Seminars
The seminars are opportunities for Interns to come together and discuss educationally relevant topics to the Interns and their teaching context. These seminars will take place online through through a web conferencing system. There will be 4 of these seminars scheduled at intervals throughout the semester (one introductory sessions and then 3 official sessions).
Scheduling: If the seminars are during class time please inform your Mentor Teacher and have them cover for you during those times (let them know well in advance and remind them).
Seminar Equipment Requirements
- computer with Internet access (the faster the better)
- microphone
- computer speakers
- web cam
A web camera will be great if you have access to fast Internet - if you have slow Internet access (e.g. telephone dial up) then stick with voice only but you will still need a microphone and speakers.
Procedure
Students will self-select topics and come prepared to present and discuss those topics on their assigned seminar.
Introductory Seminar (Seminar 1)
The first seminar will be dedicated to becoming familiar with the web conferencing system and to share PS III startup experiences and goals. In addition, we will talk about subsequent seminar topics and procedures.
Seminar Workshop Description (Seminar 1-3)
During seminars 1-3, each intern takes a turn presenting a workshop topic. The workshops will be on a topic of your choosing (see the list of ideas below).
Seminar Procedures
The workshop/presentations will have three components:
- The facilitator will identify a potential topic for the seminar discussion and check the topic listing to ensure no one else has selected that same topic. The workshop facilitator will then send the instructor an email identifying a seminar topic. The instructor will approve the topic.
- The facilitator will research the topic. The nature of the research will be dependent on the topic. It might include searching journal databases, it might mean observing students and collecting data, it could involve interviewing other teachers, etc.
- During the seminar session, the facilitator will present the basic concepts/issues of the topic and provide illustrations as necessary and or engage the group in a conversation about the topic. That should take 5-10 minutes.
- Following the presentation an assigned responder will provide significant responses; this could be in the form of questions, a comment or experience relevant to the topic. It is best to come prepared. This should be brief.
- The workshop facilitator will lead a 5 minute discussion devoted to encouraging dialogue, critical thought and questions.
The duration of entire workshop/presentation should be about 15 minutes.
Each intern has been assigned as a facilitator and responder.
Workshop Facilitator Preparation: Preparation for a typical workshop would involve researching the topic, outlining what you want to address, compiling resources to be shared, and listing ideas that will promote discussion. Develop a formal presentation/discussion and prepare to engage the class in the topic. You can use a PowerPoint but too many bullet points will put everyone to sleep. Principles of effective presentations teach that minimal bullet points and images help. You can use a variety of presentation tools; consider how you will share other types of presentations (email the Faculty Adivsor if you have questions).
Here is a link to principles of effective presentations:
Workshop Responder Preparation: Preparation to be a responder would involve limited research of the topic (less so than the facilitator); think of probing questions or issues relevant to the topic that the Facilitator may miss. Think of some significant contribution to move the conversation along. Nothing formal but more informal questioning or sharing an experiences relevant to the topic. A bit of research on the topic is useful particularly if it adds a different perspective.
Seminar Dates
- Introductory Seminar - TBA
- Seminar 1 - TBA
- Seminar 2 - TBA
- Seminar 3 - TBA
Zoom - Web Conferencing
Here is the link to download the Zoom Software that you will need to connect to the seminars through online web conferencing:
Below is a video to get you started with Zoom:
Please check out the following instructional files to get you started with Zoom web conferencing. Please attend to the instructions as soon as possible - it will probably fail if you wait on this.
Note: that this requires an install so school computers that are locked up are not good options for this. Schools sometimes have firewalls which can be block this as well - best to test well ahead of time.
The audio actually works best if you use headphone or wear earbuds (less sound echoing through the microphones).
| zoom_signin_room_1_mac.pdf |
| zoom_signin_room_1_pc.pdf |
Topics for first seminar
Our agenda is simple for this first seminar. Please come prepared to:
- describe your teaching scenario.
- describe one unexpected positive
- describe one challenge you are faced with
- share ideas for your Professional Inquiry Project (those maybe tentative at this point).
- share any questions/concerns (at the end of the session)
Topic and Date Assignments
Check out the following document to see when you are assigned to present and respond. You can also enter your presentation topic. We will try to minimize the redundancy between the topics by sharing those through the Googledocs file.
- Seminar Topics and Schedule (Googledoc file - not linked yet)
Topics for Seminars
This activity is meant to be as authentic as possible. To accomplish that, the workshop topics need to relate to issues that are important and relevant to the context of your PS III experience but also of interest to the rest of the group.
Sources of topics:
- topics related to issues relevant to your situation - issues relevant to you today
- topics from articles, chapter from books, web sites, or other resource that deals with the topic
- educational topics discussed in the staff room
- engaging conversation about learning that have taken place with your teacher mentor or other staff
- issues raised by parents
- an experience that causes you to think about how you should proceed as an educator
- a current teaching/learning approach
Example topics:
- parent/teacher interviews
- long range planning
- classroom management
- legal issues - in loco parentis, etc.
- integrating technology
- safe and caring school environments
- alternative forms of assessment - e.g. visual forms
- action research in the classroom
- assessment for learning
- differentiated instruction
- other topics relevant to your context?