The Illinois Geographic Alliance and the Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment at Illinois State University are excited to announce the 2017 Geography Education in the 21st Century Conference, a 1-day, drive-in conference for geography educators that includes networking opportunities, a keynote, and a variety of breakout sessions to choose from.
This conference is applicable for a wide range of geography educators including pre-service and in-service elementary school, middle school/junior high, and high school teachers and community college and college/university geography instructors and professors. This conference is a fantastic opportunity for you to network with geography educators from around the state.
Choose the breakout sessions that best fit your needs and interests. Be inspired throughout the day with ideas and resources to implement in your classroom. Conference presenters and breakout sessions are currently being finalized; however, the tentative list includes breakout sessions on the following:
- The New Illinois State Geography Standards
- The Giant Traveling Floor Map of Illinois
- The Online Atlas of Illinois for K-12 Classrooms
- Geographic Thinking
- Using Maps and other Primary Sources in your Classroom (Library of Congress Teaching With Primary Sources Program)
- Technology for Geography Teachers (e.g., GIS, GPS, Google Earth, Apps)
- The Geo-Inquiry Process—Ask, Collect, Visualize, Create, and Act
- Elementary School Geography (K-5)
- Middle School and Jr. High Geography (6-8)
- High School Geography (including AP Human Geography)
- Community College and College/University Geography Instructors and Professors
- Pre-Service Teachers
Receive a bag and fill it with free teacher materials, resources, and maps throughout the conference. In addition, you have a chance to win door prizes!
Professional Development Hours: Professional Development (PD) hours (formerly referred to as CPDUs) will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to in-service K-12 teachers that are members of the Illinois Geographic Alliance. PD Hours evidence of completion forms will be generated through the Illinois Regional Office of Education (ROE) #17 via a request from the Illinois Geographic Alliance. The Illinois Geographic Alliance will pay the fee for each teacher requesting the form. Please be aware that you must participate in the entire conference in order to receive the PD hours.
(To become a member of the Illinois Geographic Alliance simply complete the online membership form available at https://iga.illinoisstate.edu/membership/. There is no cost to become a member.)