On November 21st, Project Look Sharp’s Chris Sperry, attended the 94th NCSS Annual Conference in beautiful and historic Boston, Massachusetts. The NCSS Conference is the world’s largest and most comprehensive social studies professional development conference. The event allowed people to gain new ideas, resources, and skills while being engaging and exploring rich and varied learning opportunities. More than 3,000 people across the United States and the world attended the conference to share the most current knowledge, ideas, expertise and research in social studies education.
The conference was held from November 18th through the 23rd. Chris Sperry presented on: Understanding the Middle East through inquiry; simulation and media literacy with the theme of building 21st century skills. Chris’ presentation was structured for secondary level to high school teachers with a disciplinary area of global connections. During the fast paced, interactive, and dynamic workshop, Chris was able to engage participants in reflection and modeling of an inquiry-based classroom methodology tied to new C3 standards.
By the end of the presentation, participants were able to understand the relationship of social studies Common Core Literacy standards, specifically in reading, and the C3 framework. Chris also taught participants about resources to support immediate instructional needs including hundreds of lesson plans with all materials needed, theoretical understanding. Ongoing staff development such as books, videos, and websites were also included. The workshop resulted in participants to be inspired through engaging classroom analysis of rich media documents. This interactive learning experience was a great success with high levels of interest and engagement.
Project look Sharp is Ithaca College's Media Literacy Initiative. Project Look Sharp supports the integration of critical thinking through media literacy in school curriculum and teaching. They do this through developing and providing lesson plans, media materials, training, and support for educators at all education levels. The purpose of media literacy education is to help individuals of all ages develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and active citizens in today’s world.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20141205134953122