Engage, reflect, connect
Now more than ever, teachers are isolated, with few opportunities to share their experiences with colleagues. Our digital conference, In Practice, allows educators to engage with colleagues and reflect on their school year, while turning their sights toward next year in a meaningful and productive setting. This year's conference will focus on critical reflection and community connection through the lens of teaching and learning during the COVID-19 crisis. Participants will have the opportunity to move through modules centered around the following themes:
- Critical reflection: We get teachers talking by creating a space for them to reflect on this year's experiences, share promising practices, and be critically reflective about their challenges. We use multiple modalities for teacher expression, including graphing, mapping, poetry, prose, and more.
- Peer-to-peer discourse: We get teachers trying by engaging them with what they already know and do. We create a space for teachers to think about their world from new perspectives, and we do this with high interaction and engagement, rather than passive listening.
- Inspiration: We get teachers together by designing experiences that actively engage participants in the work that informs each of our signature initiatives. Sessions offer topics relevant to educators and create space for them to share prior knowledge and experiences as they consider new practices.
Throughout In Practice, educators will be able to:
- Participate in content discussion groups
- Share successes and dilemmas with colleagues
- Engage in critical reflection and collaboration
- Interrogate relevant research
- Learn about and use effective protocols for K-12 classrooms
Sessions
Each module of this conference includes 5-6 sessions (17 sessions total), linked by topic. You can participate in as many sessions per module as you'd like. New sessions will become available each week, starting July 8.
Within each session, you'll receive:
Within each session, you'll receive:
- Direct instruction
- Focused content
- Assignments designed for implementation in a distance learning setting
- Discussion prompts to increase community and collaboration between colleagues
- Ready-to-use resources that support teaching in a remote learning environment
Module 1: Critical reflection
This module includes five sessions focused on critical reflection through one of the following lenses — you may participate in as many sessions from this module as you like.
Sessions included:
Sessions included:
- Critical Reflection through: Curriculum inventory
- Critical Reflection through: Graphing & Mapping
- Critical Reflection through: Music & Meditation
- Critical Reflection through: Poetry & Prose
- Critical Reflection through: Reflection Unbound
Module 2: Breaking down barriers to highly effective practice
This module includes six sessions focused on the Danielson Framework — you may participate in as many sessions from this module as you like.
Sessions included:
Sessions included:
- 1e: Designing Coherent Instruction
- 2a: A Culture for Learning
- 2d: Managing Student Behavior
- 3b: From Q&A to Q&D
- 3c: Engaging Students in Learning
- 3d Assessment for Learning
Module 3: Bridging theory and practice
This module includes six sessions focused on CPET's signature sessions, which include concepts from our signature initiatives — you may participate in as many sessions from this module as you like.
Sessions included:
Sessions included:
- Coaching Colleagues: Leadership for Adult Learners
- Keep the Kids Talking: Practices for Questions & Discussions
- 21st Century Learning: Lessons from the Global Learning Alliance
- Literacy Unbound: Reimagining Texts & Teaching
- Student Press Initiative: Raising the Bar for Student Writing
- Teacher’s Toolkit: Practical Moves for Early Career Teachers
FAQ
Registration
What does the registration fee include?
Registering for this opportunity will give you access to all 18 sessions listed above, for the cost of one registration fee ($50). You can complete as many sessions within the conference as you'd like, and can earn up to 40 CTLE hours for your participation (if you're a teacher in NYS).
What are CTLE hours, and should I register for them?
Beginning in 2016, a registered holder of a NYS professional classroom teaching certificate, educational leadership certificate, or Level III teaching assistant certificate is required to successfully complete 100 Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours. Teachers College is a state-approved provider of CTLE hours, and participants can earn up to 40 hours for participating in this opportunity. Participation will be verified before CTLE credits are awarded.
CTLE information must be included on your registration form. If you decline CTLE hours at the time of registration and change your mind afterward, you'll need to contact us prior to the start of this conference. Once you begin, we'll be unable to accommodate new CTLE requests.
CTLE information must be included on your registration form. If you decline CTLE hours at the time of registration and change your mind afterward, you'll need to contact us prior to the start of this conference. Once you begin, we'll be unable to accommodate new CTLE requests.
Is there a New Teacher Network membership discount available for this opportunity?
Yes! Current NTN members can receive access to all sessions in this conference for free. To receive your membership discount code, you'll need to contact [email protected] so that your membership can be verified. Once it's been verified, you will receive a promo code that will discount your registration 100%. You'll still be required to complete a registration form.
Can I pay for my registration with a purchase order?
Absolutely! Have your school contact [email protected] to initiate this process.
In your message, please make sure to provide:
This information will allow us to provide you with the documentation needed to create a PO. This documentation will include our vendor & DOE contract numbers.
Once we've received a PO, we will provide your school with a promo code to distribute to the teachers they are funding. The promo code will allow you to bypass Eventbrite's payment section, so that there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. You will still be required to complete a registration form.
In your message, please make sure to provide:
- your school name & address
- contact information (name & email) for the person who handles POs & payments at your school
- the number of teachers interested in registering for this opportunity
This information will allow us to provide you with the documentation needed to create a PO. This documentation will include our vendor & DOE contract numbers.
Once we've received a PO, we will provide your school with a promo code to distribute to the teachers they are funding. The promo code will allow you to bypass Eventbrite's payment section, so that there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. You will still be required to complete a registration form.
I have a promo code — where do I enter it?
Please see the blue text in the registration section that says "Enter promo code". Click that text, enter your code, and click "Apply". From there, you can continue with your registration as usual.
These sessions have already started. Can I still register?
Yes! You can register through July 22, 2020.
Because each person can move through these sessions at their own pace, you won't be behind. You can simply jump in wherever you'd like.
Because each person can move through these sessions at their own pace, you won't be behind. You can simply jump in wherever you'd like.
How do I change or cancel my registration?
If you need to change or cancel your registration for any reason, contact us at [email protected].
If you choose to cancel your registration, we will be able to offer you a refund as long as you have not yet accepted the invitation to join the conference.
If you choose to cancel your registration, we will be able to offer you a refund as long as you have not yet accepted the invitation to join the conference.
Access & participation
How do I access these sessions?
If you register by July 6, you can expect to receive the invitation by July 8, when the first set of sessions will become available.
If you register after July 6, you can expect to receive the invitation within 48 hours of registration.
Once you've registered, you will receive an email invitation to join our digital platform from Teachers College Canvas. From there, you will be able to set up a username and password.
Session materials will be accessible immediately following your acceptance of the invitation.
If you register after July 6, you can expect to receive the invitation within 48 hours of registration.
Once you've registered, you will receive an email invitation to join our digital platform from Teachers College Canvas. From there, you will be able to set up a username and password.
- Go to MyTC Portal (my.tc.columbia.edu)
- Click on the "Non-UNI Canvas Login" link
- Enter your email and password. If you didn't create one or have forgotten, simply click on the "Forgot Password?" link on the Canvas login page
- On the Canvas dashboard, accept any course invitations, if prompted
- You may also access the course on your mobile device through the Canvas Student App
Session materials will be accessible immediately following your acceptance of the invitation.
When will more sessions become available?
The first set of sessions will become available on July 8, 2020. New sessions will continue to be released each week through July 22.
What does a module include?
For this digital conference, each module includes a set of sessions that are linked by topic. You are welcome to participate in all sessions in each module, or choose only those that most interest you.
Each session will include the following elements:
*You can earn 1 CTLE credit for each completed discussion prompt, and 1 CTLE credit for each completed assignment. Some sessions will have opportunities for additional engagement, which will allow you to earn additional CTLE hours (up to a maximum of 40 hours).
Each session will include the following elements:
- Instructional talks: A series of 3-4 short videos that break down the topic, provide examples, pose questions, and invite further reflection.
- Key resources: Downloadable resources for you to read, review, or use in your instruction.
- Discussion prompt*: Each module will pose a reflection question, which you can respond to using the discussion board. We want to hear from each person in the discussion board at least one time, and want each person to respond to a minimum of 2 other posts.
- Assignment*: Practical, hands-on assignments that will help you implement the content of the module and reflect on your experiences.
*You can earn 1 CTLE credit for each completed discussion prompt, and 1 CTLE credit for each completed assignment. Some sessions will have opportunities for additional engagement, which will allow you to earn additional CTLE hours (up to a maximum of 40 hours).
Do I have to participate in all sessions?
No. You can participate in as many as you'd like, but you're not required to participate in all sessions.
How much time will it take me to complete these sessions?
There's no set time to complete each session, as you'll move through them at your own pace, and the number of sessions you're looking to complete will have an impact on the time needed. However, you can estimate that each session will take approximately 2 hours to complete.
Will I be expected to be online on specific days / at certain times?
No; this conference is asynchronous. You can move through each module/session at your own pace.
How do I earn CTLE credits?
CTLEs are based on participation and completion of the course assignments and discussions. Completion of a task equals 1 CTLE credit.
Do I need to complete these sessions by a specific date?
All sessions must be completed by July 29, 2020 at 11:59pm.
