Introducing the Rising STAR
2
Introducing the Rising STAR program In May of 2012 the DEN launched a new program called The Rising STAR. Designed to welcome new STARs to the community, the Rising STAR is an optional 3 month program in which participants are grouped into a cadre and led through a series of 6 steps by a DEN mentor. Each step provides an opportunity to build connections with the global community and explore all of the resources Discovery Education has to offer. The steps are completed virtually and asynchronously, providing the opportunity to learn anywhere, anytime. THE SIX STEPS Participants are given approximately 2 weeks to complete each step. As they explore the content, their mentor facilitates a conversation in a private Edmodo group. If you would like to know more about each step, see page 2. We started the Rising STAR in May with 5 mentors and 60 participants. With only a month under our belt, we are already seeing the positive impact this program is having on our newest members. Participants are asked to comment on each step, and below is just a sneak peek of what they had to say. We will start a new wave of Rising STAR participants the beginning of each month. We have 3 mentors and 40 participants signed up for June just in time to kick-off the summer! What are they saying? LAURA MILLER: “The resources that are available from DE and shared through blogs, etc. are fantastic and so very relevant! I look forward to exploring and learning more! Getting acquainted with people from across the country and hearing what is going on in other areas is wonderful.” KRISTEN DINSMORE: “Wow! Such an abundance of resources -- and right at my fingertips. I think the hardest part will be knowing where to look first. Then again, the process tends to lead to untapped areas that then lead to more, and so on. Exciting! I have often felt that districts, schools and sometimes even individual classrooms act as islands. Building our PLN is like building bridges to a limitless world of educators. Even more exciting! Thanks DEN!” THE DEN ISSUE NO. 1 DISCOVERY EDUCATOR NETWORK / SUMMER 2012 ROSEANN BURKLOW: “After going through Step 3, I am even more excited to enrich my curriculum with Science of Everyday Virtual labs, Curiosity in the Classroom, the audio clips, and the Young Scientist Challenge. The more I learn from the experts at Discovery Education the more excited I get. (After 30 years of teaching, too:-)”
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Introducing the Rising STAR program and ways to stay connected to the DEN
Transcript of Introducing the Rising STAR
Introducing the Rising STAR programIn May of 2012 the DEN launched a new program called The Rising STAR. Designed to welcome new STARs to the community, the Rising STAR is an optional 3 month program in which participants are grouped into a cadre and led through a series of 6 steps by a DEN mentor. Each step provides an opportunity to build connections with the global community and explore all of the resources Discovery Education has to offer. The steps are completed virtually and asynchronously, providing the opportunity to learn anywhere, anytime.
THE SIX STEPSParticipants are given approximately 2 weeks to complete each step. As they explore the content, their mentor facilitates a conversation in a private Edmodo group. If you would like to know more about each step, see page 2.
We started the Rising STAR in May with 5 mentors and 60 participants. With only a month under our belt, we are already seeing the positive impact this program is having on our newest members. Participants are asked to comment on each step, and below is
just a sneak peek of what they had to say.
We will start a new wave of Rising STAR participants the beginning of each month. We have 3 mentors and 40 participants signed up for June just in time to kick-off the summer!
What are they saying?
LAURA MILLER:
“The resources that are available from DE and shared through blogs, etc. are fantastic and so very relevant! I look forward to exploring and learning more! Getting acquainted with people from across the country and hearing what is going on in other areas is wonderful.”
KRISTEN DINSMORE:
“Wow! Such an abundance of resources -- and right at my fingertips. I think the hardest part will be knowing where to look first. Then again, the process tends to lead to untapped areas that then lead to more, and so on. Exciting! I have often felt that districts, schools and sometimes even individual classrooms act as islands. Building our PLN is like building bridges to a limitless world of educators. Even more exciting! Thanks DEN!”
THE DEN ISSUE NO. 1
DISCOVERY EDUCATOR NETWORK / SUMMER 2012
ROSEANN BURKLOW:
“After going through Step 3, I am even more excited to enrich my curriculum with Science of Everyday Virtual labs, Curiosity in the Classroom, the audio clips, and the Young Scientist Challenge. The more I learn from the experts at Discovery Education the more excited I get. (After 30 years of teaching, too:-)”
Success comes from thinking big, but acting incrementally
by Ginny WashburneDEN Director
• • •Have you ever been overwhelmed with so many choices you don’t even know where to start? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a mentor to organize your options and provide choices relevant to you? Imagine having a personal fashion stylist with you as you browse through hundreds of isles at T.J. Maxx! (I would prefer Stacy London & Clinton Kelly from TLC’s What Not to Wear.)
The DEN began in 2005 and has flourished into a powerful community with a wealth of information. By providing information in an organized “fashion” (pun intended), the Rising STAR program allows our newest members to explore the DEN without being overwhelmed.
Step 1: Welcome to the DEN! This step is all about getting to know your group and outlining what you want to learn. A kick-off webinar is hosted by the Mentor and an Edmodo group is set up for the cadre.
Step 2: Expanding your PLN. This step will focus on the variety of ways in which new STARs can interact with the DEN. An overview of DE’s Twitter, Facebook,
YouTube and Blogs are just a few of the topics covered.
Step 3: Discovering DE. This step walks participants through some of the most popular resources such as archived webinars, DE Corporate Sponsorship opportunities, Techbook and more.
Step 4: The Collective Brain. Every DEN member has something to share, and this step highlights the resources they have contributed over the years.
Step 5: Jumping into the Conversation. We want to ensure new STARs feel comfortable sharing with the DEN. This step outlines the ways in which they can share content and resources. Sharing is caring!
Step 6: Becoming a DE Champion. This culminating step provides ideas and resources for new STARs to stay active and take it to the next level with opportunities like DENSI.
THE DEN: HOW DO I JOIN IN THE FUN?
Stay Connected! Share your ideas!
What would you like to see in the next DEN Newsletter? Email your suggestions to [email protected]
— Ginny and Jannita
THE DEN SCRAPBOOK
The DEN celebrates Albuquerque Public School educators- April 20th, 2012
Miami Day of Discovery- May 19th, 2012
