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Professional Learning | Empower Teachers

Professional Learning

Empower Teachers

We believe in empowering teachers to create high quality, engaging instructional environments when they have access to the necessary skills, tools and rich sources of information. We provide educators with free instructor-led courses and events with the opportunity to earn free SCECHs.

Clicking on any calendar event will reroute you to our registration website - Wisdomwhere.  You will need to create an account or login to your account to reserve your spot.

Upcoming Events

  • 10 Apr
    • Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan Cohort 3: April 10 - May 21, 2023
      Registration ends Apr 7
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:01 AM
      Location: Virtual
      Calendar: WW Calendar

      In this learning opportunity, we will utilize Modern Classrooms Project’s free course to pause, reset and create a local support structure as you work to design your own elements of a blended, self-paced, and mastery-based classroom. The Modern Classrooms Project is a nonprofit that has developed an instructional framework grounded in blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning that leverages technology to foster human connection, authentic learning, and social-emotional growth.

       In this 6 week largely asynchronous, self-paced course, we’ll work to design learning for your students that makes it easier to meet the needs of all your students (even when they’re absent), allows you to have a clearer picture of student learning, and includes a blended learning framework to allow you to work with smaller groups of students while the learning continues in your classroom.

      This Virtual course will be offered: 

      Cohort 1 - October 31, 2022 - December 11, 2022

      Cohort 2 - January 9, 2023 - February 19, 2023

      Cohort 3 - April 10, 2023 - May 21, 2023

      Cohort 4 - July 10, 2023 - August 27, 2023

    • Creating a Digital Makerspace for your Classroom
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Creating a Digital Makerspace for your Classroom
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Just because you might not have a physical Makerspace in your school, that doesn't mean the learning, creating, and innovating is limited.  You will learn about why digital making is important, how to structure engaging and creative work for students, how students can develop critical 21st-century skills - and discover a myriad of resources that can be used.
    • Engaging Students in a Personalized Classroom
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Engaging Students in a Personalized Classroom
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      This class focuses on personalizing content delivery to support student achievement by giving students control over their own learning environment. Participants will learn about student voice and choice, using tools that customize student’s strengths and needs. The course offers fun and engaging interactive resources for educators to use with their students. Classroom structure and flexible seating options are also shared, these strategies impact student behavior and learning outcomes. 
    • Enhancing Instruction for All Learners
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Enhancing Instruction for All Learners
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Address diverse student learning needs with technology integration. Identify basic principles of universal design, differentiated instruction and best practice teaching strategies to enhance existing or new lessons or classroom activities. Apply these strategies using technology integration to improve learning. Learn to find and use interactive learning activities to address a variety of learning styles. Address learning barriers and support learners using technology tools.
    • Exploring Formative Assessment Tools
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Exploring Formative Assessment Tools
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Explore how formative assessment methodologies help teachers adapt to the changing needs of learners. Learn how online tools and simple tasks can uncover misconceptions, provide mastery of content, and support the learning process. Investigate research-based approaches to improve instruction and guide students to success. A variety of free, online formative assessment tools will be utilized during this course.
    • Game-based Learning to Build Student Understanding & Engagement
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Game-based Learning to Build Student Understanding & Engagement
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Games have been used as a learning tool for centuries. Chess was used to teach strategic thinking as far back as the Middle Ages. The genesis of Kindergarten in the mid-1800s was Friedrich Fröbel’s ideas of learning through play. Game-Based Learning (GBL) can help students learn content by reviewing content and practicing assessments. Explore the power of GBL beyond content reviews and board game creations. Design powerful GBL experiences to increase student engagement and understanding.
    • Making the Most of Your Google Classroom
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Making the Most of Your Google Classroom
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Google Classroom is an easy way to organize and distribute your classroom assignments. You can share documents through Classroom, and create safe, two-way conversations between you and your students. Learn all the ins and outs of Google Classroom including how to add and grade assignments, post daily warm ups, add parents and guardians, and much more. Plus, we’ll show you the many ways you can integrate multiple applications into Google Classroom. (e.g., Geogebra, Discovery, Flipgrid, edPuzzle, etc.)
    • Power Up: Digital Leaders
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Power Up: Digital Leaders
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Learn about resources and practice with job-embedded exercises to extend your and your students’ digital citizenship.  Explore how you can extend this impact beyond the classroom by moving beyond digital citizenship to a digital leader in your school and community, and encourage your students to do so as well. 
    • Preparing Professional Presentations
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Preparing Professional Presentations
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Learn to plan and deliver effective presentations targeted to adults. Use research-based practices for connecting with adult learners. Integrate various forms of presentation technology such as Padlet, Prezi, Google Slides, and more to maximize engagement. Use guidelines to create reliable session descriptions for marketing materials. Devise a simple process to secure feedback from session participants.
    • Student Engagement through OER Creation
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Student Engagement through OER Creation
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Explore OER resources and how students can access, create, and publish their learning products to demonstrate their learning. Providing students the space and opportunities to utilize some or all of these steps takes their learning to a deeper level as it teaches them about audience purpose and digital citizenship rights of licensing materials.
    • Using Virtual Reality in Education
      Registration ends April 6
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Using Virtual Reality in Education
      Registration ends Apr 6
      Date: Apr 10
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Virtual Reality (VR) brings learning to life! Using VR, students can explore natural habitats, experience a beating human heart, or visit other planets. Explore the what, why, and how of integrating VR into classroom instruction. Discover how VR is changing classrooms and engaging students. Learn how virtual reality can unlock potential, personalize learning, and allow students to become content producers rather than just content consumers. Create a VR experience to support teaching or professional development.
  • 2 May
    • Promoting STEM Through Literature
      Registration ends April 7
      4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
      Promoting STEM Through Literature
      Registration ends Apr 7
      Date: May 2
      Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
      Location: Virtual
      Calendar: WW Calendar

      Use literature to get your students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by actively involving them in the design thinking process. Participants in this virtual  event learn to use these resources with students in a virtual environment and how to implement Design Thinking in virtual maker education

       Each of the titles selected for the project shares a story where something was built or invented by designing, planning, gathering materials, and creating. In addition to strengthening literacy skills, your students will develop inquiry and problem-solving skills. They will also see that with perseverance, anyone can be innovative and invent new things. The project is available for free at stemandlit.com.

      The same session is being offered on three different dates and times.  Pick the one that works best for you.

      A box of materials (including a free book that is part of our project) will be shipped to each participant before the event.  

  • 8 May
    • Assessment Tools for the Classroom
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Assessment Tools for the Classroom
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Formative Assessment is an essential part of the learning process leading to student success. Using Formative Assessment, teachers involve students in ongoing self-assessment so they are aware of expectations, gauge where they are in their learning, and then adjust to close the gap between them. Learn about digital tools to support this process. Explore and use quiz and polling tools, interactive and video assessments, portfolios, interactive lessons, and online bulletin boards. Leave with new tools to engage and assist your students in taking responsibility for their learning and achievement.
    • Designing Learning Opportunities with Google Tools
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Designing Learning Opportunities with Google Tools
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Create learning activities to promote critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, agency and voice. Use frameworks such as the SAMR model and Depth of Knowledge (DOK) as a guide for successful technology integration. Utilize Google Classroom, Meet, Slides and Forms to design engaging learning experiences for students of all ages.
    • Empower Student Agency While Building Global Professional Skills
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Empower Student Agency While Building Global Professional Skills
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Explore how to build a set of structures and guides that empower student agency so students can best take ownership of their learning.  Learn how to have students lead their learning using skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and initiative.  These same skills are identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as preferred skills for incoming college students and employees. 
    • Empowering Students Through Personalized Learning
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Empowering Students Through Personalized Learning
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Students become active learners when they connect goals, and pursue their talents to address authentic challenges. This process influences how we invite students to access content, process and engage with content, and demonstrate mastery. Learn to apply personalized learning approaches that empower students to exercise their voice and make meaningful learning choices
    • Integrating Technology into the Middle School Classroom
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Integrating Technology into the Middle School Classroom
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Dive into skills grade 5-9 students should master through technology integration using MITECS and ISTE Standards for Students. Participants will access and explore 100’s of free, technology and standards aligned activities. Resources include lesson guides for teachers, and Quests, Breakouts and Quiz activities for areas such as Social Networking, Digital Footprint, Cyber Safety, Computational and Design Thinking from 21things4students.
    • Media Literacy: Fake or Real?
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Media Literacy: Fake or Real?
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Which media sites are reporting the truth? How to discern the difference between real and “fake” or false information? More importantly, can students differentiate between real and fake news? Most children have a difficult time discerning between what is real or fake, how to differentiate between an advertisement and a news article, and identifying where they got their news. We need to stop the cycle of passing forward news and information that has not been substantiated. This course will help educators and their students become smarter consumers and producers of information.
    • OER to Support Michigan’s Literacy Essentials
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      OER to Support Michigan’s Literacy Essentials
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      The Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy (aka Literacy Essentials) aim to improve children’s literacy in Michigan. Open Educational Resources (OER) are free, openly licensed, high-quality collaborative tools that allow users to retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute them for educational purposes. Combining these powerful practices provides educators with the resources needed to enhance literacy skills for school-aged youth. Participants will explore various OER and build a plan to support one or more of the Literacy Essentials in their classroom or school context. 
    • PBL for Growing Student Voice
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      PBL for Growing Student Voice
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Project Based Learning (PBL) is an excellent strategy for helping students take ownership of their learning through authentic learning experiences. Explore the core building blocks for effective PBL. Design a PBL unit to implement for all learners.
    • Power Up: Learning Environment
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Power Up: Learning Environment
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Learn to be intentional with how you establish your learning space to facilitate the day-to-day interactions with and among your students. Start with designing the space itself, move on to building classroom culture, and then mold that culture into a community. Create a learning environment that meets the needs of today’s learners in ways that fully traditional classrooms may not.
    • Using SeeSaw to Inspire Learning
      Registration ends May 4
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Using SeeSaw to Inspire Learning
      Registration ends May 4
      Date: May 8
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      SeeSaw creates a powerful learning loop between students, teachers, and families and can support remote learning, too. Students use built-in annotation tools (like draw+record, collage, video, and more) to capture what they know in the way that works best for them within Seesaw’s digital portfolio. Teachers gain insights and understand student thinking and progress — enabling them to teach better. Families connect by gaining a window into their student’s learning and engage with school happenings.
  • 9 May
    • May 9 Mastermind Meeting Series
      Registration ends May 5
      4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      May 9 Mastermind Meeting Series
      Registration ends May 5
      Date: May 9
      Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Virtual
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Online meet-ups for troubleshooting and brainstorming with like minded edu-podcasters across the state of Michigan. Each meeting will be facilitated with topics for discussion originating from a weekly survey and in-meeting conversations.
  • 15 May
    • Discovery Interactive Event
      Registration ends June 17
      12:00 AM to 12:01 AM
      Discovery Interactive Event
      Registration ends Jun 17
      Date: May 15
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:01 AM
      Location: Online
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      The at-your-own-pace course is asynchronous and delivered via Google Classroom by Discovery Education personnel. No Zoom calls to make or deadlines to meet. Simply sign up for the course, complete the activities at your own pace, participate in the discussions and submit a few simple assignments. Earn up to 5 SCECH, one for each assignment completed. It is that easy! By completing each section you will learn about Discovery Education resources, instructional strategies, student access, ready to use lesson activities and more!


      SPECIAL NOTES: This course will be hosted in a Google Classroom by Discovery Education specialists.  
      You will need to use a personal Google account to join the course due to safety restrictions placed on school Google domains. 
      You will need a Discovery Streaming or Discovery Experience account for use during the course.  Contact your school DE administrator if you do not know your account. Contact the course instructor if you are unsure if your district has Discovery Streaming.

      All activities completed by the end of the day June 21, 2023 will be considered for SCECH credit.

      New registrants will be sent course information on the Friday after they register.

         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
  • 16 May
    • May 16 Mastermind Meeting Series
      Registration ends May 12
      4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      May 16 Mastermind Meeting Series
      Registration ends May 12
      Date: May 16
      Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Virtual
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Online meet-ups for troubleshooting and brainstorming with like minded edu-podcasters across the state of Michigan. Each meeting will be facilitated with topics for discussion originating from a weekly survey and in-meeting conversations.
  • 23 May
    • May 23 Mastermind Meeting Series
      Registration ends May 19
      4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      May 23 Mastermind Meeting Series
      Registration ends May 19
      Date: May 23
      Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Virtual
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Online meet-ups for troubleshooting and brainstorming with like minded edu-podcasters across the state of Michigan. Each meeting will be facilitated with topics for discussion originating from a weekly survey and in-meeting conversations.
  • 5 Jun
    • Coding in the Classroom
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Coding in the Classroom
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Coding is becoming an essential classroom skill. It inspires critical thinking, engages students' problem-solving skills and promotes creativity. By combining coding and technology to tell stories and create, STEM becomes STEAM! Teachers and students can learn to code using several introductory coding programs designed for K-12 students. We will introduce several free coding platforms, hardware, plus teaching strategies and lessons so that participants will be comfortable coding by the course conclusion.
    • Design Thinking Made Practical
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Design Thinking Made Practical
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar

      Design Thinking is a practical methodology that provides innovative approaches to critical thinking and in-depth inquiry using STEM, STEAM, Inquiry-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, and other structures. The program emphasizes standards-based authenticity and using the student's voice. Design Thinking is a highly optimistic mindset that brings a human element of support to students, teachers, and administrators in the variety of challenges that face them. Gain an understanding of Design Thinking and the Design Process used to create and evolve ideas. Craft learning experiences based on design thinking.

       Outcomes:

      • Explore what is Design Thinking and what it looks like.

      • Understand how to connect Design Thinking to other innovative approaches to learning.

      • Explore how the Design Process puts Design Thinking into Action.

      • Create a learning experience based on Design Thinking

    • Digital Tools For Classroom Collaboration
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Digital Tools For Classroom Collaboration
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      It’s easy to communicate and collaborate with almost anyone anywhere, anytime just by clicking a button. Educators can use the same collaborative tools in the classroom to engage students in learning, collaboration, and critical thinking. Learn to use collaborative tools for projects. Teach students to give and receive constructive feedback from fellow classmates to students around the world. Explore tools for note-taking, multimedia bulletin boards, and more.
    • Energize Student Writing Through Author Craft
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Energize Student Writing Through Author Craft
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Energize students to level up their writing across all styles and content? Explore author’s craft through the writing process structure. Help writers improve their craft through immersive experiences where they explore and sculpt ideas into meaningful drafts to share with various audiences. Join us on this writing journey.
    • Gamification for Student Engagement & Learning
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Gamification for Student Engagement & Learning
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Student engagement is a key element for learning and academic achievement. Gamification is a system of tools such as badges, achievements, levels, and leaderboards to engage participants. Explore how to combine strategies to inspire students to practice, study, and learn more academic content. These gamification strategies result in increased student-led learning, critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving.

    • Helping Struggling Readers
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Helping Struggling Readers
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Learn to use Immersive Reader. Explore apps that address areas of phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency/reading rate, and comprehension, support ESL and specific-need or special needs students. During the course, participants will consider reading challenges students often face. Next they will review reading roadblocks using informal and observational assessments. Finally, they will apply this learning to their target audience (students or others). This course provides a toolkit of apps and strategies to address a wide variety of reading needs.


    • Increasing Efficiency and Productivity
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Increasing Efficiency and Productivity
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Become more productive, efficient and organized in your professional and personal life. Increase and improve productivity using apps and other simple technology.  Tech Tip 1: When selecting an app, learn to use it regularly. For example, update and check a calendar each day. Or create tasks in a list app, then complete and check them off.Tech Tip 2: Don’t try using everything at once. Start with one or two applications and then add more as needed.


    • Leading a Culture of Change in Your School
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Leading a Culture of Change in Your School
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Explore the essential needs of Leadership and Culture. This course is designed for school, district, and teacher leaders who wish to implement a change effort in their school or schools. Leaders is a broad category, and can include coaches, teachers, technology specialists, aspiring leaders, or other interested in supporting school change. This course will focus on technology initiatives and other ideas that incorporate change.
    • Power Up: Meaningful Data
      Registration ends June 1
      12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Power Up: Meaningful Data
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      During your career, you will have many new experiences utilizing teaching strategies and methodologies to achieve goals for yourself and your students. This course will expand your ability to effectively use data to increase the chances of reaching those goals. 
    • Remixing and Revising Open Educational Resources from #GoOpenMichigan
      Registration ends Jun 1
      Date: Jun 5
      Time: 12:00 AM to 12:02 AM
      Location: Begin work anytime.
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Open Educational Resources (OER) are free, high quality, openly licensed educational tools that can be retained, reused, revised, remixed, and redistributed. It’s easy to find multiple OER for your lessons or curriculum by using the comprehensive search tools on the #GoOpenMichigan website. Now learn to customize any lesson, presentation, activity or other OER from #GoOpenMichigan to help students achieve learning goals and standards. Remixing and revising OER provides endless opportunities to create fresh approaches to content and learning.
  • 20 Jun
    • June 20 Mastermind Meeting Series
      Registration ends June 16
      12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
      June 20 Mastermind Meeting Series
      Registration ends Jun 16
      Date: Jun 20
      Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
      Location: Virtual
      Calendar: WW Calendar
      Online meet-ups for troubleshooting and brainstorming with like minded edu-podcasters across the state of Michigan. Each meeting will be facilitated with topics for discussion originating from a weekly survey and in-meeting conversations.