Professional Development

Help Topics

Need an Account

Catalog: MESTRACT (Web Registration)

Search Options

Search Term:

Program:

Start Date *

End Date *

Search Results (1 - 41 of 41)

1. Ed Tech-Cohort One-Stony Brook University's EDT 533: STEAM Education: Curriculum Integration

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Aug 15, 2021)

Stony Brook University Students Only

Closed

In this course participants will learn how to fully integrate STEAM tools and leverage best practices into their curriculum. Participants will develop an extensive integration plan for a specific learning environment and associated curriculum. Participants will align STEAM best practices, pedagogy, 21-century skills and their own research to develop an integration plan that outlines a cohesive STEAM learning experience. The culmination of this course and program will be the delivery of part of this integration plan in their educational environment and presentation of the overall integration plan to peers. This course includes online flexible synchronous meetings.

This course starts on Monday, July 5 and runs through Sunday, August 15th, 2021. Instruction will be provided through Blackboard and includes online flexible synchronous meetings arranged by the instructor.

2. Port Jefferson 2nd EDL Cohort Stony Brook University's EDL 501: Educational Leadership Theory

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Dec 6, 2021)

Online

This graduate course presents a study of the concepts, theories, methods, and findings dealing with how to remain abreast of research in education and acquire the extensive knowledge of learning theories, leadership theories, creative thinking, teaching, assessment, and the principles of effective schools. Materials will be drawn largely from the behavior sciences. These will be applied to the practice of educational administration at all levels and in all settings, taking into account cultural diversity and locale.

This course runs from on Monday, September 20th - Monday, December 6th, 2021

For additional information please contact Kristine at 631-730-5010 or kristine@mestract.org.

3. Balance the Mind & Heart: Creating Resilient Schools that Address the Social, Emotional, Ethical, and Academic Needs of Students-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 15, 2021)

Online

This online course will allow educators the opportunity to:
>create resilient schools that meet the social, emotional, ethical, and academic (SEL) needs of students necessary tools that will enable them to foster compassion
>a workable set of values, the skills of cooperation, appropriate decision-making, goal setting, and high academic expectations in their school setting
>explore the research-based skills and competencies that have a positive impact on the organizational structure of their school and the delivery of instruction
>student performance build bridges by acknowledging past accomplishments
>validating what is presently working well, and designing future SEL goals to bring the existing programs to new levels of development
>develop a toolbox of SEL strategies
>create a SEL Portfolio that serve as a resource tool and guide for implementation >understand the importance that SEL must be an ongoing process and "way of life"that can not be addressed in isolation enable independent inquiry
>learning in cooperation with others
>reflective practice
>enhance professional dialogue and effectively blend different, innovative, and practical strategies for implementation

The content of this course will be delivered through both synchronous face to face meetings via Zoom on Thursday, October 7th at 7:30 pm, Thursday, October 21st at 7:30 pm, Monday, November 1st at 8:15 pm and asynchronous assignments through a Learning Management System.

This course starts on Monday, October 4th and ends on Monday, November 15th, 2021.

District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

4. Language Based Approach to Content Instruction to Teach Ells-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 8, 2021)

Online

As the population of English language learners continues to rise, teachers need to devise lessons to accommodate many diverse needs. LACI, or a Language-Based Approach to Content Instruction, is a framework that has been developed to help classroom teachers in content area instruction and lesson plan creation. This research-based framework focuses on the "6 C's" of language demands in classrooms with English language learners. These six principles are connection, culture, code-breaking, community and collaboration, challenge and classroom interactions. Within each principle comes elements of instructional strategies and activities to help culturally and linguistically diverse learners. While this framework is representative of good overall teaching, it is most specifically geared towards language acquisition for English language learners.

This course begins on Monday, October 4th, 2021 and ends on November 8th, 2021.

Instruction will be delivered both synchronously and asynchronously. Online face to face Zoom meetings will take place at 7pm on October 4th, 18th, 25th, and November 1st and 8th, 2021. Asynchronous coursework will be completed in a Learning Management System.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

5. Part 1-Engaging Students in a Digital Classroom-Beyond the Tools: Strategies for Technology Integration-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Oct 22, 2021)

Online

Student engagement has never been more crucial in our educational setting than it is now. Maintaining high levels of engagement needs to be a priority for teachers as we educate our students in remote, face-to-face, and/or blended learning environments. This course is designed as a three-part series that delves deeper into best practices for synchronous and asynchronous learning. There will be a strong emphasis on supporting teachers with concrete strategies and resources to help create and design online tasks that engage learners in a student-centered environment. By the end of each course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of strategies to engage student learning and have a toolbox of digital resources to utilize in the classroom.

This is the first of three segments, which will be conducted in an asynchronous online setting utilizing a Learning Management System as the delivery platform with synchronous Zoom meetings scheduled by the instructor. Participants meet virtually via online communities to discuss and share lessons and strategies.

Part 1: Beyond the Tools: Strategies for Technology Integration
Module 1: Engaging Students in a Synchronous Classroom
Module 2: Engaging Students in an Asynchronous Classroom
Module 3: Engaging Students through Collaboration

The course starts on Monday, October 4th and ends by Friday, October 22nd, 2021.

Please note: District approval is required for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

6. Signs of Math Madness-Online

Program: Online Courses

Audience: Grades 3-5 educators, including Math AIS, Resource Room, ENL Special Education, and General Education

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 8, 2021)

Online

This 15-hour course will focus on utilizing a variety of instructional strategies that pave the way for all students to be successful in elementary math. Discover ways that support students working with concrete tools, moving on to drawing pictures that represent their work, and connecting to the abstract learning (CPA). Investigate bar modeling strategies using paper and online tools to support visual representation for problem-solving. Delve into strategies that help students navigate productive struggle . Explore ways to develop number sense through meaningful activities. Model math talks that allow mathematical discourse to promote higher level thinking. Engage students with hands-on math tools that support mathematical thinking and computational fluency. Learn of valuable math literature to bring concepts to life. And last but certainly not least, EXPERIENCE THE SIGNS OF MATH MADNESS!

This course starts on Monday, October 4th through Monday, November 8th, 2021. Synchronous course meetings (6 hours) are scheduled for Mondays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm on October 4th, 18th, 25th and November 1st, 2021. Asynchronous assignments (9 hours) will be posted in a Learning Management System to be completed on your own time.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

7. Service Learning at the Elementary Level-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: Elementary teachers, counselors, social workers, service club advisors.

Dates: 10/4/2021 to 11/1/2021

Online

This course will provide educators with tools which may be utilized to enhance character development through service learning. Participants will learn the rationale behind service learning, the positive and negative effects of it, and how they can implement projects with their own students. This course will be delivered through weekly synchronous meetings and asynchronous work online through a Learning Management System.

This course begins on Monday, October 4th and ends by Monday, November 1st, 2021. The dates and times listed for asynchronous work are simply placeholders for the hours needed to complete the assignments.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE hours)

8. Understanding Loss & Grief in Youth-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: Teachers, counselors, social workers, coaches, club advisors, educators

Dates: 10/4/2021 to 10/20/2021

Online

This online class will help educators get a better understanding of children who experience grief through loss; the 5 stages of loss; types of loss; the changes that occur after loss and how as educators/adults we can show understanding, empathy and give support to a child experiencing grief and loss.

This course starts on Monday, October 4th, 2021 and ends by Wednesday, October 18th, 2021.

Instruction will be delivered via synchronous face to face meetings on the dates indicated and asynchronous assignments throughout the course via a Learning Management System.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE hours)

9. Introduction to Animation Webinar

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Oct 5, 2021)

Online

New

Learn the basics of animation and how it can be used in any learning environment to help engage students in fun learning. We will examine different methods of animating using a variety of free and low-cost digital and traditional tools. We will also go through the process ourselves and create a short animation for your class.

This webinar will take place Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 from 5:00-6:00 pm.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (1 CTLE Hour)

10. Supporting At Risk Students Using Community Based Supports-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 2, 2021)

Online

This course is designed for school social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors, but is relevant for any school-based professional interested in learning more about available community based supports in Suffolk County. The course will provide an overview of current mental health and substance use supports accessible to our Suffolk County students, as well as how to access and leverage them for our K-12 students and families. The course will provide participants with an opportunity to share resources amongst one another. There will also be opportunities for anonymous case conferencing in which participants will be able to assist one another in problem solving for students in real-time.

This course starts on Tuesday, October 5th and ends on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021.

This course will be delivered through both synchronous online meetings via Zoom (7.5 hrs) on Tuesdays at 4:30 - 6:00 pm on October 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th and November 2nd. Asynchronous work will be posted on a Learning Management System for independent completion (7.5 hrs).

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

11. Active Literacy & Learning Using Seesaw for pre K-5 Learners-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: pre K-5 Teachers

Dates: 10/5/2021 to 10/28/2021

Online

New

Participants will explore how to use various technology tools to cultivate active literacy and learning in the classroom and in the case of distance learning. Through synchronous video meetings and screen recorded tutorials, teachers will learn how to create and share unit plans and lessons that enable students to reflect on their learning, discover their voice, create and interact with their task, peers & teacher. Participants will experiment with ways in which they can provide meaningful support and feedback in conjunction with these lessons to move students towards active literacy and learning.

The content of this course will be delivered through both synchronous meetings via Zoom and asynchronous assignments in a Learning Management System. The dates and times below for asynchronous work are simply placeholders for the hours of the course.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

12. Digital Creation for ELLs-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 10, 2021)

Online

New

English Language Learners come to our classrooms with unique experiences and talents. Often now, we have laptops, iPads, and other devices to give these students opportunities to express themselves. This course will explore the connection between the support of English language development and digital creation tools. Each week, we will explore a new digital creation tool, and share how it connects with ELLs. We will explore a free suite of products, from Adobe to Google.

Instruction for this course will be delivered online with face to face meetings using Zoom at 7 pm on Wednesdays, October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and November 3rd for about 30 minutes and asynchronous assignments in a Learning Management System.

This course starts on Wednesday, October 6th and ends by Wednesday, November 10th, 2021.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

13. Introduction to Multi-Lingual Learners-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 10, 2021)

Online

New

Everyday, Multilingual Learners enter our schools. How can we best support them? In this course, we will explore components of research-based instruction that can support MLLs. Participants will learn from a curated assortment of activities and strategies. Course time will be allocated to develop materials for their own classrooms.

The content of this course will be delivered through both synchronous live meetings via Zoom at at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and November 3rd, 2021. and asynchronous work in a Learning Management System.

This course starts on Wednesday, October 6th and ends by Wednesday, November 10th, 2021.

District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours in Ell category)

14. Tech Tools for Ells-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 10, 2021)

Online

New

Tech Tools for ELLs provides participants the opportunity to learn how technology can support learning for English Language Learners. Participants will learn how different components of instruction can enhanced through the use of technology. These components are organized in a research-based sequence for teaching ELLs. By the end of the course, participants will be able to use activities and created exemplars in their own classrooms.

The content of this course will be delivered both synchronously via Zoom at 7:30 pm on Wednesdays October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and November 3rd and asynchronously through a Learning Management System.

This course starts on Wednesday, October 6th and ends by Wednesday, November 10th, 2021.

District approval is required for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

15. Anxiety Disorders in the Classroom-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Oct 28, 2021)

Online

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents and how to best support an anxious student in your class. We will read about and discuss the causes, symptoms, and effects of anxiety in young people. We will briefly discuss co-occurring disorders and behaviors as well.

This course will provide opportunities for teachers to discuss classroom practices for general education, 504 and IEP based students.

This course will begin on Thursday, October 7th and end on Thursday, October 28th, 2021.

The content of this course will delivered both synchronously (6 hours) via Zoom on Thursdays, October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th from 4:30 pm-6:00 pm and asynchronously through independent study assignments (9 hours) in a Learning Management System.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

16. STEAM Power: Infusing Art Into Your STEM Curriculum Workshop-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Oct 14, 2021)

Online

New

This online workshop will share fun, creative, project-based STEAM projects featured in the new book STEAM Power from ISTE that teach the fundamentals and are cost effective. Educators that attend this presentation will leave knowing the essentials of STEAM and learning lessons using various technologies.

We will begin by outlining the most important elements of STEAM then review engaging projects which are adaptable to any grade level that incorporate the STEAM principles. We will then look at ways to take those lessons to the next-level by adding elements such as collaboration, community and global learning for more intermediate or advanced STEAM learning.

This workshop will meet synchronously via Zoom for 1 1/2 hours from 5:00 - 6:30 pm on Thursdays, October 7th and 14th, 2021.

Participants will be provided with an electronic copy of the instructor's book titled "STEAM Power: Infusing Art Into Your STEM Curriculum."

Please note: District approval is required for in-service credit. (3 CTLE Hours)

17. Taking Animation to the Next Level Webinar

Program: MESTRACT

Dates: 10/12/2021

Online

New

Learn various beginner and intermediate animation techniques from traditional stop motion to emerging forms of 3D digital animation and how they can enhance learning. We will explore different methods of animating using both digital and traditional tools and highlight the strengths of each method in teaching. We will also go through the process ourselves and create short animations which you can use in your classroom.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (1 CTLE Hour)

18. Unlocking the Power of Classroom Talk: Teaching Kids to Talk with Clarity and Purpose-Book Study-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: Educators

Dates: 10/12/2021 to 11/16/2021

Online

New

Prior to the first meeting, participants should obtain, and read, the book, "Unlocking the Power of Classroom Talk: Teaching Kids to Talk with Clarity and Purpose" written by Shana Frazon and Katy Wischow. Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

During this book study, participants will discuss the purpose of talk, the strategies, and how the strategies can be implemented in classrooms. This book study will challenge you to examine your existing lessons and incorporate talk strategies. During the second book study group meeting, participants will continue the discussion of talking with a purpose, and share out their lessons that include the talk strategies.

This course begins on Tuesday, October 12th and ends on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021. This course will be delivered via synchronous meetings through Zoom and asynchronous assignments in a Learning Management System. The dates listed below for asynchronous work are simply placeholders for the hours of the course. Online Zoom meetings will take place weekly from 7-8 pm as indicated below.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

19. Infusing Social Emotional Learning Across the Disciplines-Online

Program: Online Courses

Audience: Educators

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 17, 2021)

Online

New

Participants in this course will explore key aspects of the works of Abraham Maslow, Lawrence Kohlberg, Stephen Covey, John C. Maxwell, and the Center for Nonviolent Communication to serve as the basis for a framework for infusing social-emotional learning into learning experiences.

We will interact with key passages from a variety of fictional and non-fiction texts in order to apply the framework to engage their diverse student population in rigorous conversations around character and social-emotional diversity. We will articulate and frame a positive and inclusive climate while honoring the diverse learning characteristics of their students to help address the answer to the essential question, "How do you and I see me?"

The content of this course will be delivered through asynchronous assignments in a Learning Management System and synchronous meetings via Zoom on at 5-6 pm on Wednesday's October 13th, 20th, and 27th, November 10th & 17th, 2021.

This course starts on Wednesday, October 13th and ends on November 17th, 2021.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

20. Master Kami in the Connected Class-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: K-12

Dates: 10/18/2021 to 11/3/2021

Online

Think differently about how Kami can make your classroom more connected and interactive. This course will go beyond the basics and dig deep into this flexible tool by exploring how it can be used for real-time collaboration, fostering communication, encouraging critical thinking, student engagement, and invoking creativity. We will investigate how this tool can be used to implement the new NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency standards into your curriculum. You will create multiple lessons using Kami in a variety of ways. Kami can be used in grades K-12 and across all subjects and curriculum.

The course will run online with two synchronous Zoom sessions: one to familiarize participants with course format and guidelines scheduled for Monday, October 18th at 4 pm and another session as a "check in" which will be scheduled with the instructor. This course will run for three weeks starting on Monday, October 18th and ending on Friday, November 5th, 2021. Online assignments will be completed asynchronously throughout the course.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE hours)

21. Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom: Digital Tools and Resources to Support Diversity-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: pre K-12 Educators

Dates: 10/20/2021 to 11/17/2021

Online

Students bring rich and diverse backgrounds to the classroom! For educators, there is a responsibility to be mindful of bias in the classroom. A classroom with access to technology has the potential to broaden students' worldviews and inspire future change agents. But in this time of open access, it is extremely important that our classrooms reflect equity and respect diversity. This course will help participants to create lessons that are inclusive for all learners. We will bring a critical lens to our own teaching practice and make the necessary instructional shifts towards anti-bias practices. The art of designing and delivering instruction is very exciting, but one must always keep the students in their class at the heart of their design.

This course will be conducted in both synchronous meetings via Zoom and asynchronous work via a Learning Management System. Participants meet virtually via online communities, sharing ideas and feedback to enlighten and promote professional growth.

This course runs for four weeks starting on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 through Wednesday, November 17th, 2021. District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

22. STEAM Power: Infusing Art Into Your STEM Curriculum-Online eBook Study

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Dec 16, 2021)

Online

New

This in-depth online book study will explore fun, creative, project-based STEAM projects and concepts featured in the new book STEAM Power from ISTE along with the author, educator Tim Needles. A range of emerging and class technologies that teach the fundamentals and are cost effective will be covered. Educators that attend this presentation will leave knowing the 18 great STEAM projects that are elastic and appropriate for any classroom.

We will cover the book's 3 parts beginning with incorporating the STEAM principles, engaging with STEAM projects, and elevating the learning to the next-level by adding elements such as collaboration, community and global learning. Participants will receive a free electronic version of the book.

The content of this course will be delivered through synchronous meetings with the author, Timothy Needles, from 5:00-7:10pm on Thursdays October 21st, 28th, November 4th, 18th, December 2nd, 9th, and from 5:00-7:00pm on December 16th, 2021.

District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

23. Resources for Enhancing School Climate: Empathy, Compassion, Upstander Responsibility and Responsible and Ethical Decision Making-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Dec 6, 2021)

Online

The research-based strategies and skills utilized in this course will enable educators and parents to help students build effective relationships, and work through life's challenges in constructive and ethical ways. Through these efforts they will be able to will enhance school climate, make a difference in the lives of their students, change the fabric of their classroom communities and impact systemic change in their districts.

The course will enable participants:

• to internalize and role-model the behaviors and attitudes they expect of their students

• educate, involve and gain the support of all constituencies

• in creating a school culture that focuses on developing emotionally intelligent student leaders

Participants will be provided with the opportunity for independent inquiry, learning in cooperation with others, and reflective practice. By participating in these activities, participants will enhance professional dialogue and effectively blend different, innovative, and practical strategies for implementation. As a result, participants will design a toolbox of research-based strategies that will serve as resources for integration into the fabric of their school community.

Please note: Instruction will be delivered synchronously via face-to-face online meetings via Zoom at 8:15 pm on November 2nd, 15th, and 29th and asynchronously with online assignments through a Learning Management System.

This course starts on Monday, October 25th and ends on Monday, December 6th, 2021.

District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

24. Augmented Reality Basics Webinar

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Oct 26, 2021)

Online

New

Learn the basics of the emerging field of augmented reality and how you can engage students with AR in your teaching. We will look at a variety of free and low-cost tools and explore how they can be used on every level in a range of different disciplines. We will also create some augmented reality work ourselves and discuss creative projects that can use AR in learning.

This webinar will take place Tuesday, October 26th from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (1 CTLE Hour)

25. "Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners"-Online Book Study

Program: Online Courses

Audience: K-12 Teachers, teacher assistants, and other educators

Dates: On-Going (Ends Dec 6, 2021)

Online

"Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners” is NOT just for English as a New Language (ENL) Teachers. It is a guide for ALL teachers who have students from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds in their classrooms. In their innovative book, Sydney Snyder and Diane Staehr Fenner share research-based tools, case studies, videos, and sketches to promote the success of Multilingual Learners in and out of the classroom.

In this 7-week course, participants will keep a reflection journal where they will reflect on each chapter. Participants will collaborate asynchronously through discussion questions on a Learning Management System and participate in synchronous face to face meetings via Zoom at 4:30 pm on Mondays, November 1st and December 6th, 2021. Additional Zoom meetings will be scheduled by the instructor for class discussions throughout the course. Finally, participants will create a lesson plan focusing on the five principles of culturally responsive teaching.

This course starts on Monday, November 1st and ends on Monday, December 6th, 2021.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (45 CTLE Hours)

26. Part 2-Engaging Students with Real-World Connections-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 19, 2021)

Online

Student engagement has never been more crucial in our educational setting than it is now. Maintaining high levels of engagement needs to be a priority for teachers as we educate our students in remote, face-to-face, and/or blended learning environments. This course is designed as a three-part series that delves deeper into best practices for synchronous and asynchronous learning. There will be a strong emphasis on supporting teachers with concrete strategies and resources to help create and design online tasks that engage learners in a student-centered environment. By the end of each course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of strategies to engage student learning and have a toolbox of digital resources to utilize in the classroom.

This second course of three segments will be conducted in an asynchronous online setting utilizing a Learning Management System as the delivery platform with a synchronous Zoom meetings scheduled by the instructor. Participants meet virtually via online communities to discuss and share lessons and strategies.

Part 2: Engaging Students with Real-World Connections
Module 1: Virtual Fields Trips Across Curriculums
Module 2: Take Them There (Geo tools)
Module 3: Bringing in Culture

The course starts on Monday, November 1st and ends on Friday, November 19th, 2021.

Please note: District approval is required for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

27. Starving Obsession-Looking Behind the Mask of Youth & Eating Disorders-Online

Program: Online Courses

Audience: Educators

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 22, 2021)

Online

Participants will examine the origins of eating disorders, societal pressures and the role of family in contributing to this growing disease. This course will also show how eating disorders lead to other "impulsive" behaviors that one might see daily in the classroom or around the school environment. The content of this course will be delivered via synchronous Zoom meetings and asynchronous work online in a Learning Management System.

This class begins on Monday, November 1st and ends on Monday, November 22nd, 2021. Zoom meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm on Mondays November 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

28. Microsoft Makecode for Microbit-Webinar

Program: Online Courses

Audience: Teachers

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 9, 2021)

Online

New

In this webinar, you will learn about coding and computer science by way of making and design, using the revolutionary new micro:bit microcontroller board, and Microsoft's easy and powerful MakeCode block-based coding environment. You will learn how this tool can be used to implement a project-based curriculum with a maker philosophy at its core; the idea is that by making physical objects, students create a context for learning the coding and computer science concepts.

This webinar will be held on Tuesday, November 9th from 5:00-6:00 pm.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (1 CTLE Hour)

29. Coding Basics Webinar-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Nov 16, 2021)

Online

New

Learn the basics of using code with free learning tools that can be used on any level. Coding has become an essential skill in the digital age so we will explore the fundamentals which will help prepare students for the future as well as various approaches to teaching code in different disciplines. We will also create a short coding project that can be used in any scenario to creativity engage students

This webinar will take place from 5:00-6:00 pm on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (1 CTLE Hour)

30. Computational Thinking & Design Webinar-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: Educators

Dates: 11/23/2021

Online

New

Explore the increasingly popular thinking processes of computational thinking and design thinking which can benefit students and be incorporated into your work in the classroom. In our digital world, computational thinking has become a foundational element for computer science as the systematic approach aids in problem solving. Design thinking is a terrific approach for making as it starts with empathy and observation. These processes are both valuable in different ways and serve as a great comparison and contrast as they offer different perspectives. This workshop will introduce the ideas and explore their strengths and uses in education as well as sharing resources for both to aid in bringing them into the classroom. This webinar will be on Tuesday, November 23rd from 5:00-6:00 pm.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (1 CTLE Hour)

31. Part 3-Engaging Students through Relationship Building-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Dec 17, 2021)

Online

Student engagement has never been more crucial in our educational setting than it is now. Maintaining high levels of engagement needs to be a priority for teachers as we educate our students in remote, face-to-face, and/or blended learning environments. This course is designed as a three-part series that delves deeper into best practices for synchronous and asynchronous learning. There will be a strong emphasis on supporting teachers with concrete strategies and resources to help create and design online tasks that engage learners in a student-centered environment. By the end of each course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of strategies to engage student learning and have a toolbox of digital resources to utilize in the classroom.

This the third of three segments which will be conducted in an asynchronous online setting utilizing a Learning Management System as the delivery platform with synchronous Zoom meetings scheduled by the instructor throughout the course. Participants meet virtually via online communities to discuss and share lessons and strategies.

Part 3: Engaging Students through Relationship-Building
Module 1: Building Relationships
Module 2: Communication Online and Offline
Module 3: The Power of Feedback

The course starts on Monday, November 29th and ends on Friday, December 17th, 2021.

Please note: District approval is required for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

32. The Perfect Blend: A Practical Guide to Designing Student-Centered Learning Experiences Book Study-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: K-12

Dates: 11/29/2021 to 1/19/2022

Online

Learn how to redesign lessons with technology to individualize and personalize instruction, transforming what learning looks like for your students. The Perfect Blend, you'll learn how to create a "homemade recipe” for effective blended learning for your students.

This book:
-Provides an accessible resource for teachers beginning to use technology, as well as master blended teachers who are looking for new ideas or strategies.
-Includes templates and planning tools that can be used as is or modified to fit the needs of your students.
-Focuses on understanding and reflecting on your role as a designer of learning experiences, and creating and using digital content in the classroom.

You'll gain practical skills, strategies and lesson ideas for various types of blended learning thanks to examples from real classrooms and educators. Along the way, you'll discover how to build on the skills you already have to support blended learning. Each week you will read required chapters, participate in discussions, and complete challenges that can be applied to your classroom.

This course will meet for one initial virtual meeting via Zoom on Monday, November 29th at 4 pm to familiarize the participants with course format and guidelines with subsequent meetings dates/times TBD as needed for class discussion.

This course runs from Monday, November 29th until Friday, January 21st, 2022.

Please Note: The asynchronous work dates are only placeholders for the hours of the course. District approval is needed for in-service credit. (45 CTLE Hours)

33. The Power of Student Agency: Engaging Students through Voice and Choice-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: pre K-12 Educators

Dates: 12/7/2021 to 1/25/2022

Online

This course is designed to help educators create an environment where students can be creative and self-directed learners. If we want students to thrive we need to empower them with the tools to become architects of their own learning. This course aims to walk teachers through the process of designing student-centered inquiry lessons to create learning experiences that leverage student curiosity, encourages exploration, and allows the members of a learning community to learn with and from each other. There will be a strong emphasis on building student agency through choice and voice. Participants will explore the various purposes of utilizing choice, such as encouraging retrieval practice and providing students agency in terms of how they demonstrate their learning. Each module includes resources, templates, and action items designed to encourage teachers to take what they are learning and create resources and lessons they can use with students immediately.

This course runs from Tuesday, December 7, 2021 through Tuesday, February 1, 2022 (8 weeks). Zoom Sessions are scheduled for 4:30 pm on December 7th and January 4th. Participants will also have asynchronous assignments online via a Learning Management System. They will meet virtually via online communities to discuss and share lessons and strategies.

Please note: The dates listed for asynchronous work are only placeholders for the hours of the course. District approval is needed for in-service credit. (45 CTLE Hours)

34. Using Video Instruction to Enhance Teaching and Learning-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: Educators

Dates: 1/12/2022 to 2/2/2022

Online

In this workshop, educators will be introduced to a variety of tools, apps and programs that will enable them to create, edit and use video to enhance teaching, assess student learning, and assign student projects. Each session will focus on a different tool and purpose for using video. Topics will include video creation and editing, screencasting, green screen technology, blended learning and assigning student projects. Some tools that will be introduced include screencastify, Edpuzzle, WeVideo, and Flipgrid. Educators will have the opportunity to create their own video projects to use in their own classrooms.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (6 CTLE Hours)

35. Master Nearpod in the Interactive Classroom-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: pre K-12 Teachers

Dates: 1/31/2022 to 2/14/2022

Online

Think differently about how Nearpod makes your classroom more connected and interactive. This course will go beyond the basics and dig deep into this flexible tool by exploring how it can be used for synchronous and asynchronous learning, collaboration, encouraging critical thinking, student engagement, and real-time formative assessment. We will investigate how this tool can be used to implement the new NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency standards into your curriculum. You will create multiple lessons using Nearpod in a variety of ways. Nearpod can be used in grades K-12 and across all subjects and curriculum.

The content of this course will be delivered both synchronously via Zoom meetings and asynchronously with online assignments in a Learning Management System. Additional Zoom meetings will be scheduled by the instructor for class discussions. The dates and times below for the asynchronous assignments are simply placeholders for the hours of the course.

This course starts on Monday, January 31st and ends by Friday, February 18th, 2022.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

36. Adjusting your mindset: Be passionate, be patient, and persevere

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Apr 13, 2022)

Online

Participants will be provided with the opportunity for independent inquiry, learning in cooperation with others, and reflective practice. Participants will design a toolbox of research-based strategies and competencies that will utilize virtues as a springboard for program design. Additionally, these activities will enhance professional dialogue and effectively blend different, innovative, and practical strategies for program implementation.

Participants will have the tools they need to help their students:
* develop a mindset using integrity and ethics as a framework for social, emotional and academic growth
* navigate through life's challenges in a positive and constructive manner by cultivating a passionate mindset that utilizes zest and optimism
* understand the importance and inter-relatedness of passion, patience, persistence and perseverance in developing a growth mind-set
* contribute to creating a resilient and compassionate school community"

Please note: The content of this course will be delivered both synchronously through optional face to face online meetings via Zoom and asynchronously through a Learning Management System.

This course starts on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 through Wednesday, April 13th, 2022.

This course will provide 15 CTLE Hours upon completion. District approval is needed for in-service credit.

37. Teaching and Learning with Apple Pencils and iPads-Online

Program: Online Courses

Audience: pre K-12 Teachers

Dates: On-Going (Ends Mar 31, 2022)

Online

MESTRACT Members Only

New

Teachers will learn how to use an iPad and Apple Pencil to create amazing hands-on, innovative, student lead classroom experiences. Using web 2.0 tools and apps designed for classrooms, teachers will learn how to create more interactive lessons involving things like easily taking pictures of student work to review or critique as a class and letting students pass around the iPad to write their answers, explain, and teach the class.

Only teachers from MESTRACT member schools may attend this course. Each teacher will be provided with an iPad and Apple Pencil to use during and after the course. Please arrange to pickup the iPad and Apple Pencil from the MESTRACT office prior to the start of the course.

This course starts on Thursday, March 3rd and ends Thursday, March 31st, 2022.

Instruction will be provided online through both asynchronous assignments in a Learning Management System and synchronous meetings in Zoom on the following dates and times:
Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 5-6pm
Thursday, March 10th 5-6pm
Thursday, March 17th 5-6pm
Thursday, March 24th 5-6pm
Thursday, March 31st 5-6pm

Please note: District approval is required for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

38. Language Based Approach to Content Instruction to Teach Ells-Online

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends Apr 11, 2022)

Online

As the population of English language learners continues to rise, teachers need to devise lessons to accommodate many diverse needs. LACI, or a Language-Based Approach to Content Instruction, is a framework that has been developed to help classroom teachers in content area instruction and lesson plan creation. This research-based framework focuses on the "6 C's" of language demands in classrooms with English language learners. These six principles are connection, culture, code-breaking, community and collaboration, challenge and classroom interactions. Within each principle comes elements of instructional strategies and activities to help culturally and linguistically diverse learners. While this framework is representative of good overall teaching, it is most specifically geared towards language acquisition for English language learners.

This course begins on Monday, March 14th and ends on April 11th, 2022.

Please note: Instruction will be delivered both synchronously and asynchronously. Online face to face Zoom meetings will take place at 7pm on Mondays, March 14th, 21st, 28th, April 4th and 11th, 2022. Asynchronous coursework will be completed in a Learning Management System.

District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

39. Master Flipgrid in the Interactive Classroom-Online

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: pre K-12 Teachers

Dates: 3/21/2022 to 4/6/2022

Online

Think differently about how Flipgrid can make your classroom more connected and interactive. This course will go beyond the basics and dig deep into this flexible tool by exploring how it can be used for asynchronous learning, collaboration, encouraging critical thinking, student engagement, and assessment. You will create multiple lessons using Flipgrid in a variety of ways. We will investigate how this tool can be used to implement the new NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency standards into your curriculum. Flipgrid can be used in grades K-12 and across all subjects and curriculum.

This course starts on March 21, 2022 and ends on Friday, April 8th, 2022.

The content of this course will be delivered both synchronously via Zoom meetings scheduled by the instructor and asynchronously through online assignments posted in a Learning Management System.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

40. Resources for Enhancing School Climate: Empathy, Compassion, Upstander Responsibility and Responsible and Ethical Decision Making

Program: Online Courses

Dates: On-Going (Ends May 11, 2022)

Online

The research-based strategies and skills utilized in this course will enable educators and parents to help students build effective relationships, and work through life's challenges in constructive and ethical ways. Through these efforts they will be able to will enhance school climate, make a difference in the lives of their students, change the fabric of their classroom communities and impact systemic change in their districts.

The course will enable participants:

• to internalize and role-model the behaviors and attitudes they expect of their students

• educate, involve and gain the support of all constituencies

• in creating a school culture that focuses on developing emotionally intelligent student leaders

Participants will be provided with the opportunity for independent inquiry, learning in cooperation with others, and reflective practice. By participating in these activities, participants will enhance professional dialogue and effectively blend different, innovative, and practical strategies for implementation. As a result, participants will design a toolbox of research-based strategies that will serve as resources for integration into the fabric of their school community.

Please note: Instruction will be delivered synchronously via face-to-face online meetings via Zoom and asynchronously through a Learning Management System.

This course starts on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022 through Wednesday, May 11th, 2022.

This course will provide 15 CTLE hours upon completion. District approval is needed for in-service credit.

41. Metacognitive Skill Building: Digital Tools and Strategies to Help Students Think About Their Learning

Program: MESTRACT

Audience: K-12 Educators

Dates: 4/26/2022 to 5/9/2022

Online

When students are comfortable thinking about their learning and engaging their metacognitive muscles, they will better appreciate the value of the work they are doing. This course is designed to help teachers create digital learning experiences that develop students' metacognitive and self-regulation skills. Encouraging students to "own” the conversation about their progress will provide opportunities to keep families in the loop and to ensure everyone is working together to support the learner. In this course, participants will explore strategies necessary to help students think about their learning, set goals, track their progress, communicate with their families, and reflect on their learning. These critical skills developed over time will foster student ownership and improve student achievement. A strong emphasis will be placed on infusing digital tools to help students build agency over their learning.

Each module includes resources, templates, and action items designed to encourage teachers to take what they are learning and create resources and lessons they can use with students immediately. This course will be delivered through both synchronous meetings via Zoom arranged by the instructor and asynchronous work completed in a Learning Management System.

This course starts on Tuesday, April 26, and ends on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. The asynchronous work dates listed below are simply placeholders for the hours of the course.

Please note: District approval is needed for in-service credit. (15 CTLE Hours)

Viewing 41 of 41 total results