EduCon 2.8#GoOpen: Personalize Future Ready Learning through OER
Join us for a conversation about the #GoOpen initiative with the US Department of Education. More information here: tech.ed.gov/open-education
Conversations
During each of the six breakout sessions throughout the weekend, a large number of conversations will take place. This site will help you organize your plan for the weekend and provide the relevant information for each conversation. After signing in, search through the conversations below and mark the sessions you are interested in to populate your personal schedule on the right (or below if on your mobile phone).
Accelerating Expectations
Join some of the founders--staff and students--of a pioneering public school that has been celebrated by President Obama for a discussion on the value of school culture. We will discuss the unique impact of the 9-14 public-private partnership school model that raises expectations for underrepresented youth by preparing them for careers in the tech industry. Also, we will share ideas for how to improve school culture through external partnerships.
Asking Beautiful Questions: A reflection protocol to align mission with the stories we tell
We'll use participant’s conference experiences as a jumping off point to explore current mission-driven successes and challenges in their own schools. Using "How might we" and "What if" questions and peer-to-peer feedback, participants will uncover new possibilities for better addressing Educon themes in their schools.
Back(ground) to Front
Inquiry requires students to consult sources, but those sources often assume that audiences have background knowledge that not all students possess. This session will help educators be conscious of the tools that they use to fill in background knowledge and plan strategies to help students build those tools for themselves.
Educon U 2017?
How about an Educon for university educators? Educon mainly serves the K-12 community, but its educational principles apply at all levels. Let's consider making an "Educon U." for university educators and if it makes sense to plan one (next year?).
From the Horse's Mouth: Talking with Kids about Influential Media
In a follow-up to "Empowering Critical Relationships with Media" (Educon '14, '15), this conversation opens up a dialogue with a diverse panel of students from SLA regarding the media they consume and find influential. Hearing from this group of active media consumers will help teachers develop engaging educational approaches and materials with, rather than, for their students.
Generation Z -- It's Complicated
Generation Z: Born after the late 90s. Today’s K-12 learners. Do we really know this generation and their learning needs and preferences? What are our adult assumptions regarding their identity, privacy, social media addiction, online danger, bullying, digital inequity and digital literacy? Let’s have a conversation about today’s generation.
How to Build Teacher Tools That Work
When visitors come to SLA, our tools of the trade get lots of attention, from our school-wide rubric to our peer observation forms to our student surveys. Come learn about our design process and workshop your own ideas to create effective tools for both classroom and administrative purposes. Conversation participates will be invited (but not required) to actually build an online tool that they will take back to their school. Copious examples will also be shared during the session for reference.
Is the PLN Dead? The Reality of Networks in Education
With many years of hype behind us around the value of personal networks/networking, this conservations aims to uncover the realities of social networking in teaching, learning, and professional development. Is the PLN dead? Or, do we need to reimagine the role of networks in education?
Race for Dummies 2.0: Continuing to Navigate Loaded Conversations about Race
These days, many agree that it's time to talk about Race with our students; however, professionals rarely learn how to effectively do so. In this session, teachers will not only learn time-tested dialogic techniques, but will discuss how to navigate the minefield of Race when things go "wrong."
So We're Making A Middle School - SLAMS
We are in the middle of a Design Year for Science Leadership Academy Middle School. What makes Middle Schools great? What makes SLA great?
Students helping Students use Tech
How can we include students in conversations about using technology to transform our teaching and learning? At UMW, the new Digital Knowledge Center was designed to provide peer-based student support for digital projects, and, through this mission, to help place student voices squarely in conversations about transforming our scholarly digital practices.
The DEEP Practitioners Program: Pushing the Practice of Excellent Teachers
Research has shown that good teachers are leaving schools, particularly in urban settings, at alarming rates. Mentorship and coaching could work to retain our best teachers, help push their practices forward, and also engage school administrators in meaningfully aiding the growth of these educators. The DEEP Practitioners Program in the School District of Philadelphia is a specialized coaching program designed to reach talented educators. Come here what we do and collaborate with us on how to take a coaching program like this back to your school or district!
Transforming Silence into Genius
The award winning PYPM (Philly Youth Poetry Movement) creates safe spaces for young people to expand their critical thinking and enhance creative expression with a focus on literacy, youth development, life skills, using poetry, and spoken word.
