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Supporting Technology Training for Educators

Supporting Technology Training for Educators

Kyla Jacquez

Digital Marketing Manager • National Geographic Learning | Cengage

As educators prepare to send students home for the holiday season and end a successful semester, they are also preparing for a strong start in the New Year. As schools have transitioned between remote, hybrid, and in-person teaching, the use of technology in the classroom continues to grow each year.  

The implementation of teaching and learning technology in the classroom is constantly improving, with the intent of building online learning solutions that allow for a more immersive and holistic student experience  and leaves teachers time to focus on teaching. However, according to a recent EdWeek article, 48% of educators said that training they receive for educational tools was “mediocre or poor”, and that there was “little or no follow-up coaching or training”.

At National Geographic Learning, a part of the Cengage Group, we strive to support teachers in all stages of implementing learning technologies. With our ability to connect to a variety of learning management systems, and our extensive options for online learning platforms, we make sure that we’re not just a vendor but a partner in education. We have various teams dedicated to easing the journey between adopting one of our solutions and effectively using it in the classroom and beyond.  

Our Customer Success Consultants (CSC) are a team trained to set up educators for the successful implementation of our products. The CSC team specializes in in-person or virtual group trainings for adopted National Geographic Learning/Cengage print and digital programs. Training sessions are tailored to customer needs based on the program and integration setup of online learning platforms. Trainers are well-versed in the integration setups that schools utilize most – including Canvas and Google Classroom.  The team has been able to support over 530 training sessions for K-12 educators across the country during the busy back-to-school season from June through September in 2022. We were able to gather feedback from some of those educators below. 

This was great. I liked how Brock took the time to ask us what we wanted from the training and then covered those topics exactly.” 

the pace was perfect (not to fast or too slow), demonstrations were super helpful and so was pausing often to ask us if we had questions. Incredibly professional and I look forward to working with her if I have any questions! 

“Trainer knew her group. She was prepared and gave us the material on what we purchased. She gave direct instruction on what we have. It was not a cookie cutter presentation like so many others. Well appreciated.” 

Lori was extremely knowledgeable and was able to provide answers to specific questions related to the online platform. I appreciate so much that she was able to meet with me individually as I seek to build capacity in our district. Her follow up after the meeting was immediate and addressed everything we discussed during the meeting. Thank you so much! I felt much better equipped to support our teachers following our time together. 

Another resource we offer to customers to support their online learning platform needs is our Digital Success Services (DSS) team. This group of agents are specially prepared to assist teachers after the initial setup or group training with the CSC team. This allows users to dive deeper into our programs and ask questions in a supportive, guided, and customized experience. The DSS team offers virtual 1-on-1 training sessions at the convenience of the teacher or administrator With this easy setup, our team completed over 600 sessions between June and October of this year. Here’s what our learning partners had to say about our DSS team:

Brittany was extremely helpful! So much so that I remember she was my initial trainer last year and it was great to be able to pick up where we left off in terms of what my needs were, how far I got in my learning curve last year, and what I hope to do additionally this year. She tracked well with those needs and had the knowledge to bring up suggestions for me to consider that may benefit me and my students down the road. I am very happy with the training and know I can pursue follow-up any time if needed. 

“Dani is one of the best customer service representatives for ANY company that I have ever encountered. She was professional and patient. Her conversation was helpful and showed respect, helping me with my problem without making me feel inadequate in any way. I am thankful to have talked with her today.” 

“The trainers were pheromonal! Our questions were answered, and the trainers were very patient with us as we clicked our way through their tutorial. Cengage provides awesome personal help for their resources. Keep up the good work!” 

As K12 education continues to evolve and becomes more reliant on online learning technologies, National Geographic Learning will continue to set the bar higher. Supporting customers along their journey with specially prepared CSC and DSS teams, along with an abundance of on-demand online learning resources available through our website makes implementation and online learning platform usage a breeze.  

If you are interested in learning more about a group session with our Customer Success Consultants, please contact your sales representative for more information. Click here to schedule a personalized training session today! Finally, learn more  about our many online learning resources by visiting our website today.

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India_White_2022-12

The Big “E” in the Room

The Big “E” in the Room

What is Equity? How can you implement equitable math practices in the classroom? Join National Geographic Learning as we learn from Dr. India White, Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics Board Member and Access and Equity Chair. Through Dr. White’s research and personal experiences, along with examples from Equity in Action, learn the power of equity and how to implement equitable practices in the math classroom, starting today!

India White, Ed.D.

Big Ideas Learning Author, Teacher of the Year,
Speaker and Consultant

What is Equity? How can you implement equitable math practices in the classroom? Join National Geographic Learning as we learn from Dr. India White, Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics Board Member and Access and Equity Chair. Through Dr. White’s research and personal experiences, along with examples from Equity in Action, learn the power of equity and how to implement equitable practices in the math classroom, starting today!

In this webinar replay, you will learn how to:
Tyson_Brown_2022-1116

Incorporating National Geographic Society Resources into Your Lessons

Incorporating National Geographic Society Resources into Your Lessons

Learn about the National Geographic Society’s abundant educational tools for the pre-K–12 classroom—all available to you free when you’re looking for something special to complement your lessons and teaching strategies. We’ll share how to find thousands of ideas available, ranging from class activities, maps, lessons, articles, photographs, and videos. Content areas include Social Studies, Earth Science, Biology, Geography, Anthropology, and many more.

Tyson Brown

Editorial Director,
National Geographic Society

Learn about the National Geographic Society’s abundant educational tools for the pre-K–12 classroom—all available to you free when you’re looking for something special to complement your lessons and teaching strategies. We’ll share how to find thousands of ideas available, ranging from class activities, maps, lessons, articles, photographs, and videos. Content areas include Social Studies, Earth Science, Biology, Geography, Anthropology, and many more. 

Tyson Brown, Editorial Director at the National Geographic Society, will take you on a tour through National Geographic Society’s Resource Library for discoveries you’ll begin using tomorrow.

In this webinar replay, you will:
Catherine_Quinlan_2022-10

Achieving Equity-Mindedness and Meaningful Inclusion in Biology Lessons

Achieving Equity-Mindedness and Meaningful Inclusion in Biology Lessons


The need for student identification and belonging in the scientific community begins in the biology curriculum. This requires equity-mindedness and meaningful inclusion that supports equitable classroom practices and equity science content and pedagogy. This presentation focus’ on the rationale and benefit to teachers and students for developing equity-mindedness for meaningful inclusion. These lesson ideas and strategies are supported by the 3-dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards.

Dr. Catherine Quinlan

Associate Professor of Science Education
Howard University

The need for student identification and belonging in the scientific community begins in the biology curriculum. This requires equity-mindedness and meaningful inclusion that supports equitable classroom practices and equity science content and pedagogy. This presentation focus’ on the rationale and benefit to teachers and students for developing equity-mindedness for meaningful inclusion. These lesson ideas and strategies are supported by the 3-dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards.

 
In this webinar replay, you will:
Gerver_Sgroi_2022

Making the Case for Teaching Mathematics Using Algebra-Based Financial Applications

Making the Case for Teaching Mathematics Using Algebra-Based Financial Applications

There is an undeniable need for algebra-based, quantitative financial literacy. The goal of this session is to offer teachers a rationale and framework for creating and teaching a quantitative financial literacy high school mathematics course that is applications-oriented, technology-dependent, and suitable for students of all ability levels. Modeling finance using advanced algebra assists students in seeing the relevance of the mathematics they are learning

Richard J. Sgroi, Ph.D.

Author

Robert Gerver, Ph.D.

Author

There is an undeniable need for algebra-based, quantitative financial literacy. The goal of this session is to offer teachers a rationale and framework for creating and teaching a quantitative financial literacy high school mathematics course that is applications-oriented, technology-dependent, and suitable for students of all ability levels. Modeling finance using advanced algebra assists students in seeing the relevance of the mathematics they are learning.
 
In this webinar replay, you will learn:
Bertinos-March_2022

Real World Forensics: How to Identify 9/11 Victims Using STR Profile Analysis

Real World Forensics: How to Identify 9/11 Victims Using STR Profile Analysis

Use inexpensive DNA teaching models to help students understand the structure of DNA, chromosomes, genes, and STRs (Short Tandem Repeats). Engage students through phenomenon-based learning to solve the identity of a 9/11 victim using STR profile analyses of the victim, two young boys, and their mother. Observe how to present the STR profile analysis so that it is easily understood by all students. This activity uses the historical event of the 9/11 attack to integrate biology, history, technology, and math while focusing on a human-interest story.

Anthony “Bud” Bertino
Patricia Nolan Bertino

Trainers, co-authors of
Forensic Science: Fundamentals and Investigations

Use inexpensive DNA teaching models to help students understand the structure of DNA, chromosomes, genes, and STRs (Short Tandem Repeats). Engage students through phenomenon-based learning to solve the identity of a 9/11 victim using STR profile analyses of the victim, two young boys, and their mother. Observe how to present the STR profile analysis so that it is easily understood by all students. This activity uses the historical event of the 9/11 attack to integrate biology, history, technology, and math while focusing on a human-interest story.
 
In this webinar replay, you will:
Chris_Botello_2022-02

The New Adobe Photoshop Revealed

The New Adobe Photoshop Revealed

Chris Botello’s recently published book, Adobe® Photoshop Creative Cloud Revealed, 2nd edition, is packed with cutting-edge photography, creative design, and comprehensive content that engages and equips students with 21st Century skills to help them succeed in today’s emerging careers.

Offering more than just an overview of tips and tricks, Botello, in his passionate and engaging style, will present exercises in his book and demonstrate how to teach them. Viewers will gain valuable insight from the unique perspective of an author, graphic designer, professional Adobe user, and teacher.

Chris Botello

Author of best-selling textbooks on Adobe software, and Graphic Design Teacher at Sierra Canyon School

Chris Botello’s recently published book, Adobe® Photoshop Creative Cloud Revealed, 2nd edition, is packed with cutting-edge photography, creative design, and comprehensive content that engages and equips students with 21st Century skills to help them succeed in today’s emerging careers.
 
Offering more than just an overview of tips and tricks, Botello, in his passionate and engaging style, will present exercises in his book and demonstrate how to teach them. Viewers will gain valuable insight from the unique perspective of an author, graphic designer, professional Adobe user, and teacher.
 
In this webinar replay, you will:
Parkinson_Kingman_Hoffman

Teaching History and Science Using What? Incorporating Artifacts into Your Lessons

Teaching History and Science Using What? Incorporating Artifacts into Your Lessons

Bring the world into your classroom! Join Bill, Mark, and Andrea in this lively session where they’ll explore how to use actual artifacts to teach science and history. The artifacts may be represented in the textbook and digital program you are using or you may have an artifact at home from your travels. Material culture adds a dimension to learning that cannot be replaced by the written word. Let us demonstrate how to teach a lesson with artifacts from afar or from your own community — or your own home.

Dr. William Parkinson

Curator of Anthropology
Field Museum, Chicago, IL
National Geographic Society Grantee

Andrea Kingman

Exec. Product Marketing Manager
National Geographic Learning | Cengage

Mark Hoffman

Senior Product Marketing Manager
National Geographic Learning | Cengage

Bring the world into your classroom! Join Bill, Mark and Andrea in this lively session where they’ll explore how to use actual artifacts to teach science and history. The artifacts may be represented in the textbook and digital program you are using or you may have an artifact at home from your travels. Material culture adds a dimension to learning that cannot be replaced by the written word. Let us demonstrate how to teach a lesson with artifacts from afar or from your own community — or your own home.
 
In this webinar replay, you will leave with these fresh ideas:
Hendrickson_Fileccia

Tips and Tricks to Enhance and Explode your CTE Digital Instruction Toolbox

Tips and Tricks to Enhance and Explode your CTE Digital Instruction Toolbox

Are you a secondary CTE teacher who is looking to incorporate some fresh new projects, tips and tricks, and digital content delivery in your classroom? Or perhaps you want to implement just a few digital content delivery opportunities to freshen up your already robust curriculum. This session provides strategies, lesson ideas, projects, digital tools, and technological approaches for teaching in this digital age in a variety of curriculums. Learn all these great resources and be assured that your digital toolbox will no longer close, as it will be exploding with new resources!

Jason Hendrickson

Business Instructor
J. Everett Light Career Center
MSD Washington Township

Megan Fileccia

Sr. Product Marketing Manager for
Digital Learning Platforms
National Geographic Learning | Cengage

Are you a secondary CTE teacher who is looking to incorporate some fresh new projects, tips and tricks, and digital content delivery in your classroom? Or perhaps you want to implement just a few digital content delivery opportunities to freshen up your already robust curriculum. This session provides strategies, lesson ideas, projects, digital tools, and technological approaches for teaching in this digital age in a variety of curriculums. Learn all these great resources and be assured that your digital toolbox will no longer close, as it will be exploding with new resources!
 
In this webinar replay, you will learn about:
Anusha_Shankar_2021

Collecting Data On Hummingbirds and Myself – Students Can Too!

Collecting Data On Hummingbirds and Myself – Students Can Too!

Anusha Shankar has spent 9 years studying how hummingbirds manage their energy and their time. In the process, she started collecting data on herself – especially her moods and what they were influenced by, and her time and how she allocated it. Anusha thinks collecting information systematically on yourself can give you insight that is difficult to get any other way. And this might be a way students can learn more about themselves and their connection to the world around them! Anusha will share her hummingbird research with students in National Geographic Learning’s upcoming high school Biology program launching in late 2022.

Anusha Shankar

National Geographic Explorer, Rose Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Anusha Shankar has spent 9 years studying how hummingbirds manage their energy and their time. In the process, she started collecting data on herself – especially her moods and what they were influenced by, and her time and how she allocated it. Anusha thinks collecting information systematically on yourself can give you insight that is difficult to get any other way. And this might be a way students can learn more about themselves and their connection to the world around them! Anusha will share her hummingbird research with students in National Geographic Learning’s upcoming high school Biology program launching in late 2022.
 
In this webinar replay, you will: