This year, UTC’s Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI) looked different from any other year, but that didn’t stop the program from having a record-breaking number of registrations.
For three weeks, over 390 participants came together via Zoom to collaborate with one another and learn teaching strategies from AP consultants. The 4-day workshops prepared teachers, both new and experienced, for the upcoming school year; they gained fresh insight into best practices for teaching AP content and preparing students to take AP exams.
While UTC missed seeing participants on campus (and vice versa), teachers enjoyed the new online format, as well.
“I was hesitant about online APSI and how much interaction/information/feedback we would have, but after the 2nd day, I was HOOKED!” said one APSI Chemistry participant. “Between the small group ZOOM sessions and online resources we had, it turned out to be a great experience.”
Another new aspect of APSI was that a third week of APSI workshops was opened. Usually, there are only two weeks of workshops, but a third was available in English Language, English Literature, and Physics 1 & 2 to accommodate an overflow of registrations. Week 1 (June 15-18) had 190 participants, Week 2 (June 22-25) had 162 participants, and Week 3 (June 29-July 2) finished strong with 41 participants.
Participants logged in from 38 states and 5 countries, including Brazil, Belgium, and China, to be a part of APSI. This year, courses were offered in Chemistry, English Literature, Environmental Science, Macro and Micro Economics, Physics 1 & 2, US Government and Politics, US History, Biology, Calculus, Computer Science Principles, English Language, Human Geography, Psychology, and Spanish Language and Culture.
“I truly missed having everyone on campus this summer, but I am so glad that we were still able to offer teachers quality professional development,” said John Freeze, Director of UTC Center for Professional Education. “Moving to an online platform in a matter of weeks had its challenges, but I am proud of the work our team accomplished. I am so grateful for our consultants who really made the online format exceptional.”