Tanglewood Middle’s Abigail Schiferl Participates in Discovery Education’s Summer Institute
2017 Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute Focuses on Strategies for Creating Authentic Digital Learning Environments
Abigail Schiferl, a sixth grade science teacher at Tanglewood Middle School, recently joined more than 100 fellow educators from around the world for the 2017 DEN Summer Institute (DENSI), an immersive, week-long professional development experience. A global community of education professionals supported by Discovery Education, the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing, and inspiration. The six-day professional learning experience was held in July at the University of California, San Diego, in San Diego, CA.
DENSI 2017 featured a number of interactive seminars and hands-on workshops designed to support educators as they combine the latest technologies and digital content to create authentic digital learning environments that engage students and improve achievement. In addition, DENSI provided an opportunity for participants to connect, collaborate, and share resources, ideas and strategies for integrating the latest technologies and digital content into classroom instruction.
Participation in the DEN Summer Institute is open to educators recognized by Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, as STAR Discovery Educators. STAR Discovery Educators are active members of the DEN and proven leaders in transforming teaching and learning. The DEN is the largest and most active professional learning network of its kind.
“Abigail’s selection for DENSI demonstrates her outstanding leadership and commitment to using the latest technologies and innovative teaching strategies and techniques to improve student achievement,” said Lance Rougeux, vice president of learning communities and innovation for Discovery Education. “Her participation in DENSI 2017 will help increase student engagement across Greenville County and support her district’s effort to prepare all learners with the critical skills they need to succeed beyond the classroom.”
In addition to hearing from education experts, Schiferl participated in a series of interactive workshops led by the Discovery Education professional development team and other DEN members about creating digital content and integrating mobile and web-based tools into instruction. They also collaborated with fellow educators on a variety of educational technology projects, and shared ideas and best practices with their peers.
After participating in the DEN Summer Institute, Schiferl will return to her classroom equipped to help their peers transform teaching and learning with new strategies and techniques for integrating digital resources into curriculum and instruction.