Rebel U 2014: Recap

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This a post in a series about Rebel U 2014.

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This year was our fifth year for Rebel U.  As our district continues to grow and add different technology devices and resources, it is vital that we provide our teachers with relevant professional development that supports the use of technology in their classroom.  Each year, we ask teachers to complete an evaluation at the end of Rebel U.  We use the information gathered from this evaluation to improve weaknesses, continue the areas that were deemed important or positive, and make each event entertaining and filled with relevant learning.

Our theme for this year was "Up, Up, and Away!".  We were excited to celebrate five years of Rebel U, a sustainable technology-focused professional learning day for our staff.  We may be a small district, but there are many great things happening everyday in our classrooms!  


When we plan Rebel U, we understand that each classroom, grade level, subject area, and school look different in our district.  As the Technology & Media Department supports each teacher and student, we try to support everyone's needs to the best of our abilities.  Each teacher (and student) brings a different knowledge base and comfort level when it comes to using and implementing technology and what may work for one classroom, may not be as successful in the classroom across the hall.  Regardless of how it is used, at some point, we had to learn how to use different kinds of technologies.  We wanted to focus on celebrating the successes of technology implementation and be able to share those ideas, resources, and methods with each other.  We heard many comments from teachers about things they learned throughout the day that they couldn't wait to start using in their classroom!

Some of the highlights from this year:

• Location: This year we held Rebel U at the Kent ISD, instead of within the district.  We wanted to provide our staff with a comfortable (and well-air conditioned!) learning environment.  Thank you for being an amazing host to us, Kent ISD!
• Theme: As we had a superhero theme for the day, we asked teachers to wear their favorite superhero shirt or costume.  It was great to see different shirts and everyone having fun!  We also created a wall to celebrate all of the great teachers we have!  We asked K-5 students to write out a response to the question, "I think my teacher is super because..." and 6-12 students filled out an online form.  There were so many cute elementary responses and overall, very thoughtful and heartfelt responses and stories.
  
• Schedule: We had a great line up of teacher presenters, administrators, Kent ISD professionals,  an area superintendent, and GLPS Tech & Media Team members.  To view the agenda as well as session descriptions and presenter handouts, please click here.
• Photo Booth: Back by popular demand, we brought back the photo booth!  We had many teachers stop by during their lunch to have a little fun and a brain break before heading back to their afternoon sessions.  To see pictures from the photo booth, please click here.

Rebel U 2014 (Photo Booth)

• Pre-Rebel U Data: This year we restructured our program a little as well as our evaluation so that it fit with our learning design model.  We were able to capture some great data about the sessions being presented based on teacher selections during their registration, presenter information, data over the past five years about our presenters, as well as general data about our attendees.
• Collaboration Block: In the past, one of the feedback items that we hear from teachers is that they would like to have some time to meet with their team/department/grade level to share what they learned about during the day.  Our teachers talked, and we listened!  We added a structured Collaboration Block at the end of the day that allowed our teachers to discuss what they have learned, collaborate, and plan implementation ideas based on what they learned during the day.
• Twitter & Social Media: We had many of our teachers using Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook throughout the day to share what they were learning.  To see what our teachers were sharing on social media, please click here.
• Swag Bags: We had some great items donated that we were able give away throughout the day to engage our teachers in their learning experiences throughout the day.
  
• More Pictures:  We had a lot of great things going on throughout the day!  To see more pictures from our day, please click here.

Rebel U 2014

• What did our teachers think of Rebel U?

If you wish to keep up with our on-going effort to provide relevant and meaningful professional development for our teachers, please "Like" our Facebook page!