EDUCATORS WORLDWIDE INVITED TO ATTEND DISCOVERY EDUCATION’S 2016 FALL VIRTCON Shawnee Cohn, Discovery Education240-393-5849, shawnee_cohn@discovery.com Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education240-463-2894, Stephen_Wakefield@discovery.com — No-cost virtual event provides teachers and administrators actionable strategies for deepening the integration of digital media into classroom instruction — Silver Spring, Md. (October 4, 2016) – The Discovery Education Community invites teachers and administrators worldwide to participate in the 2016 Fall VirtCon on Saturday, October 22 from 9AM – 1PM EST. The Discovery Education Community is supported by Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content for K-12 classrooms. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing, and inspiration. The 2016 Fall VirtCon provides a unique, flexible professional learning opportunity for educators at all levels to improve their teaching practice and be inspired through thought-provoking presentations and engaging discussions with their peers around the globe. Streamed live from Discovery Education’s headquarters in Maryland, VirtCon provides participants the opportunity to connect with their colleagues, share ideas and instructional tools, and discover new digital resources they can immediately integrate into teaching and learning. Last year, approximately 2,500 educators participated in the Fall VirtCon. While the 2016 Fall VirtCon includes a variety of engaging online workshops and presentations, it also features a number of ongoing discussions facilitated by Discovery Education Community members on timely education topics, including: Literacy Through Digital Content. During this discussion, participants will explore best practices for using digital media and tools to help students become the skilled readers, writers, and thinkers needed in today’s world. In addition, they will learn about dynamic digital tools and resources to engage students in authentic literacy learning and to support their digital literacy development. Learner Agency and Student Ownership. This discussion will provide attendees with new and creative ways to encourage students to become more self-directed in their education. Educators will leave this discussion with practical strategies for supporting independent learning and student ownership. Professional Learning Strategies. Participants in this dialogue will explore research-based professional development practices that leverage digital resources and proven instructional practices to enhance student learning. Collaborative STEM. Through this conversation, educators will focus on unique ways they can utilize collaborative STEM projects to grow their students’ creative, communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills. Additional sessions will be led by Discovery Education experts including Lance Rougeux, Vice President of Learning Communities and Innovation; Hall Davidson, Senior Director of Global Learning Initiatives; and Dean Shareski, Community Engagement Manager. “Discovery Education’s VirtCon is one of the most valuable professional learning events I attend each year,” said Jeannine Shields, Instructional Technology Facilitator in New York’s City School District of New Rochelle. “Whether you are just beginning to use digital content for classroom instruction or an ed-tech expert, I encourage every educator to make time to participate in the Fall VirtCon. It’s among the best opportunities I know of for learning new teaching and learning strategies and best practices you can immediately use.” Discovery Education also encourages teachers and administrators to create local face-to-face events at which they can network with their peers, participate in the virtual events, and discuss and practice the online presentations. Virtual participants will have the opportunity to interact with others by joining the online chat. For more information about hosting a local viewing party, or to register for virtual and in-person events, visit https://www.discoveryeducation.com/fallvirtcon. Use the hashtag #FallVirtCon to follow along with this event on Twitter. At the conclusion of the 2016 Fall VirtCon, all sessions will be archived and available at the event website. “Discovery Education is excited to once again offer the VirtCon as a professional learning opportunity for educators around the world,” said Lance Rougeux, Discovery Education Vice President of Learning Communities and Innovation. “No matter your role or your familiarity with digital content and educational technologies, this will offer valuable insight on using those resources to support the success of all learners.” To learn more about Discovery Education’s professional learning opportunities as well as other initiatives and services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com. About Discovery EducationDiscovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.