The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching has a special professional development program coming to the Cullowhee campus on May 17th.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have become hot topics in schools. With the use of Google Expeditions, students can travel to almost anywhere in the world within seconds. Science and social studies standards then come to life because students are immersed in different situations, locations, and cultures. Students are more engaged and exhibit deeper thinking as they ask complicated questions about what they are experiencing. Using an AR app, students can transpose virtual objects into the real world, allowing them to “hold” objects like a human heart while learning about the different parts and functions. Although seeing through VR goggles and holding AR objects are amazing opportunities, many students are ready for the next step: creation. Come learn how to not only integrate VR and AR into your standards but also how to move your students to the next step of creating their own Mixed Reality (MR).
The Focus Friday programs offer teachers the opportunity to look into a variety of topics while at NCCAT, a recognized national leader in professional development programming for teachers, for a day. Come be a part of NCCAT’s daylong professional development session. Breakfast and lunch is included. A limited number of rooms are available if you need to arrive the night before. The programs will be at the NCCAT Cullowhee campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The course will be led by Darcy Grimes, NCCAT Senior STEM Innovator. Ms. Grimes joined the NCCAT faculty after a highly successful teaching career which includes serving as North Carolina Teacher of the Year in 2012–13. Grimes has taught in Asheville City Schools, Watauga and Wilkes County Schools. She is the NCTIES Outstanding Young Educator Award Recipient 2018, Northwest Regional NC Teacher of the Year 2012, Watauga County Teacher of the Year 2012, and Bethel Elementary School Teacher of the Year 2012. Grimes most recently served as the Digital Lead Teacher at Hall Fletcher Elementary in Asheville City Schools. She holds a Master's degree in Educational Media/ Instructional Technology from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University. She has attended and presented at NCCAT for several years, most recently leading the programs “Teaching Generation Z: Active and Digital Learning” and “Integrating Coding Skills into your Classroom.”