Created as an example for my job with an Integrated Science Education class at Michigan State University, this video explains how the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards help students to work as scientists and explore new ideas. Using the example of making Irish soda bread, it outlines some of the disciplinary core ideas, science practices, and crosscutting concepts involved. As Michigan has adopted the new Michigan Science Standards that are similar to the NGSS, this is a great resource for the K-12 classroom and teacher preparation programs. Depending on their grade level, students could even complete their own similar project to communicate their science learning!
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The BenefitsBeing a people person who enjoys interacting with people, I have been skeptical of a lot of the shifts toward virtual teaching and learning. In terms of conferencing with fellow education professionals, I had the same thought. As Michal Tsur of Huffington Post explains, I feel "I would miss out on the main benefits [of] face-to-face conferences - networking, meeting new people and enjoying the exhibit hall browsing experience." Further, however, he provides several benefits of attending a virtual conference. Those that top the list include being less expensive, accessible at any time and place, and making it easier to network with who you want to. Additionally, being virtual allows those holding the conference to record data of what sessions, booths, and speakers were most popular which can inform future content. Though I do not believe they should completely replace a weekend spent with colleagues in a cool conference venue, I do think that online conferences should be seriously considered as another form of professional development. Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL)MACUL held a conference in 2015 called "A Culture of Collaboration" featuring many insightful, cutting edge speakers. Here are a few that really stand out. Gary Abud The Michigan Teacher of the Year for 2013-14 from Grosse Point Public Schools, Abud claims that instead of "merely choosing sides of the debate" about implementing the Common Core, it is important to redefine a vision of teaching and learning that we can all agree upon. Further, he advocates for the collaborative and efficient improvements GoogleApps can make to teacher evaluations and how DJs can teach us something about connecting with kids. I love how diverse and innovative his ideas are, yet relate-able and plausible. He provides important, informative content for parents, administrators, and teachers alike. Leslie Fisher A regular presenter at educational and technological workshops, Fisher brings a creative perspective with her background studying music and working for Apple. She provides photo/video tricks, screencasting tutorials, gadget how-to's, and more. I love that she took such an interesting path to fall into her career today and I am sure that it inspires her out-of-the-box thinking that is so important in the field of education. Virtual Education ConferencesThe Global Education Conference Best explained by the GEC themselves, "the Global Education Conference Network is a collaborative, inclusive, world-wide community initiative involving students, educators, and organizations at all levels. Our activities are designed to significantly increase opportunities for connecting classrooms while supporting cultural awareness and recognition of diversity and educational access for all." Personally, I am very interested in making my classroom one that brings in global perspectives and prepares active citizens for positively interacting with the rest of the world. This conference would be a great resource for creating a more connected classroom. ASCD Whole Child Virtual Conference This conference is free and provides a resource for educators to work on moving along the "whole child continuum". Some schools have begun the "whole child approach" which moves from implementing to sustaining to creating a culture where children are "healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged". I passionately believe in a quote my sister, who is also an educator, absolutely loves. It says, "no one cares how much you know until you know how much you care," and this conference would get at the very essence of that. Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education A free virtual conference, this provides ways to use technology to successfully enhance traditional classroom learning. Featuring a student panel, tips for special education students in the mainstream classroom, and much more, VWBP has a month packed full of great content. I love to hear student perspectives and have a personal goal of improving my classroom to be more inclusive and differentiated. This conference would be a great resource. Transforming the Teaching and Learning Environment Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education hosts a completely virtual conference on integrating technology into classrooms. Containing 60 live one-hour long sessions, attendees can join in for those that interest them and engage in discussions to create more productive, interactive classrooms. It can be difficult to implement some of the great ideas and resources that we come across in our research, preparation, and workshops so this conference piqued my interest in providing practical information for how to do just that. Online Learning Consortium: Innovate Aimed at professionals involved in and publishing on specifically online learning, this conference engages in discussion about resolving issues in current virtual education. It is available both in person and online, which reaches all types of learners and various schedule demands. As I am still learning about the benefits of and how to implement virtual education, this would be very informative for my teaching. Learning From an eConferenceVirtual learning is inherently different than in a traditional classroom, so naturally virtual conferences will be different than traditional ones. For example, learning from the Global Education Conference would allow educators from around the world participate and network at once rather than having to travel and meet in one place. It would also provide educators with ideas and resources of how to connect their classrooms immediately. Rather than waiting until they returned home, educators could try out the new technology and start to develop curriculum in the moment and get immediate feedback on how it worked before implementing it with students.
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Hi there!I'm Sarah! I have a passion for powerful teaching and lifelong learning. I am a 4th grade teacher turned instructional designer, and this is my blog documenting the journey. Click here to get in touch with me. Archives
February 2021
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