EdCamp to gather teachers at Central

For teachers, learning about new technology for their classrooms isn't always a simple process, but one event this Saturday at Central High School aims to change that.

EdCamp SEMissouri will start at 8 a.m. and run until noon Saturday.

James Russell, technology instructional specialist for the district, said he's excited for the opportunity to bring together hundreds of teachers and technology experts in a one-day event promising fun and learning for teachers.

"EdCamp is an opportunity for teachers to come together and network, talk about topics they want to," Russell said.

Sessions are planned ahead of time, based on feedback from previous attendees, and modeled after a similar event in St. Louis, Russell said.

This event is about giving teachers the freedom to choose their own topics, rather than an administrative-driven slate of activities and sessions, Russell added.

This is the second annual EdCamp event hosted at Cape schools, Russell said, and EdCamps are a worldwide event.

"We're trying new things," Russell said, with 45 new sessions on popular topics including how to incorporate elements of an escape room into classroom learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) maker spaces, and, of course, "anything Google, since Google is such a huge platform being used by different schools across the country."

Adam Welcome, co-author of the book "Kids Deserve It!", will speak at Saturday's event via Google Hangouts, Russell added.

Attendees will be eligible for prizes, too, Russell said.

"We're still open for registration," he said, with more than 200 of about 500 available spaces already spoken for.

Attendance is already double what it was last year, he added.

"It's all about teachers, getting them excited about new ideas in the classroom," Russell said.

More information is online at the event's Facebook page or at edcampsemo.weebly.com. Teacher registration is free.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

1000 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.