Teachers' Domain News - October 2008

Teachers' Domain Awarded Grant For Biotechnology Education

This past month, Teachers' Domain was awarded a $926,000 grant from the Amgen Foundation to create new biotechnology resources, scientist career profiles, an online professional development course, and seven regional teacher professional development workshops for high school science teachers over the next two years.

As a result of this grant, teachers and students will have free access to award-winning digital media and interactive visualizations designed to illustrate a variety of core concepts in the field of biotechnology.

For the full story press release click here.

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Calling all teachers & students

interested in video production!

WGBH is excited to announce "Youth Voices" - an open call for pitches from 13-18 year olds to produce video segments on climate change. Check out WGBH Lab or contact Teachers' Domain for details.

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5 Minutes with Ty Robinson,
Teachers' Domain Teacher of the Month

Ty is a Science Teacher at Provo High School in Utah, a state in which 60.8% of K-12 schools have at least one Teachers' Domain registered user. He is the winner of the 2008 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching (PAEMST) and has been a public school teacher for 22 years. Three of those years were at the Department of Teacher Education at Brigham Young University.

If you weren't teaching, what would you be doing?
Ty: If I weren’t teaching, I would be working for an oil company doing oil exploration.

How do you use Teachers' Domain in your classroom?
Ty: I assign my students several Teachers' Domain assignments (discussion questions) to complete as homework throughout the term. I frequently begin my earth science class by asking students questions or by making comments about an assigned Teachers' Domain activity. This seems to naturally get students on task and elevates their interest levels about the learning.

I also use Teachers' Domain in class to help solidify a student’s understanding. I plan to further extend Teachers' Domain in my classroom by setting up a blog with questions that my students can respond to as part of a Teachers' Domain resource.

How does TD help your students?
Ty: Teachers' Domain focuses my students on concepts and new materials that I teach them. What I really enjoy about Teachers' Domain is that it shows me the state core standards that it meets. Because many of the video clips repeat the same standard, I can pick and choose video clips and assignments that enhance my lessons. Teachers' Domain is user friendly, its assignments are interesting for students, and they require only 10-15 minutes to complete. Yet, they provide tremendous information and learning.

What advice on using TD would you give to new (teacher) users?
Ty: I feel that a new teacher should take advantage of the lessons provided by Teachers' Domain, and should align them with their state science core curriculum. They should use the video clips and questions as a way to stimulate thinking in their classroom. Teachers' Domain can be used in so many ways, so find your own method in using this effective teaching resource. Play around with the "My Folders" and "My Groups" tools. They're very useful for sharing resources with your students. Also, the online professional development courses can help new teachers can become better educated in specific areas of science.

Contact Ty at: TyR@provo.edu

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Save money when buying full episodes of your favorite PBS shows! Teachers' Domain registered users now receive 10% off Shop WGBH.

To receive discount, enter code WEBTD

We've added new subjects to Teachers' Domain!

Recommend Teachers' Domain

to a friend

Browse our expanded collection of digital resources:

WGBH Teachers' Domain
Online Science Courses for K-12 Teachers!

Online - access anytime, anywhere
Digital media clips from your favorite public television shows: NOVA, ZOOM, Building Big and more!

Standards-based
Graduate credit available
Discussion boards connect you with your colleagues
Trained facilitators lead the way

For information or to enroll in a Teachers' Domain course:

Call Teachers' Domain, (617) 300-3640 and find out how your district can offer a TD course on your own Moodle or Blackboard platform

Visit: http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/ to see TD courses starting in January 2009. Click "Science" in left bar, input your zip code under "Availability" in the left hand column, then click "Scheduled Courses."

Questions? Call (617) 300-3631.

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NSDL / NSTA Web Seminars Present

Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: Physical Science From the Poles

October 29, 2008
6:30 pm to 8:00pm (EST)

The NSDL, in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is offering a series of free online professional development web seminars for K-5 educators. This month, learn about resources that integrate literacy strategies with science related to the polar regions.

Register with NSTA and login on October 29th to meet NSDL experts and teachers from across the country. For more information, or to register click here.

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Selected Partner Organizations:

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