Take advantage of your trip to Kansas City and arrive early for one of the optional workshops preceding the general conference. These events are sponsored by the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD), whose professional staff will offer sessions on the following topics.

Contextual Learning, Applied Academics,
and Tech Prep
This workshop is designed for high school teachers new to applied academics courses, science and mathematics educators wanting to learn more about contextual learning and applied academics, and Tech Prep coordinators looking for an overview of the relationship between contextual learning, applied academics, and Tech Prep. The workshop will be highly interactive, involving a learning style inventory test, hands-on laboratories in math and science, and the "ABCs" of contextual learning.
*Limited to 60 participants

Creating the New Tech Prep Curriculum
This workshop will provide participants with instruction and experiential practice in developing a Tech Prep curriculum based on national, state, and local standards. Primary tools used will be Integrated Curriculum Standards (ICS), which incorporate the substance of chosen academic, occupational, and employability standards. Using ICSs, participants will engage in the use of systematic approaches to building or revising curricula that incorporate the successful concepts of Tech Prep. These approaches include secondary/postsecondary connections, academic/vocational integration, use of contextual instruction and materials, and application of cooperative and work-based learning. Student assessment methods will be linked to the standards. Workshop participants will examine and practice:
     • Using standards as a basis for integrated curriculum
           design and revision
     • Developing project-based learning exercises for students
     • Incorporating work-based learning
     • Developing authentic and embedded assessments
           based on standards

*Limited to 60 participants

Education Reform Through Adult
Workplace Literacy
Community and technical colleges are faced with the challenge to train adult workers to become successful in today’s high performance workplace while addressing the needs of special populations such as the unemployed, welfare-to-work, JTPA program participants, and employees who need enhanced technology skills. This workshop provides postsecondary educators and business partners with the knowledge to help adult learners upgrade skills in mathematics, science, communication, and technology using contextual (real-life) learning methods through a team-driven, project-based, learning-centered curriculum. It will also explore the integration of curriculum standards and share information on adult literacy assessments using prior life skills.
*Limited to 60 participants

Developing Your First
Virtual Learning Environment:
A Step-by-Step Course for School Administrators
Videoconferencing technology opens the door to countless new opportunities for students and educators. This workshop will introduce two-way interactive videoconferencing technology to school administrators. Administrators will review the practical, cost-effective applications of this technology within education, including teacher staff development, and will experience a staff development session presented "virtually." Participants will learn the key factors to consider when selecting videoconferencing equipment, the approximate cost of developing virtual learning environments, and the steps to developing strategic technology plans that meet the needs of their institutions.
*Limited to 60 participants

Integrating Learning Technology
In a hands-on, participatory environment, attendees will learn to use a variety of technology tools to complete an interdisciplinary project. Tools/programs include a digital camera, the Internet, PowerPoint™ (presentation software), HotDog Express™ (a web page builder), and Webwhacker™ (a program that allows teachers to give students access to web sites without giving full access to the Internet). Attendees will plan and coordinate their work in small groups but will work individually on computers. Technology, curriculum, and teaching methods associated with project-based learning will be linked in a meaningful way throughout this action-packed day of learning.
*Limited to 30 participants

Treasure Hunting on the Internet
Go treasure hunting on the Internet! You’ll learn how to search the Internet effectively to find educationally rich sites. You’ll learn to distinguish the sites that give you "fool’s gold" from those that bring you true treasure: well-researched, accurate information. You’ll learn how to bookmark and organize bookmarked sites for quick retrieval of your treasure when you need it. Other workshop topics are how to locate, save, and insert graphic, audio, and text into Microsoft Word™ and PowerPoint™ documents; how to download and install software demos; and how to find, "subscribe," and "unsubscribe" to listservs. Each participant will take home an electronic treasure map: a customized PowerPoint™ presentation to guide him or her in future voyages on the Internet.
*Limited to 30 participants

Note: Registration for the optional workshops will be held October 28 at the Kansas City Convention Center. Workshop reservations must be made in advance.

——————————