2017 VSTE Annual Conference

Are you looking for ways to be inspired to engage your learners? Do you need ideas on how to empower your students? Longwood University's Institute for Teaching through Technology and Innovative Practices (ITTIP) will share how they are facilitating classroom learning experiences in seven divisions to foster student engagement through 1) technology integration with littleBits; 2) problem-based learning; and 3) global collaboration. Key components also include alternative assessments and the 5c components of the Profile of Virginia Graduate (critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship).

ITTIP will share the teaching and learning experiences being used in a year-long professional development with teachers from various subject areas in grades 3-8. Teachers are involved in learning how technologies like littleBits and Google Expedition can be used in the classroom to engage their students in content learning through problem-solving and inquiry-based pedagogies. The professional development experience includes exploration with tools such as Seesaw, Google Classroom, and Skype to see how these tools could be used in the classroom to facilitate engagement through collaborate work, communication, and critical and creative thinking.

In addition to being challenged with designing inquiry-based learning experiences for students through problem-based learning (PBL), alternative assessments, and technologies during a five-day summer workshop, participating teachers are continuing their learning and leadership in facilitating an engaged and empowered classroom through a year-long professional learning community. During these experiences teachers will be involved in a fall book study to learn more about ways they can facilitate classroom connections through global learning experiences.

Come hear about our teacher’s experiences and get inspired with ways to empower and engage your students!

ITTIP will share how this professional learning experience is supporting strands of the International Society for Technology in Education’s (ISTE) newly released “ISTE Standards for Educators”.