Dr. Don Leisey speaks at WCU graduation
On Sunday December 18, founding 3E Advisory Council member, Dr. Don Leisey, was guest speaker at West Chester University for the undergraduate commencement of the College of Education, the College of Business and Public Affairs, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Don delivered words of reflection, encouragement and inspiration, citing the 3E Institute as a prime example of WCU entrepreneurial spirit. He also encouraged all the new graduates who become teachers to explore the opportunities of the 3E Program. In closing, Don shared his career motto: "DO GOOD! WORK HARD! HAVE FUN! Click here to read Don's entire message to the WCU graduate students.
After a long career in schools, first as a teacher, then a school principal and district superintendant, Don focused on research and encouragement of entrepreneurship in teaching and learning. Today he is co-principal of the research and consulting company, the International Academy for Educational Entrepreneurship. To learn about educators who have built successful businesses based on innovation in learning, visit the website of the International Academy for Educational Entrepreneurship http://www.edentrepreneurs.org/ .
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“Educational Excellence and Entrepreneurship:Two Distinguished Educators”
We met innovative education pioneer Dr. Paul Kelley (left) through Dr. Dennis Cheek (right), educator, editor, global consultant and friend of the 3E Institute. Dr. Kelley is the founder and headmaster of Monkseaton High School in Newcastle, UK, an incubator for applying new learning insights based on solid research to school contexts. Many of Dr. Kelley’s insights and experiences in innovative, research based learning are presented in his highly acclaimed book, Making Minds, Routledge 2008. To read more about the highly innovative Monkseaton High School, visit its web site Monkseaton High School.
Research findings Dr. Kelley has put into practice at Monkseaton include:
· Unconventional testing methods to assess real learning
· Importance of circadian rhythms to learning
· Use of more light to stimulate greater learning
· The critical factor of time – patterns in time and intervals – to learning and remembering
· Optimum age of 7-11 years old for all children to be learning foreign languages
In spring 2010, both Dr. Kelley and Dr. Cheek were given Distinguished Educator 500 awards during the 3E Institute's Business and Educator Leadership Forum at The Union League in Philadelphia. Dr. Kelley could not be there in person, so this award was presented via Skype technology, a first time for the Educator 500.
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Cyber Teaming and Learning In Virtual Worlds
In 2009, the 3E Institute developed and delivered our Cyber teaming Seminar for Life Science Business Professionals and Educators in the 14 county region that was served by the Delaware Valley Innovation Network (DVIN). During that time we partnered with Burlington County Community College, Community College of Philadelphia, Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, Johnson & Johnson, Locus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Right Management, University Science Center, and State Farm Insurance.
As we promised at the conclusion of that project we continue to develop curriculum and instruction in cyber learning techniques, issues and resources.
Thanks to a WCU Technology Beyond Borders grant, we are able to share with you some practical articles, full of tips and useful resources on Cyber Teaming and Learning in Virtual Worlds researched and written for the 3E Institute by Gingi Wingard, an entrepreneurial educator and instructional technology specialist.
To learn more about using virtual worlds to teach and learn, click on these links and let us know what you think about them:
Cyber Teaming In Virtual Worlds
Teaching & Learning on WCUPA Island
Best Practices
Resources
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3E Goes Global – The China Connection
On October 5, 2010 the 3E Institute hosted a visit from Eddy Tang, a consultant for the Department of Education of Hebei Province, China. We were introduced to Mr. Tang through a mutual educational partner and recipient of the 3E Distinguished Educator 500 Award, Dr. Paul Kelley of the Innovation Trust of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Tang visited our region to explore the level of interest in the teaching of Chinese language and culture in K-12 schools in Southeastern Pennsylvania. He met with representatives of West Chester’s College of Education, the International Studies Program, and guests from public school districts. He also visited schools in the area where Mandarin Chinese language is taught. Mr. Tang was impressed with the teaching of Chinese where he visited and with his visit at the 3E Institute.