Co-trainer Webinar

Co-trainer Webinar Environment and Curriculum with a Focus on Learning Environments: A return to Nature may 23, 2013

Agenda • Welcome • Discuss Importance of Webinars • Introduce Core Body of Knowledge (CBK) • Review Co-trainer guide • Test • Webcast • Address any questions/concerns • Close

Webinars • Tool to better help us work together • There will be a webinar for each VC • Typically Tuesday before VC from 1-2 PM • Time to review Co-trainer guide, activity sessions, and additional information • Questions and concerns can be submitted and addressed

Core Body of Knowledge (CBK)New York State’s Core Competencies for Early Childhood Education • Outlines recommended practices for professionals who work with young children • Intended for child care providers to use as a tool for self-reflection to help them plan professional development and work toward improving the quality of care they provide. • Core Competency Areas: • Child Growth and Development • Family and Community Relationships • Observation and Assessment • Environment and Curriculum • Health, Safety, and Nutrition • Professionalism and Leadership* • Administration and Management • http://www.earlychildhood.org/pdfs/corebody.pdf

VC Overview • Moderator: • Christine Conboy • Live Guests: • Rusty Keeler Mr. Keeler isan artist/designer with a unique sensitivity to the sights, sounds and experiences of childhood. He has a deep belief in the beauty and importance of play in the development of children and his designs reflect his sincere desire to create a more beautiful world in which to grow and explore. Rusty works throughout the world creating play environments for children and lectures at colleges and conferences internationally. He is the author of the book Natural Playscapes.

Overview continued • Live Guests continued: • Mary Rivkin, PhD Ms. Rivkin is an author and coordinator of the Early Childhood Education program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore county. She teaches courses in child development and curriculum, math, and science processes as well as designing outdoor play spaces. Her research interests include outdoor play, environmental education and community organization.

Segment 1-Core Body of Knowledge (CBK) and Effects of Environments This segment will focus on: • introducing The Core Body of Knowledge: New York State’s Core Competencies for Early Childhood Educators; • describing the Core Competency Area of Environment and Curriculum; and • identifying the effects of an environment on children’s development.

Activity Session- Environmental Factors • Begin by reading the activities listed on the activity sheet. • Consider the factors described. • Explain how they feel during each of the activities with the related factors. • Consider how this relates to children’s environments and feelings. • As a group, discuss.

Segment 2 – Learning Environments This segment will focus on: • explaining how to create a safe, stimulating environment for the children; and • listing the elements needed for learning environments including space, furnishings and materials.

Activity Session-Your Program Space • Begin by drawing a picture of your current child care space on your activity sheet; • Then write a list of materials that you currently have in your program. • Next draw another picture of your space, this time use the furnishings you have to rearrange the space. • Then write a list of additional materials you might include in your program. Don’t forget to add some natural materials. • As a group, review your ideas if time permits.

Segment 3 – Natural Environments This segment will focus on: • discussing how to create a natural environment for children; • identifying the benefits of connecting with nature; • sharing some natural environments through video.

Test • Test is “open book” so it should be given out at the beginning of the training and can be filled out as the training takes place. • Test will be read aloud twice at the end of the training. • Participants must score 70% or higher on the test to receive training credit. • Attestation statement must be signed in order to receive credit for the training.

Other Important Information • Be sure to review all policies and procedures in the Co-trainer guide.

Webcast • In an effort to provide high quality training the 2013 VC series will be brought to you via internet webcasting as opposed to satellite broadcasting. • Satellite equipment will NO longer be needed or operational. • You WILL need ONE of the following: • A computer with access to the internet, a projector and speakers; or • An HDTV that can be hooked up to a computer with internet access; or • A smart board with internet access.

Preparing Your Computer for Videoconference Webcasting • Update Your Computer A few days before the videoconference webcast, be certain that you have run Windows Updates on your computer. This will reduce the risk of updates running on your computer during the video conference. If you’re uncertain how to run Windows Updates, please follow the instructions at the following link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/windows-update • Update Other Common Software Programs Many commonly installed programs, such as Adobe Reader, Flash and Java, also regularly check for updates and will prompt you to run them when the computer is turned on. Run these updates if prompted after running the Windows updates in Step 1. • Check Screen Savers and Power Options Some computers, particularly laptops, will be configured to display a screen saver or to turn off the monitor after a certain period of inactivity. During video conferences screen savers should be turned off and power options should be set to allow the machine to run continuously. For details on how to check these options, please see the links below: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/turn-your-screen-saver-on-or-off http://www.repeatsoftware.com/help/DisableWindowsScreenSaver.htm

Preparing Your Computer for Videoconference Webcasting-Continued • Logon Information If your computer requires a logon, please be certain to have the username and password available during the videoconference webcast. This will allow you to log back into the computer if required. • Testing Sessions At least one test session will be offered before the date of the videoconference webcast. Even if you have tested your equipment before, it is always a good idea to log in during these sessions to confirm that your computer and Internet connection are working properly prior to the broadcast. • Getting Help If you are having problems preparing your computer for use during a videoconference webcast, please feel free to contact us at asarnoff@albany.edu for help or further information.

Webcast: Testing • By now everyone should have tested their webcasting capabilities and reported back to Allison Sarnoff via email. • If you have NOT tested your webcasting capabilities please email Allison Sarnoff at asarnoff@albany.edu or call 518-320-3722 today and we will provide you with a final testing opportunity.

Webcast: Night Of • For the night of the broadcast you will need to use a link which will be sent to you via email from Allison Sarnoff closer to the broadcast date. • Please note: This link will not be live until 6:15PM the night of the training, May 23, 2013. • If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Allison Sarnoff at 518-320-3722.

Questions? Concerns?

Thanks Thank you for joining us for this webinar and for doing so much to make the Videoconference Trainings a success!

Co-trainer Webinar