Discovery Education Speakers Bureau

The increased use of media and technology by students at every age range is having a profound impact on the physical brain. Neural connections are being made that prior to now did not exist. What does this mean for teachers, students and parents? Is it possible for the digital immigrants in the teaching community to ever catch up? The difference in learning is significant.  As students change, instruction must change to remain effective.  Take a look backwards and then a leap forward to where we are headed in society and in education as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities the iBrain presents.

The rapidly changing needs of the business world demand rapid changes in the way we teach students. Restructuring of teacher workdays and budget cuts reduce professional development time to a minimum. The answer: Enhanced use of forums, blogs, wikis, podcasts, twits, and educational communities for teachers to learn new skills with support from peer experts throughout the world. The model for professional development has changed without many of us realizing it or taking advantage of it. The advancement of Web 2.0 makes the opportunities for professional development easily accessible to even the most basic computer users.

In a time when there has never been a greater discord about instructional methods, student learning processes, and the needs of the business world, it is imperative for administrators to provide an educational environment that is conducive to change and adaptation while addressing the concerns of standardized testing and parents perception of what education should be. Administrators are responsible for providing effective staff development and must provide leadership that is directive, facilitative, and nurturing. Learn how administrators can provide systems of communication that are clear, consistent, easily maintained, and limit the impact on classroom instructional time.

If students could be taught using the skills and tools they have today, and teachers provided instruction that worked to meet the needs of the world tomorrow, what would it look like? This session will give a glimpse of what is taking place in far too few classrooms across the world today. Pulling examples from lessons using digital stories, Google Earth, podcasts, blogs, wikis, and many Web 2.0 resources, educators will get a glimpse of what education can look like. Integrating current technologies with instruction will provide increased student motivation, development and use of higher-order thinking skills, and better connectivity with the needs of the world today.

With budding Steven Spielbergs in every classroom and with free or affordable software available for teachers to facilitate the needs of the “You Tube” generation, it is helpful to know tricks that make a basic digital story look like feature movie. Through simple tweaks and basic skills, teachers can introduce their students to special effects that will enhance their creative expression. We all remember the Star Trek “Beam me up!” sequences and movie characters with ghost-like, silhouetted images. You do not have to have a million dollar budget or fancy equipment to achieve the same effects. Utilizing programs such as Adobe Premiere Elements, a digital camera, and little creativity, you can take your students’ digital stories to new and exciting heights.

In a time where there has never been a greater discord about instructional methods, student learning processes, and the needs of the business world, it is imperative for administrators to provide an educational environment that is conducive to change and adaptation while addressing the concerns of standardized testing and parents perception of what education should be. Administrators are responsible for providing effective staff development and must provide leadership that is directive, facilitative, and nurturing. Learn how administrators can provide systems of communication that are clear, consistent, easily maintained, and limit the impact on classroom instructional time.

If students could be taught using the skills and tools they have today, and teachers provided instruction that worked to meet the needs of the world tomorrow, what would it look like? This session will give a glimpse of what is taking place in far too few classrooms across the world today. Pulling examples from lessons using digital stories, Google Earth, podcasts, blogs, wikis, and many Web 2.0 resources, educators will get a glimpse of what education can look like. Integrating current technologies with instruction will provide increased student motivation, development and use of higher-order thinking skills, and better connectivity with the needs of the world today.

Nothing is more frustrating to an educator than professional development that is not relevant to the classroom or does not enhance their teaching experience. To teach students in the 21st Century, teachers need quality professional development addresses the critical, yet frequently unemployed skills that teachers and administrators can use to enhance daily teaching, decrease time spent on activities other than teaching, make a measurable difference on standardized tests, and construct a culture of student focused activity. This session will help you separate the “fluff from the stuff” and mine the untapped resources within your own school resources. The session also speaks to the need to make staff development more than a one day session that has little long-term impact and turn it into a sustainable model that will directly affect teaching for years to come.

You’ve heard the term in the media, trade publications, at staff developments. Even Congress is talking about it. But what is a “21st Century Student” and what makes him different from the student of a decade ago? Their brains are developing in a different way. They are processing information differently than any students before them. They learn new skills in entirely new manners. They have skills that many adults cannot conceptualize or are not comfortable with, so we limit their use in the classroom. By understanding the students we are teaching, as well as what preparations they need to be successful in the future, educational institutions can adjust their methods of instruction to better meet the needs of these students.

Brad Fountain

"Brad has proven to be a huge asset! My first encounter with Brad was at an ETV Workshop in Columbia, South Carolina. After his presentation, I was so excited! Brad presents technology in the fun and exciting way that I, as a Technology Educator, want to present it to teachers in my school district. Whether you are attending a presentation of his or just meeting Brad at a conference, you will know what it means to be a STAR!!"

Julia Davis, Technology Education Specialist

November, 2007

Workshops and Concurrent Sessions

"Brad is a great presenter who presents with the teacher in mind. His presentations on Photo Story 3, MovieMaker, and Adobe Premiere Elements help classroom teachers understand the process of connecting the software to the content. His interest and understanding for creatingdigital content in the classroom shines through."

MaryAnn Sansonetti, Technology Education Specialist

November, 2007

"After teaching 23 years and moving to a new technology focused school and knowing very little about technology, Brad Fountain was my Knight In Shining Armor! His technology sessions were awesome and well paced for me and addressed my needs! He motivated me to discover that that technology was a tool to enhance student learning and could be integrated throughout the curriculum. He also taught me that you are never too old to master new learning experiences!"

Victoria Mattison, 1st Grade Teacher

"Brad Fountain's Digital Storytelling is AWESOME!! I can't wait to get home and play. The energy & excitement in this session was wonderful & really built excitement for the program. Thanks! "

Kathy Weishuhn, Sedgefield Intermediate

"My favorite part was the enthusiasm of the instructors ... I don't want to leave! Keep teaching me!"

Katie Barringer, Gilbert Elementary

"We have been very fortunate to have Brad Fountain conduct hands-on workshops at our ETV Teacher Technology Workshops here in Columbia, South Carolina. Brad's workshops always get the highest marks. We get comments like 'Awesome! Energetic! Built excitment!' He is also very flexible and has stepped into classes willingly at the last minute and again did an excellent job. Thank you Brad for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with our teachers."

Donna Thompson, ETV StreamlineSC

Technology Consultant/Trainer for South Carolina

"I would have liked more time - so much good stuff to learn. A lot of great tips were presented during this session. I can't wait to put what I learned to good use for students and teachers!"

Gail King, Killian Elementary

"Energetic, fast paced and interactive. I will definitely use this information. I was thinking of ways I will use this before the session was over."

Tamara Cox, Palmetto Middle