KWCHEA 2011 Conference Sessions
Now that the KWCHEA schedule is up, those of you in or traveling to Kitchener can start to decide which sessions you’d like to attend. Here’s a quick guide to what I’ll be doing to help you make your choice.
Session 1: I have nothing scheduled
Session 2: Learning Styles
This is a new session where we’ll chat a little bit about what goes on during the learning process, and how different types of people might experience the same situation from completely different perspectives. There are almost 200 recognized learning styles models, but the one I’ve always found gave me the biggest bang for my buck was the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Although some think of it as a personality typing tool, it was originally designed with learning and education in mind.
This session isn’t about learning disabilities or abnormalities. All types are “normal” and “normal” learners can be any type!
Rather, it aims get us thinking and talking, through the use of just one of several possible models, about topics such as:
- * how different learners may respond differently to the same learning environment.
- * what happens when a student and teacher (teaching parent, facilitator, guide, mentor, etc.) have different styles
- * balancing the conflicting notions of playing to strengths and improving weaknesses (both yours and your child’s!)
By understanding some very specific ways in which factors such as attention, motivation, engagement, perception, decision-making and work habits differ from type to type, I hope you’ll walk away from the session with something that helps you in your day-to-day homeschooling.
Session 3: University Admissions for Homeschooled Applicants
I’m thinking of reorganizing this session slightly, and adding a tiny bit of information on some new topics like admission to colleges (but remember, this session is still primarily about universities!), when you might or might not consider getting an OSSD (high school diploma) and academic alternatives to a university education itself.
But basically, this will still explain the university admissions process in Ontario and where homeschoolers fit into that process. You’ll find out what you need to know about what the policies are, how to apply, the different paths you can take to acceptance and if you’re so inclined, I’ve always got suggestions about how early to start, what to do to prepare academically and how to structure a high school level program of studies.
I do try to take lots of questions, so take that into consideration. If you want to ask a question, you might appreciate the session. If you don’t want to sit through others’ questions, you might choose to just read the handouts instead. (But don’t worry – I’m very attuned to the needs of the audience as a whole and avoid most rabbit holes.)
Session 4: Standardized Tests for University Admissions
Another session from past years, but one I like doing a lot. In this session you’ll try some practice questions from the SAT and ACT and through those, I hope to give you a sense of the task of preparing for a standardized test for university entrance, including where, when and how to write them. We’ll also discuss who tends to be more successful at which exam so you can think about which exams you may want to prepare for, or whether you even need them at all. Other tests we will discuss include Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations, SAT II tests (Subject Tests) and CLEP. I’ll also explain why I won’t be discussing the IB program, nor the GED.
Shameless plug
If none of my topics are particularly relevant to you at this point in your homeschooling, maybe you’ll find one of my cousin’s sessions more to your tastes. Jason McGibbon is a church planter, pastor, lecturer, worship leader, singer/songwriter and most proudly a home school father of four. After many experiences and experiments, some successful and some not, Jason has a passion to share the things he has learned and to encourage others who seek to bring the Bible alive at home. He’ll be presenting in Session 2 and Session 3 and a speaker I highly recommend, family connections aside. (Please don’t hold it against him!)
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