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COE Edcamp draws record numbers

More than 160 educators from across southeast Georgia came together for Georgia Southern University College of Education’s (COE) second annual Edcamp event on Saturday, April 22, for a day of educational training and learning experiences.

Edcamps, participant-driven, professional development for K-12 educators, are held worldwide, and COE hosts Edcamp annually at no cost for K-12 education professionals.

Some of this year’s sessions included parent involvement, essay grading, using Flipgrid and video in the classroom, tips for new teachers, Skype in the classroom, robotics and classroom management ideas — all of which were chosen by educators at the event

The structure of Edcamp provides the context to empower and motivate educators to learn and share innovative and beneficial practices for the education field.

“At Edcamp this year, I feel educators gained a sense of professional pride and accomplishment as the event focuses on all teachers having expertise to share,” said COE Assistant Professor Lacey Huffling, Ph.D. “This is often lost in today’s world where teachers are seen in need of professional development, and Edcamp flips this by putting the spotlight on teachers and having them run their own professional development.”

In addition to these interactive sessions, Edcamp attendees also had the opportunity to win numerous giveaways. Items donated for giveaway during the event totaled more than $30,000. Some prizes included document cameras, wireless interactive whiteboard systems, tablet cases, free Science 4 Us subscriptions, complimentary copies of Reflector 2, one-year licenses to Glogster, a free year of EMAZE, a complimentary copy of Camtasia and $200 in gift cards to Amazon.

Edcamp coordinators included Huffling, Associate Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement John Ramfjord and COE Associate Professor Michelle Reidel, Ph.D.

“The second annual Edcamp was a huge success, and people are already registering for our third annual Edcamp which is a year away,” said Huffling.

Reidel thanked participants for the success of the event.

“Our attendance was up over 60 people from last year’s Edcamp, and we had more representation from across southeast Georgia school districts as well,” said Reidel. “Our growth can be attributed to those who attended last year and shared with others their powerful experience and how much they enjoyed Edcamp.”

Attendee Mary Alice posted via Twitter, “I don’t say it lightly that teaching is a hard job. Thank you EdCamp at GS for re-fueling my fire for teaching.”

The 2017 Edcamp ambassador team included: Bilinda Sikes, Effingham County Middle School; Christine Jackson and Paige Sutcliff, Statesboro High School; Hollie Sisk, Portal Middle/High School; Jessica Blanton and Jodie Wallis, Tattnall County High School; Lexi Tanner, South Columbia Elementary School; and Edward Bujak, Westside Pre-Engineering Magnet High School.

The date for the 2018 Edcamp has already be set for April 21. You can reserve your free ticket to the 2018 EdCamp at Georgia Southern by visiting http://edcampgeorgiasouthern.weebly.com/.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 119 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

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