NUO Conference: Active Learning for All (Making Words)

During the week of March 20th-22nd, 2023 I was at Niagara University in Vaughan attending a teacher conference to help teacher candidates prepare for their careers with guest speakers covering a plethora of topics, and they offered activities to commemorate the end of our program.

I attended Dr. Laura Hermans-Nymark’s seminar on Active Learning for All. She gave us activities we can implement into all subjects that are effective, engaging, and fun for everyone to participate. She began the seminar by asking us to write down our perfect classroom. I found this to be a good minds-on activity for future teachers because I was able to hear how each of our perfect classrooms are similar and different. We played games as a group, and after each game we talked about how each one can be differentiated and applied to different subjects. For example, we played a game called “Weird Words” and we were split up into groups and assigned a Jamboard slide with a word. As a group we had to come up with as many words within that one word that we see. 

This game created a positive learning atmosphere as we all worked as a team to find as many words as we can in a certain time frame. As an aspiring French teacher, I learned how this game can be used in French classrooms to help students gain new vocabulary, and practice pronunciation of words. I am fortunate to have a variety of games to take with me into my practicum and teaching career.

Here are pictures of the Jamboard slides for the game “Weird Words” (This was my favourite game!)

 

 

 

To describe my time this week I would have to say that it was fulfilling. Time flies when you are having fun with people who have a similar passion as you. I am happy I got to see everyone and spend time hearing about their teaching experiences. I remember my very first class at Niagara University and it was over zoom. I thought to myself, “Everyone seems wonderful, I want to meet them in person!”. When we finally got to meet in person it was as though we had known each other for years, and that is when I knew that I had established lifelong friendships.

To end off this blog I would like to say…

Thank you to the staff, my colleagues and everyone at Niagara University.

Congratulations class of 2023! 🎓

Courtesy of Erica@NUO-491