Redbird Educator Series
The Redbird Educator Series, hosted by the Borg Center at Illinois State University, features College of Education faculty in one-hour virtual professional development sessions designed for PK-12 teachers. In this series, faculty share their research and evidence-based practices on relevant topics in education. Join us for each session or choose the ones that are most relevant to you. Each session is free and you could earn one PD credit.
Fall 2021 Schedule
Wednesday, August 25 at 4 p.m.
Toward more humanizing learning with digital technologies
Dr. Anna Smith, Associate Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
In this interactive session, we will breakdown three counterproductive myths about young people and their digital practices, try on two alternative metaphors of learning development, and consider one shift we could strive for to make our teaching with technologies more humanizing. Throughout the session, we will see and try out a number of digital tools and each participant will have time to pick one tool to test and imagine how it might be used in their teaching.
Thursday, September 30 at 4 p.m.
Writer's workshop: Supporting differentiated instruction in the K-5 classroom
Dr. Antonio Causarano, Associate Professor, Department of Special Education
The webinar will present the theory and application of how to use writer's workshop to design and develop differentiated instruction in K-5 classroom for students who are culturally and linguistically diverse and with special needs. The importance of differentiated instruction via writer's workshop will be presented in its design and application in the classroom.
Wednesday, October 27 at 4 p.m.
Learning to linger: What picturebook design can teach teachers about lingering in texts with children
Dr. Christie Angleton, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
Endpapers. Publishing information. Dust jacket. What on earth do these things have to do with a read aloud? Known as peritext, calling attention to these elements has the power to transform a typical classroom read aloud. In this webinar, I will guide participants through the features of picturebook design, from the front cover to the barcode on the back - and everything in between. In studying and pondering these peritextual elements of books, children make deep connections, consider new ways of taking up literature, and deepen their meaning-making when transacting with texts. Participants will be invited to explore their favorite picturebook in a whole new way. All participants are encouraged to bring a picturebook (preferably hard cover, but not required!) to explore during the webinar.
Wednesday, November 3 at 4 p.m
Towards a Critical Approach: A Tool to Analyze and Transform Writing Pedagogy
Dr. Grace Kang and Dr. Sonia Kline, Associate Professors, School of Teaching and Learning
In this session we introduce a tool that synthesizes writing theory, research, and practice. Specifically, the tool highlights three theoretical orientations (cognitive, sociocultural, and critical) across multiple dimensions (genre; grammar and language; technology and digital media; audience, agency, and participation). We offer this tool as a guide to facilitate educators’ ongoing inquiry of writing pedagogy and to support educators to move towards critical approaches that decenter Whiteness, unpack issues of power, and position students as inquirers and advocates in the writing classroom and beyond. Participants will consider: What does writing instruction look like in your classroom/school? Then, we will present the tool and participants will be encouraged to highlight the parts that most closely align with their classroom practices. As we describe the various components, we will engage the audience in reflection and redesign of their current writing pedagogy. Then we will provide a series of invitations designed to disrupt narrow approaches to writing and to broaden critical awareness. These invitations will center around the five dimensions of the framework: genre; grammar and language; technology and digital media; audience, and agency, and participation. Each invitation will illuminate specific pathways to teaching from a critical perspective.
Spring 2021 Schedule
Thursday, January 28 at 4 p.m.
Teaching in the times of COVID-19, racial injustice, and inequities
Shamaine Bertrand, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Thursday, February 25 at 4 p.m.
What's the word? Using explicit vocabulary instruction to support all learners
Kate Peeples, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Session Handout
Wednesday, April 21 at 4 p.m.
Towards engaging and relevant disciplinary literacy
Erin Quast, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Fall 2020 Schedule
Wednesday, September 23 at 4 p.m.
Building anti-racist educators through embodied contemplative practices
Becky Beucher, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Session Resources
Thursday, October 8 at 4 p.m.
Inclusive mathematics: e-learning methods and routines that promote mathematical thinking
Tara Kaczorowski, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Session Resources
Tuesday, October 27 at 4 p.m.
Rethinking the role of knowledge in the literacy classroom
Courtney Hattan, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION