Announcing the TeachersFirst 2021 Summer Book Study

Man Reading Book

TeachersFirst is hosting a summer book study again this year, and we’re excited to invite you to actively participate in our professional learning community of educators! Our virtual book study is a great way to try a new type of professional learning that you might not have thought of doing outside of your school. Trying something new is always better with friends, so if you’re thinking about joining the book study this summer, get in touch with some colleagues and invite them to join as well (they can become a TeachersFirst member for free!). Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with other educators, explore new strategies and tech tools, and attend a closing Q&A with author Boni Hamilton!
 

Details

integrating technology book cover The Book: The book we will be reading is Integrating Technology in the Classroom (Second Edition) by Boni Hamilton. This book will help you discover technology tools and projects that resonate with your teaching style, classroom context, and technology skill level. The Source for Learning (our parent nonprofit organization) will reimburse you $20 for the purchase of your book. We are limited to 40 participants, so apply ASAP!

About the book study: Participants will be invited to join our online conversation space hosted in Microsoft Teams. Each week, you will be expected to read a few chapters, join in a conversation about them, and complete required application activities. You can also complete optional application exercises for additional professional development hours. Participants should plan on spending 3 hours a week on the required reading and discussion.

Participant eligibility criteria: TeachersFirst book studies are a member benefit. In order to participate in the book study, you must be a TeachersFirst member. We will accept applications for the book study from June 1–June 28.

Not a TeachersFirst member? Sign up for FREE and get access to member-only PD events, a personalized start page of resources, and a free webpage to organize and share your favorite resources!


SCHEDULE

June 28: Book study application deadline.

July 5: The Summer 2021 TeachersFirst Book Study begins.

July 6: Kick-off webinar at 6 PM ET. We will discuss the organization of the book study and participant expectations.

Throughout July and August: Reading, asynchronous discussion, and application activities will continue a few chapters at a time each week.

August 11: Closing webinar and Q&A with author Boni Hamilton to discuss how our perspectives have changed.

August 20: Formal discussions conclude.


HIGHLIGHTS

  • Join conversations about effective planning for the use of technology in the classroom.
  • Discover ideas and strategies for aligning your use of instructional technology with your curricular goals.
  • Learn ways technology can support your learning goals.

PARTICIPATE!

Book on Kindle
  • Share your thoughts with other book study participants.
  • Return to school in the fall ready to tell colleagues how your participation changed the way you plan technology-integrated lessons.
  • Build your willingness to try a new approach to discovering “what works” for your students.
  • Discover inspirational points from the book that affect your perspective on technology implementation.

EARN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT

Participants who attend the two virtual meetings and complete all of the required readings, discussion, and application activities will receive a certificate for 24 hours of professional development. Throughout the study, participants can earn additional PD credits by completing optional application exercises.

Participation is limited to the first 40 eligible TeachersFirst members living in the United States who apply by June 28, 2021.
 

Looking for more free, high-quality professional development opportunities and lesson ideas? Check out our OK2Ask virtual workshops & the Infusing Technology blog!