K-12 Educators Institute - Starter Ideas
Current Issues in your Field of Expertise - Many teachers are looking for new and creative ways to show students how subjects like art, English, history, counseling, psychology and biology, to name a few, have applications in their daily lives. Or consider a new teaching method for your field of study. There are numerous ways that your ideas at the university level could help teachers keep the classroom fresh and exciting for students.
Customize Current Classes - Are you teaching a course on a current issue in your major (e.g., diversity, ethical issues, etc.)? Consider changing the course slightly for the audience of educators and you could have a real winner on your hands!
Transferrable Activities - What activities can you provide to teachers that they could easily transfer to their classrooms? Consider a workshop in which you convey these activities to teachers, and in which they practice the activities in preparation to adapt them for use in their own classrooms.
Interdisciplinary Topics - What topics lend themselves to an interdisciplinary approach, combining skills and knowledge from more than one content area? For example, how might K-12 educators combine the teaching of mathematical skills and scientific content, or the teaching of Pennsylvania history through art and literature. Consider working with a colleague from another department to develop such a course.
Institute Within the Institute - Teachers can broaden their content base by taking 2-3 content course in a single summer. What sets of related topics and/or courses exist in your department, or what sets might easily be developed? Consider working with 1-2 other faculty in your department to teach a set of related courses.
Classroom Technology - How can a teacher use technology to teach math, English, biology, etc.? Teachers are exposed to new technology every year. Now demonstrate how they can use this hardware and software to help educate their students.