AISA 2019 Invitational Conference
 
Educator Strands
Osarume Akenzua

Deep Dive: Bridging the Gap between the classroom and the world of work
Session Description

We have all heard the arguments of a growing disconnect between the classroom and employer expectations but where and what are the potential connection points to bridge the gap? What are the competencies required to thrive in the 21st century world of work? What role do you play in bridging the gap between your classroom and this world of work? What are some practical ways to get started?

Target Audience:
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
  • Know what 21st century global competencies are in demand and why
  • Understand current gaps between industry and classroom and why they exist
  • Develop solutions and commitments to bridge the gap

Mudi Danmole-Logun & Luisa Cappuccio

Deep Dive: Emotions As The Key For Creating Engaged Foreign Language Learning
Session Description

The participants will learn about the mechanisms underlying the emotional brain and how they influence learning. After exploring the connections between the brain-based research and the requirements of a Foreign Language curriculum, the participants will evaluate their present teaching practices. The participants will apply the information in creating a brain-friendly Foreign Language lesson plan.

Target Audience: Upper Elementary - Middle School Foreign Language Teachers
Learning Objectives

  • Participants will understand the fundamentals of the emotional brain and it’s connections to learning.
  • Participants will explore the key components of a FL curriculum using brain-based research information.
  • Participants will evaluate the practices they currently have in place in their classrooms and compare them to the possible practices in a FL brain-friendly class.
  • Participants will create a preliminary design for two elements of the brain-friendly framework that support the conditions of cognitive and emotional safety in their FL classes

Cindy Clifford

Deep Dive: Moving Beyond the Textbook - Using Inquiry, Technology and Hands-On Materials to Develop Mathematical Concepts
Session Description

Participants will experience examples of inquiry-based instruction in mathematics and will discuss how these fit into their current curriculum models. They will also discuss what brain research says about learning mathematics and about the growth mindset. They will discuss how to "open up" activities to allow for more challenge and choice. Participants will then have the opportunity to work together to develop meaningful activities to bring back to their own classroom.

Target Audience: Middle and High School Math Teachers
Learning Objectives

  • Participants will experience several different learning engagements they might use with their own students. These will include activities designed to develop algebraic understanding and functions awareness as well as activities to develop a stronger conceptual understanding of statistics.
  • Participants will analyze these activities and consider how they might help students to develop a growth mindset and how they might more effectively provide a differentiated experience for students (through the Depth of Knowledge Framework) while also helping to develop appropriate habits of mind such as perseverance and inquiry.
  • Participants will have an opportunity to work with colleagues to create their own concept-based mathematics lessons to use in their own schools.
  • Participants will become familiar with a variety of wonderful sources for concept-based activities and lessons.
  • Participants will expand their professional learning community and will share the work they have done during the workshop.

Dan Luce

Deep Dive: What Are They Thinking? - Understanding the Adolescent Brain
Session Description

In this session, attendees will understand how technology has contributed to a better understanding of brain development. Participants will examine how these revelations have helped to change or confirm what we know about the adolescent brain. Lastly, attendees will learn a variety of strategies to assist their students to more effectively navigate what is often the most awkward time in their school lives.

Target Audience: Middle Level Leaders and teachers, Coaches and Instructional Assistants
Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:
  • Understand the key concepts of adolescent brain development
  • Explain how brain development effects learning and the classroom culture
  • Discuss advances in technology that have given us insights into workings of the adolescent brain.
  • Explore ways to help middle level student navigate the challenges of learning, managing themselves and contributing to a healthy school climate
  • Consider how to apply workshop learning to participant’s own classrooms and school wide structures

David Schult

Deep Dive: Making the Most of Free & Open Source Software & Educational Resources
Session Description

A wealth of educational software too often comes with advertisements, malware or viruses. How can you get quality, truly free educational software? Participants will learn to navigate Free & Open Source Software sites.

Target Audience: Technology Teachers
Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of FOSS alternatives to paid software
  • Observe a demonstration of the Edubuntu O/S
  • Download the F-Droid app & navigate to the Science/Education software & install on an Android phone
  • Demonstrate familiarity with resources available via the California Free Textbook initiative

Eric Taylor

Deep Dive: Teaching 21st Century Skills Using Hip Hop Music
Session Description

In this interactive session, participants will discover ways in which hip hop music can be used to teach 21st century skills in any classroom. We will analyze examples of hip hop lyrics and music to make connections between the language arts, history, and social justice issues. We will discuss and practice ways in which students can practice communicating with an audience. This session will look at the importance of student reflection and the process journal.

Target Audience: Teachers
Learning Objectives

  • To share, experience, and discuss how the lyrics to hip hop music can be used as a way for students to analyze text, making links to other disciplines.
  • To share the importance of having students reflect on the text in front of them, to gather evidence to support an argument, and to communicate their beliefs/findings through a variety of mediums
  • To explore how hip hop music and its culture can be used as an interdisciplinary tool regardless of the subject being taught.

Douglas Dworak

Deep Dive: Developing & Strengthening a Comprehensive 9-12 Counseling Program
Session Description

Counseling in secondary schools is most often thought of as beginning as focused on 11th/12th grades and university admissions. This session will outline both the important documents and mechanics of successful university counseling programs as well as argue for robust counseling programs starting from 9th grade to support a holistic view of student success. Participants will be exposed to counseling standards as well as begin creating the essential documents of a strong counseling program.

Target Audience: Administrators, Deans, Counselors, Advisors
Learning Objectives

Participants will:
  • Understand the component parts and importance of a school profile for university admissions offices - either begin to draft or refine existing school profiles
  • Understand the importance of explicit, formal, counseling programing in grades 9-12 that support student success
  • Understand the connection between emotional-social wellbeing and academic success
  • Review and be introduced to standards both for student wellbeing as per the new CIS protocol as well as the standards laid out by the American and international school counseling associations
  • Address misconceptions and participant questions regarding university admissions; specifically in regards to highly selective admissions in the US and financial aid

Carolina Freund

Deep Dive: Cultivating A Culture of Student Leadership & Service
Session Description
This session will focus on a framework for secondary school that gives more opportunities for student leadership, service-based projects, and the use of 21st century skills. Participants will gain insight by seeing examples of students taking leadership roles and initiating service-based projects in order to understand the five stages of service learning and strategies for student engagement.

Target Audience: Teachers, Administrators
Learning Objectives
  • To share a framework within a school setting that can turn required clubs and activities into passionate student initiated and led projects.
  • To provide specific examples of student- led initiatives that fosters leadership and 21st century skills.
  • Understand the framework of the 5 stages for service learning and how it cultivates student leadership and 21st century skills
To share strategies for guiding students into identifying their passions and skills to determine leadership roles that best fit their abilities and interests.

Adzo Ashie & Helen Chatburn-Ojehomon
Deep Dive: Schools as learning communities – Preparing students for the future
Session Description
Schools have a responsibility to train their students to succeed in work and life. With the uncertainty of the future and the tremendous technological advancements, schools have an unprecedented opportunity but remarkable challenge of creating a school culture and environment that will nurture students to be globally competitive but rooted in the local context. According to the Future of Education and Skills- Education 2030 report,” Education needs to aim to do more than prepare young people for the world of work; it needs to equip students with the skills they need to become active, responsible and engaged citizens.” This session would provide an overview of the essential elements required for a school to develop globally competent students and provide a case study of a school’s journey in meeting global best practices in education through the International Baccalaureate.

Target Audience: School Heads, Heads of Departments
Learning Objectives
  • Participants would learn about how and why to create a community of learners in their school setting
  • Participants would learn about key areas to focus on in developing a future- ready school
  • Participants would learn about the benefits to their community of adopting an IB programme through the case study of Ibadan International School.

Leadership Strands
Sean Areias


Deep Dive: Teacher Leadership: Who cares? Why it matters and how we can support it
Session Description

Participants will discuss and share prior knowledge related to teacher leadership. They will generate questions related to teacher leadership. Additionally, participants will engage in some reading/ discussion activities regarding teacher leadership research. Based on readings, prior knowledge, and collegial sharing, participants will draft action plans for increasing teacher leadership in their schools. Finally, participants will have opportunities to give each other feedback on draft action plans.

Target Audience: Heads of Schools, Principals, HoDs
Learning Objectives

Participants will:
  • Be able to define teacher leadership and increase awareness of different types of teacher leadership.
  • Be familiar with some background research on teacher leadership, specifically in international and regional schools.
  • Be knowledgeable about what other participants at other schools do to foster teacher leadership.
  • Develop an action plan for initiating and supporting more teacher leadership at the participant’s school.

Kim Rayl

Deep Dive: Designing Globally Competent Learners for the 21st Century
Session Description

This session will highlight AISL as a case study for how schools can leverage design processes and frameworks to support the development of 21st-century learners. Participants will share their vision of a globally competent learner, and reflect on changes to teaching and assessment practices needed to make that vision a reality at their school. Topics include how curriculum design and assessment practices support 21st-century learning, implementation “lessons learned”, and parent community outreach strategies.

Target Audience: Leaders
Learning Objectives

  • To model a process for involving staff in determining the school-wide 21st-century global competencies that are important to plan, teach and assess to.
  • To share examples of capacity-building in faculty through professional learning and development.
  • To share strategies for parent engagement and outreach.

Anna Pehar

Deep Dive: What is International Accreditation and why it matters
Session Description

School improvement is a journey and not all education institutions start or end at the same place. Accreditation can be an important step in this journey, particularly for schools with international students.
AdvancED welcomes all institutions into the AdvancED Improvement Network (AIN) regardless of where they are in their improvement journey. If you do wish to pursue accreditation, we will show what AdvancED accreditation means.

Target Audience: School Leaders
Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop participants will:
  • know who AdvancED is and what we can offer (international) schools
  • understand the importance of Continuous Improvement in K12 education
  • understand what accreditation with AdvancED means
  • get an introduction to the services and tools AdvancED Improvement Network (AIN) offers to its members