Expanding STEM Education Through Teacher Workshops
Professional development is an important part of GEAR UP. Through a collaborative partnership with Texas Instruments teachers receive technology-infused math and science instruction. Schools also received TI products, resulting in enhanced learning experiences in math, science, and technology at GEAR UP schools.
Screen capture shows TI Trainer Valerie Hudson in action along with a programmable Rover. Credit Texas Instruments
USU GEAR UP provided $100K of TI products to Utah schools to help students learn coding and robotics
Teachers said to use the Rover felt like doing a Mars mission on a small scale. Credit NASA
How do you get teachers excited about virtual learning? That’s easy. Just tap into educational partner Texas Instrument’s network of experienced trainers and give teachers cool tools to play with. This is exactly what happened when twenty-seven teachers participated in two-day workshops this August and September sponsored by Utah State University STARS! GEAR UP.
TI workshops provide in-depth instruction on graphing, coding, and robotics to help teachers improve basic and advanced skills. Lessons on the TI-Innovator Hub and Rover, and the TI-Nspire CX II handhelds make it clear that these tools do more than calculate numbers. With built-wireless communication software, “teachers are able to send and collect assignments,” said Sandra Hocutt, TI systemic coach. The software lets “students log in to class and allows the teachers to save documents and files the students have worked on.” It even lets them ask and answer questions.
“Teachers participated in whole-group as well as smaller, breakout sessions where they were able to work in groups of three or four,” said Valerie Hudson, TI instructor. “In either format, teachers participated through audio, typing in the chat, or sharing their computer screens and/or video.” TI instructors shared a wealth of teaching knowledge. Hudson worked with grant two and three schools, bringing 31 years of experience as a high school mathematics teacher.
One teacher said that while this year was different, he “still felt like I was able to connect with others and learn how to improve my practice.” Hocutt agreed, adding that “even in this virtual world, the teachers were willing to communicate and take part in discussion and practice with the new technology, sharing their computer desktops with the group during training.” Working with 9th grade teachers from Granite School District grant four schools, she brings 29 years of classroom teaching experience to her TI training.
“GEAR UP is a wonderful program and has helped our school immensely,” said Cathy McDonald, a math teacher at Cottonwood High School. “They have been able to supply us with several classroom sets of calculators, either the TI84s or the TI-Nspires, have helped to cover the cost of having someone come in and tutor our students.” The USU GEAR UP program provided $100K of TI products to Utah schools this year to help students learn math, science, and technology.
When asked what she liked best about the training, McDonald said that she loved programming the Rover and thinks that her students will too. Her TI-Nspire supplies purchased by GEAR UP just arrived. She plans to use them to illustrate how mathematics can open the door to wonderful career opportunities. “I felt like we were doing on a small scale what the NASA folks have done on Mars,” said McDonald.
Professional development opportunities sponsored by GEAR UP take place many times a year. GEAR UP science day is held in the spring for science teachers.TI coaches are available throughout the year to give follow-up instruction to teachers. Teachers attend our summer camps to learn alongside their students. Talk to the site coordinator at your school for more information on professional development for educators.