WCNY produces a conversation about innovation in education

Syracuse NY : “A Conversation about Innovation in Education” is a program fashioned after an interactive town hall-style meeting that explores innovative teaching techniques, best practices, and state of the art classroom settings. New York State Education Department Commissioner, Richard P. Mills, is featured along with a group of Central New York experts who are progressing education to new levels. The show, produced on the campus of Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES, uses a technologically-advanced classroom as its set.

The “conversation”, hosted by Chris Xaver of WCNY, airs Tuesday, December 13 from 8-9 pm on WCNY-TV Channel 24 (Time Warner Channel 11).

According to Sally Terek, Director of Interactive Education at WCNY, “Most educators would agree that learning styles are changing. Technology enables teachers to create a safe learning environment by using innovative teaching techniques to engage and motivate students … and, that is how they learn best.”

Through field-produced videos, and with a live panel of experts that includes students, WCNY takes us on an “Electronic Field Trip” developed by Ball State University (www.bsu.edu). “Furthermore, the merits of EdVideo Online, video-conferencing and postcasting; and the use of smart boards as effective teaching tools when integrated into the classroom with standards-based curriculum; is discussed.” During the program, WCNY takes us on a ‘virtual field trip’ (VFT) to visit an East Syracuse Minoa High School science teacher and her students who demonstrate how she uses technology in the classroom everyday. “For many of us who grew up with chalkboards and erasers, this will be a real eye-opener,” says Terek.

“Innovation can be found in schools throughout Central New York,” says Robert J. Daino, President & CEO of WCNY. “Some of the programs are literally ‘out of this world’.” As part of the “conversation”, WCNY takes us on another VFT to visit a North Syracuse Central School District teacher, a future astronaut, who demonstrates how she incorporates engaging and motivating activities into learning. Another VFT takes us on a visit to a Liverpool Central School District teacher who goes on “special assignment” with his students to a classroom he created on Onondaga Lake where they can engage in learning about Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the environment.

Best practices are also part of the “conversation”. Another VFT visits Syracuse’s Danforth, McKinley-Brighton and Roberts Elementary Schools, where adult mentors of a program called “Peaceful Schools” teach conflict resolution skills, with students taking ownership in the process by serving as mediators.