summit!

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7 More Days!

July 22, 2014

There is still time to register

MAAI Logo_Color_TxtRtThe Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Teacher Leaders are busy putting the last minute touches on their presentations, the food is ordered, the space is ready to go, the participant bags are being stuffed full of information, and the excitement is intense at the Maine Arts Commission. The Summit on Arts Education is only a week away!

Not a day goes by that I don’t receive an email or a phone call from someone inquiring about the Summit on Arts Education being held July 29-31, USM, Portland. Just when I think that everyone who wants to attend has registered or that there can’t possibly be someone who hasn’t registered that wants to attend. Sooooo… if you are still thinking about attending please don’t hesitate any longer. For more information please click here https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/NESummit and to go directly to registration please click here https://webapp.usm.maine.edu/DCPEOnline/addRegCONFPage1.do?offeringId=100075146. If you have questions please email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

And, if you are an arts organization and would like to join us for Wednesday morning only, July 30, for a Carousel. The morning is designed for organizations who wish to provide information for Summit participants to learn about what there is available for arts education opportunities for field trips, etc. Please contact me if you think this might be a match for your organization. Deadline for this is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23.

The Summit is designed for you to attend as an individual or part of a team to receive professional development in assessment, leadership, technology, and teaching and learning for the 21st century curriculum. Topics include proficiency, standards-based teaching and learning, student-centered, arts integration and more. You will create a plan that fits your needs in your classroom, school, and district.

I hope you can join us for this first time MAAI offered learning opportunity!

 

 

 

 

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ZOOM Planning

July 15, 2014

Getting ready

Screen Shot 2014-07-15 at 11.23.53 PMMany of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Teacher Leaders and Leadership Team have been working (almost) around the clock getting ready for the Arts Education Summit happening on July 29-31 at USM, Portland campus. The Summit is chock full of sessions facilitated by educators with years of experience in teaching and assessment practices. To learn more please click here.

During the last three summers the MAAI has provided a summer institute for teachers interested in being Teacher Leaders. The feedback we received from many teachers included requests to provide summer extended professional development for everyone, not just those who wish to be MAAI Teacher Leaders.

Recently several of the Teacher Leaders planning the Summit came together for a planning meeting using Zoom.us which provides video conferencing. MAAI has been using it for meetings recently and found it very simple and reliable! Above is an image that I took (screen shot) during the meeting attended by 16 educators. Direct registration to the Summit can be accessed by clicking here.

MAAI is continually breaking new territory to meet the needs of arts educators across the state which we know ultimately impacts arts education and all students. It is not to late to register for the Summit! Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity! Please contact me by email if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov. The image below is arts educators (plus 1) jamming last year at the MAAI summer institute.

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