Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned

From Student Programs
On gaining new knowledge from the program…

Content Provider: Adora Svitak
Program Title: Book Reviews Made Easy with Adora

Impact on Learning
“Students were able to connect to a "real" author that is their age and hear from someone else besides their teacher about what the important elements are to include in a quality book review. They were really motivated to go and get writing on their own reviews! My only disappointment was my own mistake, I wish we had scheduled it far enough in advance so that students would have the books and be able to read more of the book prior to this experience.”

Increase in Educator Knowledge
“I learned new ways to present book reviews to my students; for example, doing a sample review of a short story that we all read together first.”

Recommend? Yes
“Adora is an excellent presenter and she really gets the students interested. The assignments and tasks she asked them to do were appropriate and great to keep them engaged!”

Comments:
“The one tip could be to have Adora check that the audience connecting can see her visual presentation. We were not seeing it, and did not realize that there was one. She did a terrific job verbally, and we did not realize we were missing the visual.”
- Elementary Teacher, Grades 4-5

Content Provider: Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (Canada)
Program Title: Dinosaurs in the Movies

 Impact on Learning
“Several boys in the front row were raising their hands in response to Kevin's questions about the conflicts in what we know about dinosaurs and what the movies represented. The audience learning about animation was engaged and they were inspired to take home the printed packets and make their own dino animation.”

Increase in Educator Knowledge
“New information about DNA collection from Amber.”

Recommend? Yes
“The document camera had a very good resolution. We could see the difference in the dino teeth clearly.”

Comments:
“The volume in the audio seemed to raise and lower.”
- Library, Canada

Content Provider: NASA's Digital Learning Network (Johnson Space Center)
Program Title: Reduced Gravity: Effects on the Human Body

Impact on Learning
“Students debriefed by writing one thing they found most interesting about the program and writing questions they still have. The responses were varied and showed that students had learned things and wanted to know more.”

Increase in Educator Knowledge
“It was early in the year to have a videoconference and the students needed more prep.”

 Recommend? Yes
“It is engaging and informative.”

Comments:
“It was a great closure to our unit on risks and consequences.”
- Elementary Teacher, Grade 4

Content Provider: Philadelphia Museum of Art
Program Title: Art of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

Impact on Learning
“We actually asked for this program as an enrichment activity for our Japanese Club, so it was not directly tied to a class or curriculum. Students were quiet and engaged throughout the presentation. I think it was an excellent use of time and money.”

Increase in Educator Knowledge
“I am a Japanese language teacher who spent several years living in Japan, but I do not have the art background that the museum provides.”

Recommend? Yes
“Excellent program and a good introduction to both the Japanese Tea Ceremony and the Philadelphia Museum's collection.”

Comments:
“This is an excellent program and I plan to do it again.”
- High School Teacher, Japanese

From Professional Development Sessions
…as a tool for teacher learning

PD Provider:  Bullying.org, Bill Belsey
Program Title:  An Introduction to Bullying for Educators

Did you or you educators gain new knowledge or skills form participating in this program? Yes
“Educators can learn a lot about bullying in a really easy, affordable and yet deep way. The research and supporting information and resources are current and were very relevant to my professional learning needs.”

Comments
“I hope I can do my part in helping to spread the good news of the great program that you have started. I am going to encourage my parents to visit your site and to take the courses that you have available and of course all of my teachers will be new students soon.”

“I want to encourage educators and parents everywhere to take your excellent courses!”
- Administrators

PD Provider: Learning Unlimited, Kimberly Tyson

Did you or you educators gain new knowledge or skills form participating in this program? Yes
“Wow, I'm thrilled! I love it when I leave a workshop and know exactly what to do and can start tomorrow!“
- Elementary teacher

“I learned so much! You were fantastic, great pacing.“
- Middle school teacher

“My teachers found the workshop to be relevant, to the point, and gave them practical ideas to use in the classroom!“
- MS/HS Principal

PD Provider: Cleveland Museum of Art, Dale Hilton
Program Title: Teacher Workshop: Introduction to videoconferencing with the CMA

Did you or you educators gain new knowledge or skills form participating in this program? Yes
“Dale Hilton shared information about the visual history of America. I knew only a few of the artists represented, and very little of the history surrounding the visual arts in America.”

“Absolutely, especially for use in an AP curriculum where the visual is often neglected. The connection the visual learners were able to make the history is important.”
- AP History Teacher