Photo: Lance Rougeux, Director, Discovery Educator Network and Me.
Nine days in Vermont ..... July 2013 ..... Best professional development of the year !!
I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in The Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute (DENSI) this month. Educators from across the country and Canada gathered at The University of Vermont for eight days of professional development. This year, I also had the opportunity to present a session. Me...Presenting at a DENSI! I have looked up to, admired, and stood in awe of the people who have presented at past Institutes, and there I was - on the list of presenters with my "idols." I was so nervous prior to my presentation .... Did I really have something to offer this cadre of outstanding educators? The room was full, with standing room only (about 50 in all) as I shared my take on Digital Authentic Assessment. As I got going, I realized I could have shared with them for hours ... I'm that passionate about the topic and have found such great resources to share. But, alas, my time was spent and I could only share my digital notebook with them. While I received many compliments on the presentation, the most meaningful was from a "newbie" who, with great excitement told me, "This was so great; I have so many resources now. Thank you so much. I can't wait to use these with my students."
It's interesting, but that affirmation from a newbie was the same one I was saying after every session that I participated in . . ."This was so great; I have so many resources now. Thank you so much. I can't wait to use these with my students." Some of the things my students can expect to see this year include: augmented reality, desktop green screen movie production, a course in iTunes University, Discovery Education Builder, an edible candle, tweeting, and lots of JOY !
Nine days in Vermont ..... July 2013 ..... Best professional development of the year !!
I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in The Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute (DENSI) this month. Educators from across the country and Canada gathered at The University of Vermont for eight days of professional development. This year, I also had the opportunity to present a session. Me...Presenting at a DENSI! I have looked up to, admired, and stood in awe of the people who have presented at past Institutes, and there I was - on the list of presenters with my "idols." I was so nervous prior to my presentation .... Did I really have something to offer this cadre of outstanding educators? The room was full, with standing room only (about 50 in all) as I shared my take on Digital Authentic Assessment. As I got going, I realized I could have shared with them for hours ... I'm that passionate about the topic and have found such great resources to share. But, alas, my time was spent and I could only share my digital notebook with them. While I received many compliments on the presentation, the most meaningful was from a "newbie" who, with great excitement told me, "This was so great; I have so many resources now. Thank you so much. I can't wait to use these with my students."
It's interesting, but that affirmation from a newbie was the same one I was saying after every session that I participated in . . ."This was so great; I have so many resources now. Thank you so much. I can't wait to use these with my students." Some of the things my students can expect to see this year include: augmented reality, desktop green screen movie production, a course in iTunes University, Discovery Education Builder, an edible candle, tweeting, and lots of JOY !