Teachers and Site Staff - Ideas for Collaborating
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The document discusses collaborative strategies between teachers and informal educators to enhance experiential learning for students beyond traditional field trips. Key suggestions include flexible planning, creating pre- and post-visit materials, and integrating curriculum connections. Effective collaboration expands learning opportunities, introduces diverse perspectives, and fosters a love for learning.
Teachers and Site Staff - Ideas for Collaborating
- 1. Teachers and site staff – Ideas for collaborating At THV’s 2009 institute more than 100 teachers EDUCATORS and staff from museums, historic sites, and parks discussed working together in ways that go beyond field trips. Here are some ideas they Develop consistency so we know what to had for making the most of their collaborations. expect. Be flexible so you can respond to teachers’ INFORMAL EDUCATORS TO needs, e.g., grade, discipline, special needs. TEACHERS Help students ask meaningful questions by Prepare students and create a context sharing what you and your staff ask about your for the visit. Use pre- and post-visit place and collections. materials including evaluations to extend student learning. Tie programming to curriculum in creative ways. Surprise us. Integrate site experiences across disciplines. Consider sharing more than exhibits. Physical place Aim to make experiential learning an Content and subject matter ongoing feature of your classroom. We Animals and plants can help. Artifacts How you work Treat site visits as major learning Equipment opportunities not treats or rewards. Knowledge, expertise, and point-of-view of your staff and volunteers Continue, repeat, and extend experiences. For instance, use technology Extend the experience by sharing technology or do site activities at school, e.g., test resources, documents, oral histories, etc. water from a stream on school grounds, bring site staff to school, do journaling in Visit schools -- bring or loan documents, the school yard instead of at desks. objects, artifacts, equipment, etc. (Continues on back) TEACHERS TO INFORMAL 4097 Albany Post Rd | Hyde Park 12538 | 845-229-9116, ext. 2035 | info@teachingthehudsonvalley.org | www.teachingthehudsonvalley.org THV is a program of Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Greenway Conservancy | Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, National Park Service | Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation | Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College
- 2. VALUE ADDED BY EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION WAYS TO IMPROVE COLLABORATION Makes education more meaningful. When students handle, measure, or experience actual objects and Share your context and passion phenomena, learning becomes experiential/hands- and try to understand that of your on/authentic/inquiry-based and rooted in real-world collaborator. understandings. Communicate before and after Expands students’ capacity to make cogent arguments, the visit. connections, and observations; to ask questions and experiment; to use the scientific method; to engage in analytic thinking; and to experience awe and wonder. • Discuss context, curriculum connections, and standards. Exposes students to a broader range of styles and can make it easier to address different kinds of learners. • Agree on expectations, e.g., pre- and post-visit activities, Introduces students to more types of expertise along evaluations, and/or surveys. with a wider range of facilities, resources, and equipment. • Encourage students to Opens new career possibilities for students because they communicate directly with see people doing other kinds of work. sites and informal educators. Exposes students to new voices and points of view. • Exchange e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Introduces complex concepts – such as appreciation, preservation, stewardship, community, environmental and • Strive for multiple visits (both historical literacy, and scientific and political awareness – directions) and ongoing and helps to make them concrete. contact. Connects place and community with learning. Respect each other and your missions. Expands students’ boundaries. Identify and strive to meet Supports learning standards because experience builds mutual goals. skills and knowledge. Involve and inform others, e.g., Helps students recognize that learning happens students, parents, and everywhere. administrators. Help your stakeholders understand the Encourages love of learning by showing that it can be fun importance of collaboration with and engaging. others. Changes the way students think about and experience learning especially when teachers discover and learn too. 4097 Albany Post Rd | Hyde Park 12538 | 845-229-9116, ext. 2035 | info@teachingthehudsonvalley.org | www.teachingthehudsonvalley.org THV is a program of Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Greenway Conservancy | Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, National Park Service | Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation | Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College
- 3. Provides vivid references and jumping off points. 4097 Albany Post Rd | Hyde Park 12538 | 845-229-9116, ext. 2035 | info@teachingthehudsonvalley.org | www.teachingthehudsonvalley.org THV is a program of Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Greenway Conservancy | Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, National Park Service | Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation | Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College