Our seventh, and final, workshop session for this year was a new kind of challenge.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we all stayed home and met virtually via Zoom.  All eight regularly participating teachers from the spring were in attendance. 

This workshop was mainly dedicated to individual and small group work on our PuzzleMaps.  Teachers continued to research and create content based upon the themes which they had previously selected.  During last month’s workshop, teachers worked on finding iconic images exemplifying the region/state represented by each puzzle piece and locating data for each of the main information categories.  Tonight, teachers who had completed their clue window work began researching images and websites for point clue creation.  All groups made sure that they had shared their work with Sarah via Google Docs so that she can continue with the puzzle development process over the summer.

Usually, teachers share updates on the creative ways they have been using PuzzleMap in their classrooms.  Tonight, because everyone has been teaching virtually due to school closures, we took a few minutes at the beginning of the workshop to do a check-in.  Teachers shared their experiences and how they have been continuing to hold classes online.  Some teachers are meeting with their students three times a week, via Zoom.  They are also assigning homework via Classroom Dojo and making weekly calls to their students and their families.  They expressed frustration, however, that not all students are able to access the internet or consistently join classes online.  Nonetheless, all of our teachers are doing their best to continue to meet with their students and to deliver instruction online.

Over the summer, Sarah will work with any individuals or groups that might want help in finishing their puzzle content.  Then Sarah and SpherAware will work on adding the teacher's content to their Puzzlemaps so they are ready to use in the fall.  Sarah also invited all teachers to return for one more workshop before the new school year to share the results and to make plans for teaching with PuzzleMap.

Sarah also invited all of the teachers to continue to participate in the geoliteracy study next year.  Year Two will focus on an in-depth classroom investigation of student learning with maps and with PuzzleMap.  Everyone expressed an interest in participating again. 

Working via Zoom...

It's like the "Brady Bunch" squares!