SDB 2012 Conference
While I always feel recharged and energized after attending the annual SDB Conference, this particular one — with its theme "The Teacher as a Co-Learner in the Digital Age" — is making me spring into action immediately. I want my students to begin creating their digital or electronic portfolios. I stayed up late Saturday night in my hotel room to read articles and peruse websites. Then I emailed my superintendent yesterday (right after the Super Bowl) and asked for a scanner, a digital camera, and Google accounts for my students. He walked into my classroom during first period today to drop off this little package. Hooray for admin support!
Saturday morning speakers were also engaging and informative. Marina Koestler Ruben spoke of "Helping Kids Engage, Connect, and Organize for the Twenty-First Century." Her book How to Tutor Your Own Child is a must-read for parents and anyone working with schoolchildren. Throughout Ms. Ruben's book, she has practical advice in her "Tutor Toolbox" snippets. She also has a valid point to caution us not to let kids Google too soon — I can see a similarity in my math class when I tell my students to never tell an answer and remind them, "You're robbing someone of their thinking!"
Dr. Trent Batson's topic was on "Co-Learning by Building Evidence of Learning in an Electronic Portfolio." Mr. Sayeed Choudhury from Johns Hopkins University rounded out the morning with his talk on "The Teacher as Inspiration in the Data Age."
Also a highlight at each conference is for me to visit with my fellow Fellows and meet new people. Like others, I wished the conference lasted another day — and maybe because we were at Four Seasons Hotel. Only a geek like me would take pictures of a hotel room — but it was more to show my kids that I did not really miss them.
Saturday morning speakers were also engaging and informative. Marina Koestler Ruben spoke of "Helping Kids Engage, Connect, and Organize for the Twenty-First Century." Her book How to Tutor Your Own Child is a must-read for parents and anyone working with schoolchildren. Throughout Ms. Ruben's book, she has practical advice in her "Tutor Toolbox" snippets. She also has a valid point to caution us not to let kids Google too soon — I can see a similarity in my math class when I tell my students to never tell an answer and remind them, "You're robbing someone of their thinking!"
Dr. Trent Batson's topic was on "Co-Learning by Building Evidence of Learning in an Electronic Portfolio." Mr. Sayeed Choudhury from Johns Hopkins University rounded out the morning with his talk on "The Teacher as Inspiration in the Data Age."
Also a highlight at each conference is for me to visit with my fellow Fellows and meet new people. Like others, I wished the conference lasted another day — and maybe because we were at Four Seasons Hotel. Only a geek like me would take pictures of a hotel room — but it was more to show my kids that I did not really miss them.
However, as wonderful and pampered as the hotel facilities were, I was hugely disappointed with the meals there — dry meats and bland everything! Luckily Ted came by Saturday evening to rescue me to dinner at The Napa Tavern nearby — our dishes were simply amazing. (The chefs at the hotel need to eat at this restaurant.)
Of course I owe this annual SDB Conference to Ishan. Thank you so much, Ishan, for helping me become a better teacher each and every day.
Posted by fawnnguyen at February 6, 2012 11:33 PM 
Categories: Teaching
Tags: Johns Hopkins CTY Sarah D. Barder Fellow digital portfolio e-portfolio Four Seasons Westlake Village
Categories: Teaching
Tags: Johns Hopkins CTY Sarah D. Barder Fellow digital portfolio e-portfolio Four Seasons Westlake Village
Left a much longer one a week ago, but must not have done something correctly-- in any event, Fawn has summed up a thought-provoking weekend very succinctly and expressively! Thanks.
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Thanks, Gordon! It was great connecting with you again at the conference. Let's stay in touch on the e-portfolios.
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