Events and Spotlights
Recurring Events
GTC Green Apple Ceremony
Webster's Dictionary defines "ripe" as:
- fully grown and developed
- having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgement
- fully prepared
The apple has long been a universal symbol for a teacher. As you enter the GTC program and begin your quest for certification, we recognize the fine qualities you possess and honor your accomplishments thus far. We also recognize that before you earn the title of "teacher," you must continue to learn, grow, and mature through real-world classroom experiences. Today we present you with a green apple, acknowledging that you are on your way, but for now, you are not quite "ripe." We commit to assist and guide you through your "ripening" process.
Large group photo of 32 GTC students participating in the Green Apple Ceremony
This video explains the Green Apple Ceremony.
Spotlight on Technology
Spotlight on Technology
GVSU has a strong commitment to training our students on the use of technology in their classrooms. We strive to keep up to date on current trends in Educational Technology and to integrate these new technologies into our classes. In addition to in-class use, we offer special training sessions covering a variety of technologies.
PBS LearningMedia
PBS LearningMedia provides GVSU students and teachers with free unlimited access to educational videos and resources. Teachers can use PBS LearningMedia to assign class projects, have students create interactive digital storyboards, download and share lessons and videos, and identify teaching resources based on content standards. Through GVSU's partnership, West Michigan is in the top 5 users of PBS LearningMedia nationwide.
Smart Board Training
Every year GTC students at Grand Valley are trained in the use of "Interactive White Board" technology, which allow text to appear on multiple classroom screens and devices at the same time. GTC students learn how to integrate this tool into their curriculum to provide interactive materials for their classrooms.
CourseSites
CourseSites is a free, online course tool that provides web-based components for classrooms from Kindergarten through college. GTC student teachers learn how to use this powerful tool as part of their class work.
Ensemble Video
Ensemble provides faculty and students with the ability to record and view course videos in their own time, conduct virtual classroom observations, and add annotations over video. Ensemble integrates with Blackboard to provides a single location for faculty and students to store videos. GVSU was featured in the Ensemble case studies, spotlighting our use of video technology in the classroom.
Blackboard Collaborate
Blackboard Collaborate is a real-time video conferencing tool that lets users add files, share applications, and use a virtual whiteboard to interact with colleagues and students. The GTC program uses this application to conduct weekly online cohort sessions via this virtual classroom.
Swivl Technology
Using Swivl technology, mentors can easily observe and evaluate student teachers in the field in regions beyond Western Michigan.