Abstract

A Balancing Act: Training and Supporting K-12 Teachers
Track: Educational Research and Teacher Education
Author(s): Chris Bunin, Andy Mink, Kevin Mickey

Designing meaningful GIS applications in the K-12 environment requires a professional development program that balances technology, content, and pedagogy. This panel will discuss how "The Virginia Experiment" TAH Grant designed and implemented a year-long program that trained teachers to use GIS, conduct historical scholarship, and write GIS and inquiry based curriculum. Through a collegial approach, participants partook in GIS training, research retreats, scholar lunches, curriculum workshops, face-to-face and on-line discussions, and the completion of a GIS/historical inquiry and instruction portfolio. We will demonstrate how we built this cohort of teachers, developed the portfolio and evaluation rubric, and supported teachers as geo-historians/GIS users in the classroom. We will conclude by sharing successes, challenges, and implementation/replication tips. Handouts, lessons, and GIS data will be provided.

Chris Bunin
The "Virginia Experiment" Teaching American History Grant
1400 Melbourne Road
Charlottesville , Virginia 22901
United States
Phone: 434-245-2831
Fax: 434-245-2604
E-mail: chris.bunin@ccs.k12.va.us

Andy Mink
Virginia Center for Digital History, University of Virginia
Box 400116 Alderman Library
Charlottesville , Virginia 22904
United States
Phone: 434-924-7834
Fax: 434-243-5566
E-mail: atm5w@virginia.edu

Kevin Mickey
The Polis Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
1200 Waterway Boulevard
Indianapolis , Indiana 46202
United States
Phone: (317) 278-2582
Fax: (317) 278-1830
E-mail: kmickey@iupui.edu