What is a DLC Ambassador?

This week I started my two week excursion as a Digital Learning Competency (DLC) Ambassador with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  Today we will be working with educators in Western North Carolina.  Earlier this week, we worked with educators in Northwest North Carolina, the Piedmont Triad, and the Charlotte region.  In this role, I along with nearly 30 other awesome NC educators are sharing various professional learning opportunities that will help our educators with implementing the DLCs.  Truth be told, the DLCs are simply quality teaching that implement digital tools and technology.  But more basically than that, it is high quality instruction that results in meaningful learning for our students.  I am sharing two presentations.  One of my presentations, titled The Goosechase Is On; Motivating Students Through Scavenger Hunts, involve the use of Goosechase to create digital scavenger hunts that motivate students while they explore the 4Cs (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity).  We not only experience a Goosechase activity, participants share some amazing ideas about how to integrate this tool into existing curriculum and content standards.  I have already worked with over 100 educators who have experienced a Goosechase using Peter Reynolds' book "Happy Dreamer."  The educators that I have worked with this week have been extraordinary and shared many creative ways to use this tool in their classroom. One of the things that I love most about this tool is that it motivates students.  I have seen students who are very motivationally challenged actually respond positively and productively in using this tool.  With all that said, you may be wondering about the roles of a DLC Ambassador.  It is a role that I take very seriously and commit fully to supporting my fellow educators.  In this role, ambassadors prepare quality professional learning experiences that focus on the Digital Learning Competencies and content standards.  We are also charged with creating an environment that supports educators in learning the tools and content needed to integrate digital learning into their classrooms.  Ambassadors work to create a professional network among participants where they are safe to share their thoughts and ideas as well as receive feedback from other professionals.  Many ambassadors will form lasting friendships with teachers who attend sessions also.  DLC Ambassadors create a world where all educators can learn new tips, strategies, and ideas to more fully integrate digital tools in their classroom to improve student learning.  In short, a DLC Ambassador is a magical individual who helps teachers create new possibilities of learning at higher levels.