Hi Folks, We’re seeking innovative proposals for the Dynamic Landscapes conference at Champlain College in Burlington on May 21-22, 2015.
Submission dates is February 28th.
Submit your proposals to inspire people here!
Our ‘Do, Make, and Create’ is far more than the ‘Maker Movement!’ It’s about inspiring people with a showcase and discussion on creative and engaging projects with kids. The ones that get kids involved, the ones that help them make connections!
It’s a chance to showcase your best work, innovative ideas, or to create a roundtable to unpack and build group thoughts on larger questions!
Formats: 1 hour (40-45 minutes with q and a) or a 1.5 hour workshop / unconference style discussion to unpack and build ideas from group expertise and questions.
Here are some ideas:
- creative classroom projects! Show us your innovative work or show a group how you and your students did it!
- innovative and engaging art projects
- creative design projects and design challenges for students
- highly integrated ‘technology,’ when the ‘tech’ became invisible and learning took flight
- student web development: blog projects, portfolios, publishing to a larger audience
- we built it!
How about teacher pedagogical development?
- inquiry and project based education in the classroom
- proficiency based education initiatives or development
- what does ‘digital citizenship’ actually / really mean? Can we advance this discussion and skill development?
- turning ‘curriculum’ into creative projects: Creating a balance of curriculum goals and material to cover and engaging creativity
- formative and summative assessment: goals, strategies, examples. Teacher to student / peer assessment
- building meaningful and engaging portfolios
- expanding personal learning networks
Perhaps propose a ‘hands on’ session? Build skills in:
- video and audio projects for the classroom
- class writing blogs and / or online magazine development
- creating virtual field trips
- having students publish their work
- Building collaboration within and outside school walls (bringing in community expertise into the classroom)
Hot topics in VT? How about putting together a workgroup to unpack ideas or showcase your schools work on:
- PLP development (VT Act 77)
- Proficiency based graduation requirements
- SBAC roundtable- two strands: technical/ test administration & pedagogical development paths to get kids ready
And we’re highlighting the Maker Movement as well:
- starting a ‘Maker’ program or ideas / discussions on how to grow one further
- building a programming culture: development / classes in elementary, middle, high school
- building apps development classes / groups
Take any idea and modify it, and introduce us to things that are not on the list.
We have some fantastic keynote speakers lined up to help inspire you! On Thursday we’ll bring you the youngest keynote speaker in VT history and Internet sensation… “Super Awesome Sylvia!
Sylvia is a 13-year old girl from Northern California who makes a web show called “Sylvia’s Super-Awesome Maker Show”. Sylvia is the inventor of the “WaterColorBot”, a watercolor painting robot and kit, is already a published author! Sylvia is a Maker Faire fanatic, tiger lover, and tinkerer. Check out more at: sylviashow.com.
A workshop with Sylvia at the conference: Meet and Make with Sylvia Todd, young Maker/Author
Description: Check out “Super-Awesome” Sylvia’s WaterColorBot in action, her new book on getting started with Arduino, interact with one of the books projects and get the chance to ask your questions during her 1-hour show and tell.
Our second keynote speaker for the VSLA is:
Andy Plemmons is the school library media specialist at David C. Barrow Elementary in Athens, GA and a Google Certified Teacher. His library program is grounded in transliteracy, participatory culture, and students as creators of content shared with the global community. Andy’s students are often seen skyping with authors, guest speakers, and the developers of the tools that they use in class. He also collaborates with libraries around the world. Some of his honors include the Georgia Exemplary Elementary Library Media Program, finalist for School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year, and the 2015 National School Board Association 20 to Watch. You can follow Andy’s work on Twitter @plemmonsa or on his blog http://barrowmediacenter.com, which was nominated for a 2014 Edublogs Award.
