Educating Innovators
Summer Maker Camp Uses UMW’s Learner Space
A student learns about circuitry by using tools in UMW’s LearnerSpace
Thirteen students ages 8 to 14 participated in a unique summer program using tools contained in the UMW College of Education’s LearnerSpace, a new maker space for education on the Stafford campus. The College sponsored this first-time camp and COE Professor George Meadows worked with program personnel and the students during the week-long camp from August 5 to 9.
Campers worked with a number of the resource materials in the LearnerSpace, including 3D printing, coding video games, simulations and interactive stories, and learning about microelectronics and circuitry through various devices. One student composed a musical arrangement of ‘Lean On Me’ entirely using computer code. Kids also launched rockets constructed from paper, challenged each other in creating squishy circuits made with conductive dough, and even made use of sewing machines, needles, conductive thread, and LED’s to make electronic stuffed animals. One student created an interactive electronic doll version of the Creeper, a character from the popular online game, Minecraft. Another student, continuing with the Minecraft theme, used the alternative input device, the Makey Makey, to build a large Play Dough game controller to move his character around the Minecraft environment.
The week-long camp taught children about 3D printing, electronics and robotics
The camp was organized by NoizIvy.org as one of its kidOYO educational technology programs. NoizIvy is a local non-profit engaged in helping educators deliver advanced programs in schools, as well as producing a host of other student-driven educational programs.
For more information about NoizIvy visit NoizIvy.org/services. To find out more about the College of Education’s LearnerSpace contact George Meadows at gmeadows@umw.edu.
Flipping the Classroom
Educator Bill Bosher Addresses Master’s Candidates, May 10
Dr. William “Bill” Cleveland Bosher Jr., public policy expert and former Virginia superintendent of education, urged University of Mary Washington graduates to hold onto their passion and enthusiasm as they continue in their future paths. Bosher spoke at the University of Mary Washington’s graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10.
Public Policy Expert Bill Bosher spoke to master’s degree candidates at the Anderson Center.
“I would say to those of you today with new skills and new knowledge: the day that you cease to be excited about young people, I don’t want you teaching mine,” Bosher said. “The day that you cease to be excited about your business or your company or what you sell or what you provide as a service, I don’t want to buy it. Because part of this is not just being prepared with new skills and knowledge, but part of it is the excitement that you have.”
Bosher addressed more than 1,000, including graduates, family members, friends and faculty, gathered in the William M. Anderson Center. A total of 249 graduate degrees were awarded, including 111 Master of Education degrees, 87 Master of Business Administration degrees, 34 Master of Science in Elementary Education degrees and 15 Master of Science in Management Information Systems degrees. Two graduates received both the MBA and the MSMIS in a dual-degree program.
For Bosher, positive traits like dependability and teamwork hold more weight than a grade point average or academic knowledge alone.
“When people call me
for references, they don’t first ask about the GPA,” he said. “First they ask: What is their attendance? Second, they ask: Do they get along with people?”
In his address, he urged graduates to remember the personal sacrifices they made to achieve their goals. He advised them, as they move forward, to create a plan, remain goals-oriented and take time to celebrate their achievements.
Bosher has been a teacher, principal, state director, local superintendent of two districts with more than 35,000 students and the superintendent of public instruction for the commonwealth of Virginia. He currently serves as distinguished professor of public policy and education at Virginia Commonwealth University and executive director of the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute, a legislative entity focused on research, training and policy analysis.
Named the arts administrator of the year by the Kennedy Center, Bosher is the only superintendent in Virginia to be named twice as the Superintendent of the Year. He has served as a consultant in more than 35 states and a dozen foreign countries on topics related to educational law and finance, policy analysis, standards development, school evaluations and human relations.
UMW awarded 249 graduate degrees.
The co-author of “Law and Education: Contemporary Issues and Court Decisions” and “The School Law Handbook, What Every Leader Needs to Know,” Bosher is the board chairman of Edvantia, a research and evaluation nonprofit, and is a fellow of SchoolNet and the Urban Health Initiative.
Steve Pemberton, business executive, motivational speaker and noted author, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. on Ball Circle.
Educator-in-Residence Shares Teaching Advice
“You’re going to change the world. Why? Because you have to,” said Mann, who spent more than 35 years in the classroom. “Do what you have to do to get through to the kids. It’s all for them.”
Mann, or Mrs. Mann as her students referred to her, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Mary Washington and began teaching elementary school in Alabama. She retired from teaching 10 years ago from Chesterfield County Public Schools.
She offered sage tips to the graduating class of future teachers: “Protect your teacher voice. Suck on menthol, eucalyptus cough drops” . . . “Build relationships and support who and what you believe in. . . You can’t teach in an isolated classroom.”
And Mann heeds her own advice. She served on the Virginia Education Association (VEA) Board of Directors for 12 years and as president of the Chesterfield Education Association (CEA). She remains active in the VEA Retired Council, the CEA Board of Directors and the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Of course, she sucked on a cough drop during her remarks.
“Be bold, be brave, communicate, advocate for education,” said Mann, who also is an active member of the UMW alumni community, serving on the UMW Alumni Association Board and its executive committee. In addition, she is a member of the College of Education’s first advisory board and supports UMW education students through two endowed scholarship funds.
“If you work hard and you love what you do, the kids can feel it and they’ll learn,” said Mann.
The daylong event at the Stafford campus also featured graduate presentations ranging from using graphic novels in the classroom to employing computer games to teach math, hands-on time in the new makerspace on the Stafford campus, and a ceremony celebrating graduates with a number of COE awards.Barbara Bishop Mann ’66 to Serve as Educator-in-Residence, 5/1
Prior to the lecture, graduating students from the College of Education will present their research projects from 1 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Mann’s lecture will be followed by recognition of the College of Education graduates at 6:30 p.m. and a reception at 7 p.m. The lecture, presentations and reception are free and open to the public.
Mann retired from Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2003, after 35 years as an elementary school teacher. She served on the Virginia Education Association (VEA) Board of Directors for 12 years and as president of the Chesterfield Education Association (CEA). Mann remains active in the VEA Retired Council, the CEA Board of Directors and the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
An active member of the UMW alumni community, Mann has served on the UMW Alumni Association Board and its Executive Committee. She is a member of the College of Education’s first Advisory Board and is a supporter of UMW education students through two endowed scholarship funds.
Mann received a bachelor’s in history from Mary Washington and a master’s in elementary education from Old Dominion University.
For a full schedule of student presentations, visit http://education.umw.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/81/files/2013/04/Grad_Pres_Sched.pdf.3rd Annual EdTech Conference
Thank you to the College of Education faculty and staff, UMW employees and administrators, and the Conference committee, including K12 school officials, for another successful EdTech conference held Friday, March 15, 2013 at the University of Mary Washington. A special thanks goes to Tember Smith and Terry Luttrell for their continued efforts and special talents of organization to ensure our success.
Two generations of teachers
join the EdTech Conference
To begin the day, the Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Mary Gendernalik-Cooper welcomed over 150 K12 teachers, principals, superintendents, technology directors, parents, and university professors and students from UMW and around Virginia to the 3rd annual EdTech Conference on the Stafford Campus.
Our distinguished speakers presented the latest in cutting edge learning technologies and good teaching methods.
Jean Weller, Instructional Technologist for the VDOE Office of Educational Technology
The keynote speaker, Jean Weller, instructional technologist for the Virginia Department of Education Office of Educational Technology introduced the attendees to quality resources supported by the VDOE which can be easily found on their Web site as well as the many technology initiatives supported by the Virginia Department of Education that all Virginia teachers should be aware of.
Following the keynote speaker, the Conference shifted into seven back-to-back concurrent sessions that included K12 teachers, graduate students, instructional resource teachers, and the Director of Academic Technologies for Stafford schools.
The concurrent sessions highlighted best practices, both in instruction and across the school itself.
Dr. George Meadows and Tim Owens
3D Printing at UMW
Dr. George Meadows and Tim Owens brought the group back together to provide the attendees with a taste of 3D printing at UMW and how these interactive tools are being used to teach students creative and design thinking.
In our final session, Tracey Lewis provided attendees with a look at social media throughout our society and discussed implications of use in K12. Her workshop centered on schools taking responsibility to help students learn proper and safe use of social media tools while providing them to students in an instructional manner.
To wrap up the day, a raffle sharing both electronic gifts and University items such as College of Education mugs, t-shirts, and the prized 3D vase helped place a warm smile on everyone’s face as they were leaving the building.
Another successful year and we hope to see everyone again next year!
Tracey Lewis
Social Media and our Kids
Sincerely,
Teresa Coffman and Tamie Pratt-Fartro
EdTech Conference Coordinators
Patricia Reynolds to Present Research
Patricia Reynolds
Patricia E. Reynolds, assistant professor in the College of Education, and Caroline Noxon, a 2012 M.Ed. graduate, will present at the Virginia ESL Supervisors Conference on Saturday, Feb. 2 in Richmond.
The presentation, “‘You Can’t Talk To Me Like That’: Origins and Attitudes of Elementary Classroom Teachers about Bilingual Code Switching,” is based on Noxon’s research for her master’s thesis.
Reynolds has been invited to present her doctoral research, “Learning the Ropes: Children Crossing Cultures,” at the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language meeting in Liverpool, U.K. in April 2013.
Teresa Coffman Publishes Book
Teresa Coffman, associate professor of education, is the author of a recently published book, “Using Inquiry in the Classroom: Developing Creative Thinkers and Information Literate Students.”
The book, published by Rowman & Littlefield in January 2013, provides an overview of inquiry learning and the importance of developing creative thinkers and information literate students in 21st century education. The text explores how learning can be directly applied in a classroom setting using real world application through technology oriented activities. Coffman showcases WebQuests, Web inquiry, telecollaborative, and problem-based activities with examples and skill-building exercises for readers to implement in their classroom. Readers work through strategies for effectively integrating technology into a teaching and learning environment so students gain maximum knowledge and understanding of core concepts. Plus, the content is personalized so that the reader can create activities and lessons for specific curriculum needs.
Coffman, T. (2013). Using inquiry in the classroom: Developing creative thinkers and information literate students. (2nd Ed.). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education. ISBN 978-1-61048-851-8
