Discovery Education Speakers Bureau

The cameras in their cell phones make them citizen journalists. The web is their personal library and media center. Social networks give them enormous group expertise.  They communicate in real time with the ends of the earth. But can they convince their teachers to let them learn at school with help from such powerful tools? Beyond the "wow," technology provides nearly limitless potential for connectivity and education. See examples of how today's technologies can (and should) engage and teach a new generation of students.

Become a film maker for a day and add that skill to your teaching toolkit. Learn how to make standards based videos using the American Film Institute's "Lights! Camera! Education!" curriculum based on years of experience with their K-12 Screen Ed program. Learn to brainstorm, write, film, and edit a polished video that can be applied to any subject at any grade level. Leave with access to media that builds on what you have learned. The skills acquired transfer to project-based learning, collaborative learning, and 21st Century skills.  The path to mastery is just a workshop away.

The American Film Institute has released its K-12 Screen Ed curriculum as the video program "Lights! Camera! Education!" available through Discovery Education Streaming. Learn from a twelve-year audiovideo K-12 veteran how to use the AFI’s years of experience working with students to integrate movie making into creative collaboration for all grade levels in any subject. The skills acquired transfer to project-based learning, collaborative learning, and 21st Century skills.

Web 2.0 technologies such as Podcasting and Blogging break down the barriers to publishing teacher and student created content on the internet. Schools that do so are finding the benefits reach far beyond the classroom walls. By making learning transparent, many schools are creating a strong sense of community while offering their students the opportunity to collaborate with others on a global level. See how some districts have embraced these new technologies while still maintaining high standards and keeping their students safe.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is the backbone of many of the most popular new web technologies, such as blogs and podcasts. However, that's just the very tip of the iceberg. Learn what RSS is and then learn how RSS can be used to create individualized professional development and learning communities. Explore built in browser tools and aggregators and gain an understanding of how you can take control of your blog's RSS feed as well as how to use other feeds to drive dynamic content throughout your site. You'll be amazed by the diverse ways RSS can be used.