DENSI 2018

In July, I had the privilege to attend my second Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute (DENSI) and Leadership Council Pre-conference. 

Over 150 educators, from 7 countries came together to explore resources, tools, and programs focused on leading and supporting teachers, media specialists, and instructional specialists through digital transition and enhancing student learning experiences. 

DENSI is residential-style event where I lead and attended workshops, learned from keynote speakers, the Discovery Education team, and my fellow Discovery Education Community members.

Again this year, I left energized, motivated and full of new ideas (yes, a little exhausted too).  My teaching has been greatly impacted by the amazing educators (#tribe) I spent the week with in Wilmington, North Carolina. 

It was a fantastic investment in my personal and professional growth.  Because of this week, I continue to learn, connect, collaborate, and share resources, ideas, and strategies with and from a community of growth-minded educators from around the world.

My top 20 memories from DENSI 2018 are:

·     Participating in the Leadership Pre-Conference

·     Blue Crew and being able to welcome and meet attendees

·     Leaning all things AI, AR, and VR from Hall Davidson.

·     Spending time learning presentation ideas from high energy Steve Dembo.

·     Working with digital tools to support student learning and creating models for other educators.

·     Sharing Flipgrid strategies.

·     Sharing #Snaps across the Curriculum

·     Exploring how digital media and tools can support differentiated instruction.

·     Exploring Merge Cubes.

·     Visiting the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue Center where we took a behind the scenes tour of the rescue and rehabilitation of sea turtles.

·     Viewing the documentary Straws by Linda Booker followed by a Q&A with Linda!

·     Meeting the team from the Cucalorus film festival & studio for a Media Literacy Audio Workshop and working with team on film editing, sound strategies and techniques that teachers can bring into the classroom as the short films and learning strategies for using film in the classroom.

·     Learning from and presented Googlely Good Stuff with Jenn Hall and Jeremy Badiner

·     Mind-Hive discussions about Problem based learning and forming good questions.

·     Exploring Oppression and Hope

·     DENmazing Race

·     Name that Tune

·     DEN-fit

·     HyperDocs with Dane

·     DEN Celebration

Of course, there are so many more memories!  The week of learning eclipsed the cost of the plane ticket, was worth sprinting through airports, and coming home DEN tired. I so value this learning experience!  Thank you DEN for an amazing week that:  grew my mind, filled my heart and brought JOY to my soul.  I hope to repeat in this experience again next year!