DISCOVERY EDUCATION INVITES TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WORLDWIDE TO FALL VIRTCON
-- Free online and in person event to explore most effective ways to integrate digital media into instructional practice --
September 18, 2013
Silver Spring, Md., [September 18, 2013] - Discovery Education invites teachers and administrators worldwide to attend the upcoming Discovery Educator Network (DEN) Fall VirtCon on Saturday, October 19. Focused on the theme Tech or Treat, this free, day-long professional development event combines both virtual and face-to-face opportunities for educators to learn tips, tricks and treats supporting the integration of digital media into classroom instruction. The DEN is supported by Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content for K-12 classrooms.
Conducted in conjunction with Connected Educator Month, this event features a variety of online and in person workshops and presentations from some of the top leaders in the movement to digital learning. Among the highlighted presenters are:
- S. Dallas Dance, superintendent of Maryland's Baltimore County Schools, who will present highlights from his new strategic plan, Blueprint 2.0, which will take his district through a digital conversion.
- Dr. Troy Hicks, the author of Crafting Digital Writing and The Digital Writing Workshop. Hicks' work focuses on the teaching of writing, literacy and technology, as well as teacher education and professional development.
- Kelly Hines, a teacher in North Carolina's Guilford County Schools. A leader and learner in her 15th year of teaching in North Carolina, Hines has taught students in grades 3 through 6, as well as having served as a gifted learning specialist. Hines is a North Carolina Kenan Fellow and a DEN Guru.
"The DEN's VirtCon is one of the most valuable learning events I attend," said Rita Mortenson, an Educational Technology Coordinator and Business Education Instructor in Wisconsin's Verona Area School District. "I encourage every educator, no matter your position, to make time to participate in the VirtCon. You'll return to your classroom with new tactics and strategies you can immediately implement to support your use of educational technologies and digital content in classroom instruction."
A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing, and inspiration. As one of the largest professional education learning communities, the DEN has impacted more than one million educators worldwide. The DEN conducts two VirtCons annually. The Spring 2013 VirtCon attracted 2,400 attendees who participated online and at 43 in person events.
"Discovery Education is pleased to again offer the DEN VirtCon to educators around the globe," said Lance Rougeux, vice president of learning communities and instructional implementation for Discovery Education. "This is the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in transforming education through the thoughtful application of educational technology and digital content to learn some new skills and network with their peers. I am looking forward to a great event and invite educators worldwide to attend."
Discovery Education is also encouraging teachers to create local Face 2 Face (F2F) events at which they can convene with their peers, participate in the online events and discuss and workshop the online presentations. For more information about the 2013 DEN Fall VirtCon, including details on registration, online and in person events, and hosting local events, visit http://virtconlive.com/. Use the hash tag #VirtConLive to follow along with this event on Twitter.
To learn more about the DEN and Discovery Education's other initiatives and services, visitwww.discoveryeducation.com
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.