NCTIES2023

We will touch on program features, review the research done by a team of researchers at UNC Chapel Hill, discuss examples of different districts and settings where the program is being used, and allow participates to get up out of their seats and go for a walk to listen to a podcast. Educators will either be able to use a WalkKit audio device that we will provide during the workshop, or they can download our App on their smartphone. Participants will be sent off to listen to a podcast of their choice (about 20 minutes) and will return to the workshop room for a post-walk discussion. We will ask attendees to give some feedback about the podcast they chose to listen to and what the overriding themes, embedded health literacy messages and associated charter values were. We will provide space for everyone to give feedback about this short experience and will discuss the different ways and settings they think walking and learning could be beneficial for their particular students. The Walking Classroom is being used in many different school and OST environments (regular classrooms, special Ed groups, ELL students, high school groups, PBIS initiatives, as a station, as a before school program, etc.) which provides attendees with an opportunity to dig deep and think about how this approach could work for their school. We will also have time to touch on the companion resources (video clips, PowerPoint deck, downloadable worksheet, suggest hands-on activity, virtual field trip) we provide to all our adopters for each podcast. And finally, we will show attendees how to get access to 28 free podcasts, and a complimentary mini Teacher’s Guide that has a complete lesson plan and comprehension quiz for each podcast. Attendees will also get advice on just how to apply for a donated class set on The Walking Classroom website. Ideally, there will be time for Q & A, too.