REMC XI Discoveries

After School DiscoveryA 60 minute introduction to Discovery Education streaming for new users.

How do we get teachers started with Discovery Education streaming when you only have 60 minutes before or after school? It is not ideal. The time is short, teachers are fatigued after a day of teaching, and many other duties are calling. A two-hour or half-day is much more effective. But an after school session may be all we have.

This 60 minute event is one approach to the after school professional learning experience for as many as 10 to 12 participants. It is designed to introduce new users to streaming. Download the detailed After School Discovery at After School Discovery Document or visit our site at BCISD Instructional Technology.

Quality professional learning should be an on-going process. This event should be viewed as one step in learning to implement digital media.

Goals

The goals of this session are to:

• Learn how to log on to the streaming site and observe updating the user profile
• Learn how to use the search tools
• Learn to play and download a video segment
• Discover the Teacher Center
• Learn where to find help
• Begin to build a professional learning community locally and through participation in Discovery Educator Network (DEN).

Step-by-Step

1. Welcome and set the stage
2. Log on and look at your profile
3. Search for content using the search tools
4. Search for a video, locate the segments, and play a segment
5. Download a video segment
6. The Teacher Center
7. Professional Development
8. Professional Learning Community and DEN

So, when you are called on to do that after school introductory session, this 60 minute lesson plan may be just the ticket! Download the detailed After School Discovery at After School Discovery Document

The Instructional Technology Department and REMC XI of the Berrien County Intermediate School District (BCISD) in southwest Michigan has provided streaming teacher workshops for some time. BCISD is a regional education service agency that provides professional development and curriculum support in a three county area. BCISD deploys content consultants in the core areas of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies, as well as instructional technology, fine arts, health and career technical education.

Recently, Dennis Lundgren, Director of Instructional Technology and a STAR Educator, applied a train-the-trainers model as he demonstrated to the content consultants the power of integrating digital media into the curriculum. The goal is to utilize digital media in lessons designed to increase student achievement. The consultants are also encouraged to model the use of streaming in their presentations.

This has equipped the content consultants to include streaming as part of their “toolbox” in assisting teachers and administrators with curriculum design and course content. The power in this approach is that technology integration is not only a mission for the Instructional Technology Department but also for all the consultants and trainers who work with the school districts in the service area. Many more educators are exposed to digital media using this approach. Teachers are encouraged to:

1. Utilize searches using the curriculum standards
2. Embed video, photos and other resources in presentation software
3. Use assignment builder and writing prompts as part of their lessons
4. Join DEN!

For more information about BCISD Instructional Services and REMC XI visit www.bcisdtech.org.