=Online Teaching and Learning =
The graduate students in Dr. Li-Wei Peng’s EDUC 514 Online Teaching and Learning course team-taught synchronous online interactive hands-on TESOL lessons as their final project to 5th graders in Taiwan through Adobe Connect. The graduate students gained a practical opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in online teaching and learning. They also were engaged in developing knowledge and skills in supporting educators, parents, and communities as they meet the challenges of global and foreign language education. Graduate students can extend this reciprocal experience to their own classroom/training — connect learners with individuals and resources around the world; learning is no longer limited to four walls. Special thanks to Dr. Lee and Mrs. Chuang for their coordination and collaboration in Taiwan. We cordially invite you to visit our Website to know more about the Technology Integration emphasis in our Master of Arts in Education program and contact Richard (Rick) West, Director of Graduate Education, at richard.west@westliberty.edu for questions!
=Health and Physical Education Majors Led Physical Activities=
WLU Health and Physical Education majors led 180 students from Wheeling Middle School in a full day of physical activity in the ASRC Arena. Students had their choice to participate in swimming, racquetball, basketball, yoga, walking, or dance in the morning. After lunch in the Rogers Hall cafeteria, students participated in games all afternoon, including Noodle Hockey, human “Hungry, Hungry Hippos,” Kan Jam, Ladder Golf, Cornhole, Sepak Tak-Ra (foot volleyball), Omnikin Ball, and Ultimate Frisbee. WLU faculty and staff members Kathleen Wack, Cathy Monteroso, Melissa Hudson, Ashley Carter, and Debra Dunker coordinated the event with Ohio County Schools Health and Physical Education Teacher Heather Simonetti. Ms. Simonetti stated, “It was an amazing fitness day! Our students absolutely loved it.” “Partnerships like this are a win-win situation,” explained Kathleen Wack. “The university students have the opportunity to put what they have learned into practice. At the same time,
the middle school students have a tangible reward to work toward, learn about the importance of being physically active, and participate in some novel activities that they can’t do at their school. For many of them, this is the first time that they are experiencing the college environment, and we want them to see that as a realistic goal for the future. Most of all though, they have fun being active!” To sum it up, WMS teacher Charla Franke said, “It was a great day, and so much fun for the students and teachers. I enjoyed the day and the WLU instructors were great.”
=Discrete Trial Training in Autism II=
Nicole Davis, Instructor of Early/Special Education, introduced the Discrete Trial Training (DTT) to her students in SPED 402 Autism II: Assessment and Intervention. DTT is one of the most important instructional methods providing intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. Instead of teaching an entire skill at once, students learn how to break down and build up a skill using discrete trials that teach each step one at a time.
=Professional Development Opportunities: Instructional App Workshops=
The Technology Teaching Assistant Program at the College of Education offered Kinesology in Athletic Training and Special Education instructional app workshops to all campus community members. The apps introduced in the workshops included:
- Visual Anatomy Lite
- Pocket Anatomy
- 3D Yoga Anatomy Lite
- My Incredible Body – Guild to Learn about the Human Body for Children
- Human Kinetics Now
- Coach’s Eye
- Nearpod
- News-2-You
- Tom Taps Speak – AAC for Kids
- Charades
- Marlee Signs
- Picture the Sentence
- Dr. Gary Brown’s Autism/DTT Apps
Special thanks to Herb Minch, Instructor of Athletic Training, Sarah Schimmel, Assistant Professor of Special Education, Dr. Li-Wei Peng, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology, and Christy Cianelli, Technology Teaching Assistant for their support with the workshops. “The use of technology to allows individuals to communicate is priceless. This workshop helped the students learn many free and paid apps they can use in their professions”, stated Schimmel.
=New Athletic Training Education Room=
Check out our new Athletic Training education room!! This room serves an academic and clinic purpose for student athletes and students in the academic AT program. Athletic Training is a stand-alone, four-year undergraduate program and major at West Liberty University. Upon graduation, certified athletic trainers practice in a variety of settings. Certified athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. As part of a complete health-care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches, and parents. Please contact Dr. David Hanna, Director of Athletic Training Program, at david.hanna@westliberty.edu or visit our Website for more information.
=Updates on Field Experience Placement Webpage=
The Teacher Education Program at the College of Education has updated its Field Experience Placement Webpage. Student teachers or local school teachers can find information, including our policy manual, program overview, handbooks, background check procedure, time sheets, and school delay/cancellation alerts from this resources-based site. For inquiry, please contact Margy Bungard, Field Experience Coordinator, at mbungard@westliberty.edu.
=hAPPy Friday Tools/Apps Learning=
Tumble Book Library is not an app, but an online collection of animated e-books. The Library’s collections include licensed titles from children’s book publishers, such as Simon & Schuster, Chronicle Books, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge Press, Walker & Company, Annick Press, Orca Books, Lerner Books, and HarperCollins Publishers. Teachers have integrated the Library’s e-books into a reading program that can be worked on independently by each student or by the whole class. Parents can access the Tumble Book collections through a library website (e.g., Ohio County Public Library). Please watch a brief Introductory Video about the Tumble Books and Tumble Book Cloud Junior. Special thanks to Dr. Judy Stechly, Professor of Elementary Education, for sharing the great resource!