Teachers Go Digital
The Friday Institute was pleased to host The New Literacies Teacher Leader Institute from July 12 – 17, 2009. The institute entitled, “New Literacies, Inquiry, Equity: Teacher Leaders for a New Educational Era,” focused on how new digital tools can create challenging and engaging learning opportunities for students and teachers. Forty-eight teachers from across the country (and China) came together to share ideas, learn from leaders in the field of new literacies, engage in project-based inquiry, and to answer the question: What will you contribute as a new literacies teacher leader?
Teachers were inspired by featured speakers such as Don Leu from the University of Connecticut; Yong Zhao, Director of the Confucius Institute at Michigan State; Milton Chen, Director of Edutopia; Cindy Williamson, Director of Curriculum & Instruction at NC DPI; and Joselyn Todd, from Cary Academy.
Participants engaged in Cool Tool sessions that featured Second Life, Voicethread, Fizz, Trailfire, SAS Curriculum Pathways and many others. Teachers collaborated with a partner to create an innovative inquiry project based on their state’s curriculum standards that culminated in a Design Studio Showcase where they shared the projects with each other.
Throughout the week teachers engaged in 21st century forms of communication using twitter, nings, and wikis. Teachers grasped new visions and knowledge of how to tap students’ curiosity, unleash creativity, engender 21st century skills, and be change agents for a new educational era.
Institute sponsors included the NC Business Committee for Education and BB&T.
To view the projects and join in the ongoing dialogue visit www.newlit.org
Additional information and resources about the institute can be found at www.fi.ncsu.edu/newliteraciesinstitute.html.