Friday Institute News

Think Outside the Book

The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) extended an open invitation to thousands of educators across the world to attend a free, unique professional development experience. Think Outside the Book is on Saturday, April 30 at 9 am. Sessions, both virtual and in-person, include ways to integrate digital media and Web 2.0 tools into the classroom.

The DEN will host Dr. Lodge McCammon, a curriculum and contemporary media specialist, from the Friday Institute at North Carolina State University as the opening keynote speaker of the event. Dr. McCammon's program, FIZZ, encourages teachers to have 'No lecture in the classroom.'

FIZZ is a new, innovative approach to teaching that takes the traditional lecture out of the class, and opens instruction time for collaborative and engaging student learning activities. The goal is to find new ways to teach standards-based lessons with differentiated instruction so all types of learners have the chance to attain academic success. Lectures are delivered by the teacher through video homework so the students can utilize class time to the fullest, with varied activities that allow for higher-level instruction, understanding and application.

"FIZZ is training teachers to 'flip the classroom' and students are now watching their teacher lecture outside of the class," said McCammon. "This allows the teacher to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of their students—identifying and meeting the needs of each learner. FIZZ is a powerful and engaging model of education we can now offer this new generation of learners."

Katie Gimbar, Algebra teacher at Durant Road Middle School, is currently piloting the FIZZ program and is speaking about her experience on Saturday in Dr. McCammon's presentation, Time, Differentiation and Online Publishing. Ms. Gimbar, pictured above, received her Bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Mathematics and Science Education in 2006 from NC State University.

Dr. McCammon has been working with the DEN doing professional development and providing resources that education leaders can access in order to implement the FIZZ teaching methods. The DEN encourages educators worldwide to join the online or in-person sessions this weekend that will showcase:

• Deep exploration of the rich variety of digital content available within Discovery Education.
   
• Integration strategies and exemplar learning experiences to bring digital content alive in your classroom and engage students across the curriculum.
   
• Thorough exposure to a wealth of professional development resources including continuous support through the Discovery Educator Network.

The session will be filmed live from the University of Iowa, but remote site locations are listed here. If you'd like to attend the session virtually, click here.