Sunday 2 March 2008

Introduction and Welcome

The 2008 Chiang Mai Region
International Schools Learner Support Conference

Wednesday 19th March 2008
This Blog has been set up (by Chris Smith) to support the one day meeting of International Schools Teachers in Chiangmai (Thailand)

Welcome ...
The purpose of this Blog is to ....
  • provide information to participants from the organisers
  • allow presenters to pass information to participants
  • provide an opportunity for participants to introduce themselves
  • give participants the opportunity to contact presenters about any specific wishes and hopes they have for the sessions
  • provide a medium for participants to Blog about the sessions themselves, live, as they take place ... in order to provide a record of the session
One other reason for the Blog ... to model a web 2.0 tool in order not to just become more familiar with Blogs ... but also to better decide on their use and relevance for teaching and learning (k-12)
If you have any questions about the event then please email
Mary MacLachlan marym@ptis.ac.th FSL/ESOL teacher
Prem Tinsulanonda Int'l School

Participants (introduce yourself)

This section is an opportunity for participants (yes ... that's you!) to introduce themselves even before arriving on the day.
Just hit the "comments' link below this posting and hit the keyboard ...

It is completely up to you what you put, and it could even be anonymous ... BUT you might consider sharing ...
  • giving your name, school, year group taught, subjects taught, responsibilities, how long you have been in Chiangmai
  • saying what you hope to get from the day
  • any particular interests you have that you might like to talk with others about at any time in the future not just on this day
  • any specific (exciting) projects you have been involved in recently that you'd like to share
... and basically anything else
(that is not rude or defamitory ... we don't want to be sued)

Programme

8:00-8:30 .... Registration
8:30-9:30 .... Keynote (Chris Smith)
9:30-10:00 .... Break, Meet & Greet
10:00-11:30 .... Session 1
11:30-1:00 .... Session 2
1:00-1:45 .... Lunch
1:45-2:30 .... Session 3 Job-alike
2:30-2:50 .... Break
2:50-4:20 .... Session 4
Download detailed programme (Word doc 34 KB)
Download the Sign-Up form (Word doc 134KB)

it's requested that you complete and email
this (sessions) sign-up form and
return to
nopawank@premcenter.org by 8th March

Housekeeping

Venue: Prem Center 234 Moo 3, T. Huay Sai, A. Mae Rim

Parking: at the entrance to the school


Lunch: provided in the cafeteria


Internet Connectivity: wireless is available
It is recommended that you bring your laptop

Emergency Contact: school phone 053 301 500


Keynote: So You've Heard About Web 2.0

This one hour presentation will be a general introduction to the (new) "Read-Write" web, (Web 2.0), we will look at what it is, what makes a web 2.0 website different from the older more traditional ones.
We will also look at several examples and see how they might be used in teaching and learning.

If you have time before the workshop then have a browse around
http://www.shambles.net/web2 and http://web2videos.blogspot.com

If you'd like to know more about me then have a look at my online ePortfolio
www.shambles.net/csmith
Please leave requests, views,experiences in the comments below

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Making use of Blogs for teaching and learning

Making use of Blogs for teaching and learning
Presented by Chris Smith

What is a Blog (Weblog), how do you make one and what can they be used for with and by students ... we will answer all of these ... and we will create one in real time.


This session will be suitable for beginners and those with some experience .... the only skill hoped for is that you feel comfortable using your favourite web browser ... Internet Explorer or Firefox or ????

If you have time before the workshop then have a browse around
http://www.shambles.net/web2#blog and http://bloggingvideos.blogspot.com

Now what would be really BRILLIANT
is that if you already have a Blog then add it in the 'comment' below
.... with the web address ... and any background info about it that you would be willing to share!

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Podcasting

Web 2:0…so you and your students want to be Podcasters

Presented by Chris Smith

Making and producing Podcasts has become the “flavour of the month” for many teachers and students, but ironically, audio resources have been around for a long time. New technologies and the internet have made it easier to record and edit audio and also to distribute it to a worldwide audience. This session will go through the process of making a Podcast and also look at some of the uses in teaching and learning.

Podcasts are really very simple (once you have been shown) ... they are audio (sometimes video) recordings that are put on the internet and have the potential to be brilliant resources to use with students and by students.
Will we go through the whole process of making an audio Podcast and then putting it on a website so it can be listened to by anyone in the world with an internet connection.

If you have time before the workshop then have a browse around
http://www.shambles.net/podcasting and http://podcastingvideos.blogspot.com

Please leave requests, views,experiences
in the comments below

Online Drop Box for Conf. Files (using Drop.io)

I've created a folder on the internet for us all ... admin guys, attendees, presenters .. to put ANY files ... word, pdf, images, powerpoints, voice files, telephone messages ... in fact you can more or less drop anything here ... you can even send a fax to this folder and it is converted to a pdf.
It is NOT password protected (but it could have been) so you can upload anything and also view and download anything ... but only I can delete (OH .. the power .. the power)
My reason to do this is to provide another way of sharing materials and to model a facility you may not have seen before that can be used with your students (its free!).
Another reason is the hope that it will reduce the use of paper ... for obvious environmental reasons ... and minimise the carbon footprint of the day.

Where do all the files live? ...

How do you upload a file (several options)

drop.io: simple private sharing

Before uploading ... please name your files clearly
so that it shows your name and gives some idea
of what the file is about.
P.S. I've set this folder to auto destruct in September
... but I can change that if asked

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Science Inquiry

Science Inquiry
What is it and how can I make it happen in my classroom? Presented by Troy Frystak How can you make your science activities more like what real scientists do? How can you move your students away from just following procedure directions of a lab and toward designing their own investigations? How can you accomplish scientific inquiry within the confines of a traditional science curriculum? This workshop will introduce you to the idea of using science inquiry in your classroom and will present you with numerous ideas of how you can implement inquiry right now. This workshop is appropriate for any elementary teacher and for middle and high school science teachers.


Troy Frystak
has 12 years of teaching experience. Before coming to NIS, he taught 6th grade Science and Math at Huntington Middle School in San Marino, California. At Nakornpayap International School, he is a 6th grade homeroom teacher. He is also the Curriculum Coordinator and the Upper Elementary School Coordinator.
He received a B.A. from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Reader's and Writer's Workshop

Reader's and Writer's Workshop
Presented by Troy Frystak
This workshop will present the guiding features of Reader's and Writer's Workshop, teaching models founded on the belief that if students choose what they read and write about, they will be more interested and create higher quality work. These workshops are also focused around individualized instruction and work very well with very diverse classrooms. Because the teacher's role is changed from an instructor to a collaborator, student work becomes the focus. This model works very well with ESL students because it allows the teacher, through conferences and written responses, to focus in on the individual needs of every student. This workshop is appropriate for any elementary teacher as well as middle and high school language arts teachers.

See bio above


"Habits of Mind"

"Habits of Mind" - discover 16 thinking dispositions that can assist you and your students be more effective learners.
Presented by Maxine Driscoll
"Habits of Mind" is based on years of research and work by Professor Art Costa, a renowned American educator. Habits of Mind can be utilized in any K-12 classroom and also used at a personal level to improve the way we think, learn and act. Critical thinking, metacognition and reflection feature very highly in the 16 Habits. There is a direct correlation with many of the 16 Habits and the IB Philosophy.


Maxine Driscoll
has a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education, Deakin University, Australia. She has taught and held administrative roles in public, independent, and international schools in Australia. She was an executive member of the Australian Primary Principals' Association representing 7,000 principals in Australia. Maxine is currently the Junior School Principal and Deputy Head of School at Prem Tinsualonda International School, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
She is a trained International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program workshop leader, PYP Authorization and Evaluation Visiting Team member and Council of International Schools accreditation team member. Maxine is passionate about learning.

The myths and realities of being bilingual

The myths and realities of being bilingual
Presented by Jason Hunt
This workshop will discuss how language is learned, the challenges faced by students and teachers, vocabulary acquisition, alternatives to textbooks, and more.


Jason Hunt
is currently teaching ESOL and Spanish Ab initio at Prem. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in History/Archaeology and a Masters degree in Second Languages and Cultures from the University of Minnesota. His certifications include Elementary Education, Spanish k-12, and ESL k-12. In the past,
Jason has taught science, math, history, and English in the USA, Kuwait, Mexico, and China. This is his fourth year in Thailand.

ESL .. Free ICT Resources

Finding and Using Free ICT
Technology Resources to Support ESL
Presented by Chris Smith

Suitable for any K-12 teacher, this workshop will highlight some, mainly free, ESL software and online applications that will be helpful to teachers.I shall share some of the experiences I have during this session...
... BUT I should also like to spend some of the time with those attending sharing their own experiences .. and sharing their (your!) favourite programs and websites.
So please bring the details with you.
It could well make the session even more valuable
if you added your favourites in the "comments" below
before you even come to the day ... please do!

Web Design & Publishing

Web Design & Publishing
Presented by Michael Koronkiewicz
This workshop will provide an introduction to the many facets of web design and publication. By the end of the session, it is expected that you will have created a basic website and that you have gained an understanding of the following topics:

  • choosing the most appropriate software
  • understanding and selecting the best hosting package for your needs
  • layout and design
  • graphics
  • file structure
  • getting up on search engines(Google, Yahoo!, etc.)
No previous experience in web design is required
but would be helpful



Michael Koronkiewicz
has a BSc from Southern Connecticut State and a Masters of Education from Columbia University , USA . He has worked as a knowledge architect, designing interactive e-learning programs for corporate clients in New York , and as an instructional designer with UNESCO, Bangkok .
Michael is the IT coordinator at Prem in addition to teaching IT in the senior school

Student Learning Through Small Group Work

Effectively Supporting Student Learning Through Small Group Work.
Jointly presented by Dr. Graeme Ritchie and Ms. Katie Sheffield The aim of this workshop is to provide teachers with tried and tested activities used by middle and high school teachers which;

  • ensure all members of each group are active
  • Provide appropriate tasks for a wide range of abilities within a classroom
  • Build background knowledge on a topic or reinforce knowledge at a revision/review stage
  • Allow shy students to negotiate terms within a group rather than in front of a whole class
  • Help students to move from spoken language towards academic written language

Will be illustrated by interactive exercises from a wide range of curriculum areas.
Provide opportunities for participants to reflect on the value and challenges of small group work in their own teaching.


Dr. Graeme Ritchie
has over 10 years of teaching experience. He was formerly Head of Master of Arts Program in TESOL at Payap University, and is currently an EAP teacher at Nakornpayap International School. He holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D from Aberdeen University, and M.Ed in TESOL from Edinburgh University.
Ms. Katie Sheffield
has 17 years of teaching experience. She holds a Master Degree in Teaching Second Languages from USQ Australia, a BA Honours Degree from Trent Polytechnic, a DALF Diploma from Nantes, France, and a BAWLA Certificate. She is the EAP & ELS Coordinator at Nakornpayap International School.

Prem Farm

Prem Farm
Presented by Sheena Jackson
The Prem Farm is a small organic farm that models sustainable development.
This workshop includes an orientation to The Prem Farm that will highlight the myriad of teachable moments on the farm for all ages groups.
Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get close and personal with a few farm animals and try out some farm chores.


Sheena Jackson
.. comes from Calgary, Canada and has a degree in earth sciences from the University of Calgary. While attending university, she started a campus and community garden with up to 20 volunteers. All surplus food was given to the campus food bank for hungry, underprivileged students.
Sheena grew up in a home with a large garden in the backyard, and growing one’s on food was a natural part of daily living. Before coming to Prem, Sheena taught hands-on environmental education in Thailand for three years. Now, as The Prem farm and field coordinator, she enjoys sharing farming experiences with students, and showing people how to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Team Building Through Games

Team Building Through Games
Presented by Wally Hueneke
Participants please note you will be physically involved in all activities so come dressed to move.
Some of these initiative games and adventure activities are based on the work of Karl Rohnke, whose books are well worth looking at. As he suggests lessons may be planned but spontaneity and inventiveness are the prerequisites for effective results.
My aim is for teachers to see how easy it can be with little equipment to provide exciting and stimulating team work/ getting to know you/ initiative activities. I will provide some paper work which may help you with future planning of these lessons.


Wally Hueneke
... has held a number of leadership roles in physical and outdoor education in Australia. Along with a Diploma of Teaching, he has advanced certification in mountain leadership, rock-climbing and canoeing.
Wally has also coached most major sports, been involved with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, and has experience in ski touring and environmental camps such as Earth Institute.

Conclusion / Evaluation

Download the feedback form from here ...
Word doc 174KB

www.shambles.net/chiangmaiworkshops/chiangmaiteachersfeedback2008.doc


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Gifted and Talented Bag of Tricks

Gifted and Talented Bag of Tricks
Presented by Matthew Gosper
This workshop will present of a number of practical ways in which exceptionally able students can be extended in the classroom. Support strategies are drawn from ideas that have been used with success in the international school setting.


Matthew Gosper
... is an educational psychologist who provides private consultancy support to families and schools through the South East Asian region. He is office-based in Bangkok.
This school year he has been working part-time with The Prem Centre to assist development of student support services. In the area of the exceptionally able.
Matthew has both a formal background (through post-graduate coursework) and a number of years practical experience in advising international schools regarding gifted recognition and support