In order for students to be prepared for a more complex life and work environment, a 21st-century classroom must promote creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Technology tools allow students to create video, audio, text, and images provide an opportunity to enhance higher order thinking skills. Participants will explore a variety of resources for planning and creating multimedia projects. Participants will develop ideas for creating podcasts, online storybooks, and videos, becoming media producers, not just consumers.

This session was created by the secondary Vanguards and other technology-driven educators at our campus. The goal for our session is to revive and expand previously utilized technology-directed lessons by actively looking for advice, information, and novel ideas from other forward-thinking and technologically advanced teachers. We selected an educator from each subject (core and extracurricular) who would be interested in revitalizing a lesson/project or expanding their knowledge from intermediate to expert in reference to specific apps or software. The session is intended for those at Confluence who have previously prepared a lesson they want to improve upon, have a lesson they would like to share that utilizes technology, and be open to change in their classroom. It is meant to be fast-paced with the opportunity for spontaneous breakout groups. Other educators are encouraged to come by and bring their own lessons they would like to improve. 

In the standardized testing era, students are too often asked to memorize facts and/or recall ideas without being expected to retain a deeper understanding of information. Depth in learning comes from focusing on critical thinking, evaluation of information, and tapping into students’ intrinsic curiosity. This session is designed to support educators in creating inquiry-based lessons with a focus on  critical thinking and problem-solving skills; both of which  enhance student performance in and out of the classroom. Applying and integrating inquiry-based lessons into  instruction allows students to be independent learners and educators to increase the relevance of their lessons. Participants will learn instructional techniques and tools to develop experiences that include: 

Collaboration among students

Creation of open-ended questions

Student reflection

Efficient internet searching

Application of problem-solving to real-life scenarios

Additionally, this session will explore appropriate digital tools that will allow all students to be active learners, i.e., create and apply knowledge.

Forget Virtual Reality and venture into ACTUAL Reality!! 

In this session we will get our hands off our computers and onto the stuff of the earth - pottery clay. Come build a clay mug!

Since ceramic work is a multi-phase process which requires building, kiln firing, glazing, and firing again; this workshop session will not allow us to completely finish the cups, but we will set up a later date (maybe during August PD) when those interested can return to do the finishing touches... or you might just enjoy the process, do the craftwork, and donate your piece to the Art Dept. for fundraising later in the year.

C'mon, get low.... tech, and make ART!