Conferences
are generally not “fun” per se; it’s not their purpose to entertain you. The
purpose of these types of conferences is to educate, and in that regard, the
Pacific AP Institute was perfect.
are generally not “fun” per se; it’s not their purpose to entertain you. The
purpose of these types of conferences is to educate, and in that regard, the
Pacific AP Institute was perfect.
I’d taught
Honors Statistics in prior years. The class was designed in such a way that
those wanting to take the AP test would be prepared, but those without interest
in taking it could choose that route. I generally taught with the style of,
“…if you plan on taking the AP test, this is something you need to know and be
able to do. If not, don’t worry too much about it…”
Honors Statistics in prior years. The class was designed in such a way that
those wanting to take the AP test would be prepared, but those without interest
in taking it could choose that route. I generally taught with the style of,
“…if you plan on taking the AP test, this is something you need to know and be
able to do. If not, don’t worry too much about it…”
Teaching an
AP class, where the vast majority of students would be taking it, was a little
intimidating. I constantly wondered if I was teaching something in a different
way than the test would expect, that I was forgetting anything minor, or if the
AP test had somehow evolved throughout the years in a way that my expectations
were now just out of date. I was trying to hold myself to a standard that I
didn’t have a full grasp of.
AP class, where the vast majority of students would be taking it, was a little
intimidating. I constantly wondered if I was teaching something in a different
way than the test would expect, that I was forgetting anything minor, or if the
AP test had somehow evolved throughout the years in a way that my expectations
were now just out of date. I was trying to hold myself to a standard that I
didn’t have a full grasp of.
Enter: the
Pacific AP Institute.
Pacific AP Institute.
Not that it
was my choice to attend, but I’m extremely grateful I was given the
opportunity. The Statistics section of the conference was led by Josh Tabor; a
name I somehow recognized. I soon came to find out he was one of the main
authors of the new book I had been recently told I was using. In addition, he
was both a leader of the AP Readers that graded the tests every year, as well
as on the committee of those who write new questions from year to year. How
lucky can one guy be?
was my choice to attend, but I’m extremely grateful I was given the
opportunity. The Statistics section of the conference was led by Josh Tabor; a
name I somehow recognized. I soon came to find out he was one of the main
authors of the new book I had been recently told I was using. In addition, he
was both a leader of the AP Readers that graded the tests every year, as well
as on the committee of those who write new questions from year to year. How
lucky can one guy be?
The
conference was everything I wanted; a practical look at what was on the AP test
and how it was reflected in the new book. He gave us extensive looks at what
questions looked like, how they were graded, and examples he/others wrote into
the book to give students similar practice. Josh gave us his class notes, tests,
and project ideas. What had been, in my mind, an empty field where a course
needed to be developed by me, was now a fully furnished house, ready for me to
customize it to my style and preferences.
conference was everything I wanted; a practical look at what was on the AP test
and how it was reflected in the new book. He gave us extensive looks at what
questions looked like, how they were graded, and examples he/others wrote into
the book to give students similar practice. Josh gave us his class notes, tests,
and project ideas. What had been, in my mind, an empty field where a course
needed to be developed by me, was now a fully furnished house, ready for me to
customize it to my style and preferences.
I left with
tools to consider like http://rossmanchance.com/applets/, https://www.statcrunch.com/, and
the Fathom program. I left with a preview of the AP Classroom site that would
soon be released (to be discussed in a later blog!). But most significantly, I
left with confidence (as well as a couple massive material-filled binders and
teachers’ editions of books I both was and wasn’t using).
tools to consider like http://rossmanchance.com/applets/, https://www.statcrunch.com/, and
the Fathom program. I left with a preview of the AP Classroom site that would
soon be released (to be discussed in a later blog!). But most significantly, I
left with confidence (as well as a couple massive material-filled binders and
teachers’ editions of books I both was and wasn’t using).
I’m very
thankful that Lesley had me attend, and I thoroughly suggest a conference like
this to anyone who will be, or currently is, teaching an AP class.
thankful that Lesley had me attend, and I thoroughly suggest a conference like
this to anyone who will be, or currently is, teaching an AP class.
I have learned a lot from attending the Pacific AP Institute for AP Calculus AB. Getting insights from someone has not only been an AP reader for many years but was also involved in writing the exam is priceless. The additional resources and classroom activities that they provide for you are also so helpful. Finally, the opportunity to network with other teachers of the same course and hear what they are doing in their classrooms is inspiring.
I'm glad you enjoyed attending the AP conference. I'd love to know what resources you received and have implemented and how it has impacted student learning.
Also, I find conferences fun. 🙂
agreed. I have learned a lot at conferences and stealing from Katie's blogs about her conferences, it is hard to pick and choose between all the great things you pick up.