Denny Taylor displaying a common sucker while seining Silver Creek
Photo by Holly Wells
The Central Role of High School Teachers as Role Models
The ISLS learning community model is dependent upon the participation of high school teachers who model their excitement and commitment to student learning in science subjects. We are committed to supporting these heroes of tomorrow's leaders in science education and research. These teachers will bring to the learning community their experience, enthusiasm, and knowledge as learning modules are developed by each core learning community.
Support for High School Teachers
Each ISLS Academy High School Teacher will receive:
- A $2,000 stipend;
- 3 continuing education credits through the institution that recruited them;
- A netbook laptop - technology to be used throughout the Academy;
- Paid participation at the 2010 Learning, Libraries, and Technology conference in Columbus Ohio (registration, meals, and transportation included);
- Paid participation in the ISLS Summer Institute at Hiram College (June 11 - 18);
- Paid participation in 4 workshops associated with the Academy; and
- Reimbursement for substitute teachers to districts for days missed with the workshops and the LLT conference.
Professional Development Opportunities
The summer institute course provides opportunities for professional development including, but not limited to, the following areas:
Technology
Uses of technology in teaching science thorough workshops with learning community activities on effective use of:
- iGoogle,
- Google docs, sites, and groups,
- Blogger,
- Picasa,
- webpage development using HTML,
- Netbooks in science education,
- Photoediting,
- Science information databases, and
- Field science equipment and programs including laser levels, water monitoring equipment and plotting software and,
- Introduction to Moodle and SAKAI, Ohio's Open Source Course Management System, and enrollment of your district in the Open Source Pilot Program for Sakai of the Ohio Learning Network
Learning
Use of techniques and tools for promoting effective learning in science including:
- Experimental design planning sheets,
- learning according to disciplines,
- preparing for and taking tests,
- critical thinking and reading of texts,
- writing scientifically,
- effective methods for transmitting scientific discoveries
- teaching and learning styles
The exact materials to be covered in the institute will be determined in part by consultation with the 10 Academy High School teachers during the mid-Spring Pre-Conference workshop.
Curriculum Development
A major product of the Academy will be the creation of curricular materials that are:
- aligned to state standards for science education,
- designed by each school's learning community with the benefit of feedback by the talented Academy scholars of each district,
- linked to the success of the cleanup of our own watershed and celebration of the 40th anniversary of the burning of the Cuyahoga River,
- designed by teachers to meet the limitations and opportunities of their own district and high school, and
- discussed and supported by a network of other high school teachers, university professors, government agency specialists in education and science and individuals in private industry concerned about promoting science education.