World of Learning Institute

“Oh the Thinks you can Think!” Dr. Suess In the 1970's Ted Geisel, as Dr. Seuss, brought new ideas to the world of beginning reading. At first few people paid attention to his children's books, they were different. Now, his books are as pervasive and ubiquitous in the introduction of reading to young children as the internet is in our everyday lives. When I joined the IU8 to support a World of Learning I had previously worked with Blended Schools as the Language Institute Coordinator. The instruction I observed in the live classroom sessions of our Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Latin and Arabic teachers was engaging, lively and connected. It made me think ! How can we support and apply this amazing, engaging experience to ALL learning and learners? Our first opportunity to expand this concept came at Conemaugh Valley, then Windber Area School District supporting French and Spanish instruction. Taking concepts from Blended Schools Learning Institute we partnered wi...

We are more than just World Languages! Providing PD and resources for teachers can help to expand the vision of your schools and classrooms! Through IU8 World of Learning Network meetings, your teachers can explore resources that are free, and easy to use. With virtual tools and resources teachers can build on their repertoire in a collaborative environment with other curious colleagues. We have resources to share in Core, Elective and World Languages that are flexible enough to work in many platforms or used in the classroom.   2017-18 World of Learning Network Meetings   (See all available dates) Our next meeting: Tuesday, November 21, 2017 Exploring Virtual Resources for Blended Learning Register Here IU8 Executive Office 4500 Sixth Avenue Altoona, PA

"It is never enough, it seems to me, to teach a child mere information." (Eleanor Roosevelt) We just completed a three day learning event at IU8 that we called World of Learning Adventure . Teachers who have been a part of a the World Language Network at IU8 came together to learn about how to use virtual resources with the specific goals of “creating a variety of experiences for learners, exploring ways to engage learners, finding and sharing new resources, and to learn from each other.” We didn’t just talk about the content, we talked about really connecting with learners, going 'beyond information". It was awesome! It was aptly called an Adventure and was a good way to describe the journey we took. The intensity that the teachers brought to this experience set the stage for a great three days. We began by introducing and expanded learning ecosystem that is at the center of Mass Customized Learning (Schwann and McGarvey). We explored Open Educational Reso...

Dr. Pat Mulroy, Appalachia IU8 May 30, 2017 Have you ever wondered how we learned to fly airplanes or cure diseases? Have you watched movies about people who figured out how to break codes and create computers? Amazing! The ideas of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have changed the way we live, work and communicate. Who dreamt of the internet? Cars? Refrigeration? So many of the miracles of modern medicine? Have you ever wondered why we can’t solve some problems - or haven’t yet? Who will be the trailblazers' the future? How will we support them? So many people told inventors and dreamers that their task was impossible! I was that teacher once. I hope only once! The learner came back to me later in the year - proud to prove me wrong. I am thankful my words did not make that learner give up. Who believes that we will stand still? That cars won’t fly or the problems of world hunger can’t be solved? I hope not Educators. Or Parents or Politicians or Business Leaders! Last yea...

If you are anything like most of us, when you check your inbox each morning you are faced with a variety of notifications. Today was no different for me, and I spent the early morning perusing publications that give inspiration and advice on tuning into learning that empowers learners, their teachers and administrators. Sometimes it is so overwhelming that I just close the tabs and set myself into the task I have at hand. Today though, I was drawn in by the article Moonshots in Education - Tom Vander Ark lists the things he thinks will have a big impact on how we all learn. Moonshots are super ambitious undertakings, big ideas, beyond most people's imagination. As I read about his “Moonshots” I realized that is what we are doing - as a team here at IU8. The idea is not unattainable. Yet, there is no we we can try to go it alone! I was particularly reminded of the collaboration of IU8 districts as we have implemented the Valley Network, Open Campus, the MCL Consortium and th...

White Paper - Solutions for Virtual Learning for World Languages Anytime-Anywhere Patricia Mulroy, Ed. D. February 2017 When faced with the question, ‘How do we provide high quality world language instruction for all children who need/want the experience,” how do you and your team answer? At IU 8, we answer, World of Learning! The World of Learning provides a vast array of options for schools and districts to deliver live, virtual World Language Instruction. Whether you need a single enrollment or full scale support, IU8 and the World of Learning can help with solutions. Who are we? The IU8 World of Learning is a team of people who are passionate about creating meaningful World Language learning experiences. Most of our teachers are native speakers and have lived in the culture and learned in the language they teach! Additionally, most of our teachers have earned an M.Ed. or other graduate credential in the target language or education. Our tea...