It seems like summer is usually about two things that are potentially polar opposites: vacation and professional development. One relaxing and fun-filled, the other full of work and deadlines. Or so I thought...
I'm happy to say that I had the opportunity to participate in some really great professional development this summer. The Vermont Geographic Alliance's 2008 Summer Institute for Educators managed to combine intense and eye-opening content with collegiality and fun. On more than one occassion I thought to myself, "Every Vermont student should be learning about this." Current geographic issues are some of the most pressing our world is facing today. Learning about these, and learning to use up-to-date geographic technology are crucial ways to assure that our kids are ready to be citizens of the 21st century.
Some of the interesting things we learned about were:
*Google Maps
*Google Earth
*The Gap Minder (a very interesting web site that takes current geographic data and makes it visible for you and your students) http://www.gapminder.org/
*GPS
*Geocaching
*Geography-centered literature at the elementary level
*Geography lessons at the elementary level
*Vermont's topography
*Resources from the Fleming Museum
*New curriculum from National Geographic being piloted by Vermont teachers
*The America Over There: A Look at Contemporary American Colonies and Overseas Military
*Migration to the U.S.
*Illegal immigration in Vermont, the human conditions it creates, and its importance to Vermont's agricultural economy
*Arctic melting
*Historical geography of Vermont
Let me know if you would like any more information on the above topics. And please consider applying for VGA's summer institute next year!
- Did you participate in any good professional development this summer that you would like to recommend to your colleagues? Use this blog as a forum for sharing this information.
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