Shorecrest Faculty Present at State Conference
Source/Author: Rachel Martin, Director of Communications
November 12, 2015
Middle School faculty Chris Scoby (technology), Cindy Williams (art) and Amy Brill (English) presented their iPad Digital Storytelling interdisciplinary project at the annual Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) conference on November 6. The teaching team shared best practices for this cross-curricular, in-depth project that involves using iPads and other hi- and lo-tech tools to bring to life an original story and screenplay. Seventh grade teacher Amy Brill won the Hooker Grant from FCIS for this project in 2014. The grant funded the iPad tripods the students now use to produce their projects.
In addition to the Middle School teaching team, Chris Powers, Shorecrest Director of Online Learning, was also invited to present at the FCIS conference, presenting on Blended and Online Learning in Independent Schools.
The 2015 OESIS Learning Innovation Report indicated that over 40% of independent school across the nation are currently implementing blended and online learning programs. Mr. Powers discussed some best practices for an independent school to evaluate how blended and online learning will impact their campus. Independent schools need to be certain that incorporating online courses and blended learning will enhance overall curriculum, support strategic initiatives, and perhaps even differentiate their students’ college applications.
As a real-world example, Chris showed how Shorecrest has approached expanding the Upper School curriculum by collaborating with The Hybrid Learning Consortium to create curated online courses, supporting teachers with blended learning in brick and mortar classes, and finding advanced courses through online providers.
