Get SMART! Language & Literacy in Early Education
Harnessing the Power of Technology
The National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC] and the Fred Rogers Center (2012) established the basic principles and practices that should guide the use of technology and interactive media in the classroom. The key messages from this statement include: “When used intentionally and appropriately, technology and interactive media are effective tools to support learning and development. Intentional use requires early childhood teachers to have information and resources regarding the nature of these tools and implications of their use with young children” (Donohue & Schomburg, 2017, p. 73). Research further indicates the use of technology in early education allows for the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to easily be incorporated into the curriculum and everyday children’s experiences by “afford[ing] teachers the opportunity to create accessible classroom settings” for all learners (Parette & Blum, 2013, p. 9). Finally, according to Donohue and Schomburg (2017), “in-service professional development [is] needed to provide educators with the media literacy and technology skills to select, use, integrate, and evaluate technology tools for young children” (p. 77).
This workshop will provide participants with specific and simple strategies they can use to immediately integrate technology into their own classrooms. Participants will engage in hands-on experiences with the SMART board and related applications that have proven valuable and appropriate for the teaching and learning of language and literacy in preschool and kindergarten. Finally, they will explore the use of technology to enhance existing UDL practices and ensure that all children encounter valuable learning experiences.
Presenters:
Terresa Kepner, Specialization Coordinator for Early Education program at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV
Toni May, Teacher Candidate in Early Education program at Shepherd University
Jessica Baer, First-Year Teacher for RESA-8 Head Start in Berkeley County, WV
Samantha Scroggins, First-Year Teacher for RESA-8 Head Start in Jefferson County, WV
Harnessing the Power of Technology
The National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC] and the Fred Rogers Center (2012) established the basic principles and practices that should guide the use of technology and interactive media in the classroom. The key messages from this statement include: “When used intentionally and appropriately, technology and interactive media are effective tools to support learning and development. Intentional use requires early childhood teachers to have information and resources regarding the nature of these tools and implications of their use with young children” (Donohue & Schomburg, 2017, p. 73). Research further indicates the use of technology in early education allows for the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to easily be incorporated into the curriculum and everyday children’s experiences by “afford[ing] teachers the opportunity to create accessible classroom settings” for all learners (Parette & Blum, 2013, p. 9). Finally, according to Donohue and Schomburg (2017), “in-service professional development [is] needed to provide educators with the media literacy and technology skills to select, use, integrate, and evaluate technology tools for young children” (p. 77).
This workshop will provide participants with specific and simple strategies they can use to immediately integrate technology into their own classrooms. Participants will engage in hands-on experiences with the SMART board and related applications that have proven valuable and appropriate for the teaching and learning of language and literacy in preschool and kindergarten. Finally, they will explore the use of technology to enhance existing UDL practices and ensure that all children encounter valuable learning experiences.
Presenters:
Terresa Kepner, Specialization Coordinator for Early Education program at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV
Toni May, Teacher Candidate in Early Education program at Shepherd University
Jessica Baer, First-Year Teacher for RESA-8 Head Start in Berkeley County, WV
Samantha Scroggins, First-Year Teacher for RESA-8 Head Start in Jefferson County, WV
Leaders of Literacy: Campaign for Grade Level Reading
Transformative System of Support for Early Literacy
Grant Proposal / Contributor / Grant Approved and Received July 2017
The WV Leaders of Literacy: Campaign for Grade-Level Reading RESA grant competition was established to provide accessible funds to RESAs for projects to support County Campaigns for Grade-Level Reading within the RESA. To accomplish this goal the grant supports data-driven programs, initiatives, or efforts applicable to counties’ identified needs and goals associated with the approved action plans submitted to the WVDE Office of Early Learning.
Transformative System of Support for Early Literacy
Grant Proposal / Contributor / Grant Approved and Received July 2017
The WV Leaders of Literacy: Campaign for Grade-Level Reading RESA grant competition was established to provide accessible funds to RESAs for projects to support County Campaigns for Grade-Level Reading within the RESA. To accomplish this goal the grant supports data-driven programs, initiatives, or efforts applicable to counties’ identified needs and goals associated with the approved action plans submitted to the WVDE Office of Early Learning.
The Classroom and Beyond: Literacy and the Real World
Holistic Global Literacy: Using Children’s Literature to Bridge the Cultural Divide
Children’s literature often serves as the springboard for thematic learning opportunities in the preschool and kindergarten setting. A recent edition of NAEYC’s Young Children (November 2016) highlighted the increasing need for early childhood educators and programs to be more culturally responsive and to support the development of positive attitudes toward culture and race in young children. A key strategy for developing such positive attitudes is using children’s literature as a basis for valuable project-based learning experiences that expand and develop children’s appreciation for their own and others’ cultures. By offering hands on opportunities to sample other cultures, we invite greater understanding. In this workshop, participants will experience such activities for themselves and engage with others in planning for such learning opportunities in their own classrooms. Integrating language and literacy across the curriculum will be the focus of the workshop, and participants should be prepared to get a little messy!
Presenters:
Terresa Kepner, Specialization Coordinator for Early Education program at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV
Paulette Lashley, Director of the Early Learning Center and adjunct professor at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV
Holistic Global Literacy: Using Children’s Literature to Bridge the Cultural Divide
Children’s literature often serves as the springboard for thematic learning opportunities in the preschool and kindergarten setting. A recent edition of NAEYC’s Young Children (November 2016) highlighted the increasing need for early childhood educators and programs to be more culturally responsive and to support the development of positive attitudes toward culture and race in young children. A key strategy for developing such positive attitudes is using children’s literature as a basis for valuable project-based learning experiences that expand and develop children’s appreciation for their own and others’ cultures. By offering hands on opportunities to sample other cultures, we invite greater understanding. In this workshop, participants will experience such activities for themselves and engage with others in planning for such learning opportunities in their own classrooms. Integrating language and literacy across the curriculum will be the focus of the workshop, and participants should be prepared to get a little messy!
Presenters:
Terresa Kepner, Specialization Coordinator for Early Education program at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV
Paulette Lashley, Director of the Early Learning Center and adjunct professor at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV
Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning in the Online Classroom
This presentation will focus on the use of a few of the more recent tools available for instructors to provide hands-on, interactive learning for students in the online setting, including Zaption, PlayPosit, Glogster, and RawShorts. Using such technologies, the instructor is able to better blend the group and individual learning opportunities, incorporating both in-class and out-of-class experiences to provide a more meaningful educational experience. Making instructional decisions and utilizing technology to focus the learning experience on the student is one of the best practices in the field. An introduction to these four tools will allow and encourage instructors to develop supplemental materials for teaching and learning to enhance their students' experience in the classroom and beyond.
TIP: Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 2:30 pm
GEC: Wednesday, June 1, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
This presentation will focus on the use of a few of the more recent tools available for instructors to provide hands-on, interactive learning for students in the online setting, including Zaption, PlayPosit, Glogster, and RawShorts. Using such technologies, the instructor is able to better blend the group and individual learning opportunities, incorporating both in-class and out-of-class experiences to provide a more meaningful educational experience. Making instructional decisions and utilizing technology to focus the learning experience on the student is one of the best practices in the field. An introduction to these four tools will allow and encourage instructors to develop supplemental materials for teaching and learning to enhance their students' experience in the classroom and beyond.
TIP: Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 2:30 pm
GEC: Wednesday, June 1, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
Technology Tools for Innovation in the Online Classroom
In this session, a brief framework for understanding the most effective use of web tools in online learning will be reviewed. Multiple web tools will be demonstrated, and discussion will center on application in specific areas of instruction and expertise. Finally, audience members will be provided a resource listing other web tools to explore and use.
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 6:00 pm (ET): Technology, Innovation, and Presence Conference
In this session, a brief framework for understanding the most effective use of web tools in online learning will be reviewed. Multiple web tools will be demonstrated, and discussion will center on application in specific areas of instruction and expertise. Finally, audience members will be provided a resource listing other web tools to explore and use.
Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 6:00 pm (ET): Technology, Innovation, and Presence Conference
Don’t be a Teaching Fool: Come and Learn about Many a Web Tool!
Presented with Dena Au Coin
In this session, a brief framework for understanding the most effective use of web tools in online learning will be reviewed. Multiple web tools will be demonstrated, and discussion will center on application in specific areas of instruction and expertise. Finally, audience members will be provided a resource listing other web tools to explore and use.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 @ noon (ET): KU Village 2014
Presented with Dena Au Coin
In this session, a brief framework for understanding the most effective use of web tools in online learning will be reviewed. Multiple web tools will be demonstrated, and discussion will center on application in specific areas of instruction and expertise. Finally, audience members will be provided a resource listing other web tools to explore and use.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 @ noon (ET): KU Village 2014
Hitting the Streets: Thoughts on Working on a Virtual (Street) Team
Presented in Collaboration with the KU Village Street Team
KUV Street Team promotes KU Village as a way to sharpen our teaching skills and add to our professional development needs at Kaplan University. A virtual team can offer staff and faculty a wide spectrum to meet and share innovative ideas and approaches to foster a sense of community and shared values. We are working together to help build a learning community that enhances our connection to the university and to each other. The Street Team is a Community of Practice (COP) where people with common interests share ideas and techniques to solve problems, advance an agenda, and/or encourage participation. It is a virtual call to action that helps us stay engaged.
Poster Session: KU Village 2014
Presented in Collaboration with the KU Village Street Team
KUV Street Team promotes KU Village as a way to sharpen our teaching skills and add to our professional development needs at Kaplan University. A virtual team can offer staff and faculty a wide spectrum to meet and share innovative ideas and approaches to foster a sense of community and shared values. We are working together to help build a learning community that enhances our connection to the university and to each other. The Street Team is a Community of Practice (COP) where people with common interests share ideas and techniques to solve problems, advance an agenda, and/or encourage participation. It is a virtual call to action that helps us stay engaged.
Poster Session: KU Village 2014