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Participant Quotes
 
"We were expecting to gain a few tidbits on teaching, but we left with strategies that have the potential to change the culture and attitude of our school forever."
...4 Teachers from Brooklyn College Academy, grades 9 - 10

"Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to share in this awesome learning experience."
...Math Teacher, Cape Coral, Florida

"This conference was the best educational experience I've had since I left college. I've been to seminars, clinics, and all kinds of workshops, but this conference was more value than anything I've experienced. In the past week, I reflected more on my teaching practices than I've ever done since I began my career."
...Teacher of Middle School Science, St. Lawrence County, New York

"I was awed by your effort to make each person at the conference feel valued."
...Middle School Teacher, ELA, State of Delaware

"We had an amazing experience at the conference!"
...Social Studies Teachers, New York City, New York

"I want to say how much I enjoyed the week. The level of learning just continues to rise every year!"
...Staff Developer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"Our team became a cohesive group of educators that truly have the kids at heart. We are going to really try to get together on a regular basis to discuss and encourage each other with things learned at this conference."
...Elementary Teacher, St. Lawrence County, New York
Focus Format Participants Family Costs University Credit History E-mail

 
    The Design Conference's....
    HISTORY
      The Design Conference on Teaching and Learning was created in 1995 to teach by doing.

New! Reunion 2008!!

The Constructivist Conference is thrilled to be celebrating a Reunion in July 2008! The first conference was held in 1995 and over the ensuing years has been held 17 times to great accolades for its innovation, productivity and opportunity to network and learn.

This success wouldn't have happened without you, the facilitators, participants, and resource people that have been involved every year. To celebrate and show appreciation to those who have been a part of this success, a reunion is planned for Saturday, July 19 before the 2008 conference. In addition, we will be offering exciting opportunities for you to be involved between now and the Reunion.

Reunion Registration Packages

By December 31, 2007....................$45

After December 31, 2007.................$50

Registration Form

 

Those wishing accommodations can make them at the Best Western at a special reunion rate. For information on booking, contact Don Mesibov at dmesibov@twcny.rr.com

For more information on the Reunion and how to get involved, contact Dick Horwitz at RWHorwitz@verizon.net, or Dona Cruickshank at dona@ontarioeast.net

    The Design Conference on Teaching and Learning grew out of experiences (in the early nineties) with good professional educators who wanted positive change, but didn't know how to bring it about. Even those who wanted constructivist classrooms had never experienced learner-centered strategies (cooperative learning, journal writing, portfolios, rubrics) either as students, in teacher prep programs or with colleagues through their career.
 
  
THE CONFERENCE'S FORMAT MODELS THE STRATEGIES OF A CONSTRUCTIVIST CLASSROOM SO BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT, YOU WILL:
  • Experience learner centered strategies from a student's perspective
  • Complete a task or project that is meaningful to you
  • Identify strategies you can use throughout the year for involving students as active learners
  • Increase your understanding of the concept of constructivism and constructivist strategies
  • Work in a team setting, drawing on team members' strengths and abilities
  • Design rubrics
  • Create portfolios
  • Collaborate in an environment rich with human and technological resources
  • Rely on reflective activities to guide your work
  • Develop a network of contacts and collect a wealth of materials and information
  • Leave with a meaningful and valuable product that you have envisioned, worked on, and are ready to implement in your classroom to impact the quality of instruction and learning in your class and school.
 
      "I am a first year teacher. I have used this week to become familiar with my 7th grade curriculum. I amleaving thisconference with direction, motivation, and great ideas to use in the classroom."
2000 Design Conference Participant