During summer vacation, lots of kids go to camp — and so do some adults. Close to 200 participants attended an “EdCamp” at Riverhead High School on July 11.
The camp was structured as an “un-conference” with no set agenda, where participants volunteer to lead sessions on anything of interest. Participants were comprised of every position within the education profession, from superintendents to future teachers still in school, and included several teachers and administrators from Riverhead Central School District.
EdCamp is an international organization, with 35 sites around the world convening simultaneously. Riverhead’s meeting was the largest EdCamp meeting in New York, and one of the highest attended in the country with participants from more than 50 districts.
Michael Hugelmeyer, RCSD director of professional development, said he was inspired after attending EdCamp in Hampton Bays last year.
“The spontaneity and collegiality there was inspiring and infectious,” he said. “We kept in touch and we agreed to host EdCamp at Riverhead this summer.”
Attendees discussed testing, diversity, alternative ways of approaching subjects students don’t find engaging, using Google applications and much more.
Tom Whitby, who says he’s attended 50 sessions of EdCamp, summarized the program as a highly effective method of engaging adults in the learning process.
“Adults learn through collaboration and the best form of collaboration for adults is conversation,” said Whitby. “The best type of professional development for educators has three components: input, collegial conversation and a ‘learning event’ that they can apply immediately.”
In the session he initiated, Whitby started a conversation on 21st-century teaching. He presented the question, “What do you think a 21st-century educator is or does?”
Comments about components of 21st-century teaching included:
- It gives students hands-on learning opportunities.
- It offers students choices to engage their passions and interests.
- It allows students to demonstrate their knowledge through their own projects.
- It involves discussion – teacher-led or student-driven.
The next EdCamp on Long Island is scheduled for October 1 in Massapequa.
Source: Press release issued by Riverhead Central School District.
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