Technology Integration Specialists in K-12 schools and districts often hold Master’s degrees in Educational Technology. In fact, we know that many students apply to our Master’s of Educational Technology program because they hope to move into a technology integration position. As more and more districts scale up their technology offerings, the technology integration role is more essential than ever. From the outside, the role seems to offer vast scope for innovation and creativity — but what are the challenges that tech integration experts have to manage? What are the most pressing issues that every tech integration expert must reconcile?
In this months’ The Bridge Webinar, four leading technology integration experts, will come together to talk shop. They’ll address the ups and downs of the work they do, and explore answers to the most difficult questions facing them today.
Candace Marcotte, Instructional Technology Facilitator at Springman Middle School in Glenview, Illinois; Chris Fahnoe, Director of Technology and Assessment for Arlington Heights School District 25 in Arlington Heights, Illinois; Sean Nash, District Instructional Coordinator in the North Kansas City School District in Missouri; and Ben Rimes, K-12 Instructional Technology Coordinator for Mattawan Consolidated School in Mattawan, MI will discuss issues such as:
–How to keep the focus on learning rather than on “cool tools” in 1:1 programs;
–How all educational leaders can support technology integration;
–Which approaches to professional development enable all teachers to feel empowered (even those who would rather not use technology);
–How to assess technology integration efforts;
–How schools can ensure that instructional technology efforts have a higher aim than providing a device for each child to have access to online assessment platforms.
This not-to-be-missed conversation will run live on Tuesday, November 18 from 12PM-1PM Eastern Time at http://bridge.educ.msu.edu.
If you miss the livestream, the conversation will be archived at http://bridge.educ.msu.edu too.
Links to related resources will also be openly shared on the embedded EtherPad at http://bridge.educ.msu.edu.
Just the Facts
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Time: 12pm Eastern Time
Where: Watch the embedded livestream at http://bridge.educ.msu.edu
What: Learn about the Tech Integration Specialist Role from the best in the business!
Watch #MAETBridge and #MAET on Twitter for links and to join the conversation.
Guest Bios
Candace Marcotte
Candace is an Instructional Technology Facilitator at Springman Middle School in Glenview, Illinois. After obtaining her Master of Arts in Educational Technology from MSU, Candace transitioned from a 6th grade teaching position into her current coaching role. Glenview District 34 is 1:1 iPad in K-8th grade, and Candace works closely with almost 900 students and 75+ teachers daily in her building. In addition, Candace is an instructor for the MSU-Wipro STEM fellowship for Chicago Public Schools.
Chris Fahnoe
Chris is currently serving as the Director of Technology and Assessment for Arlington Heights School District 25 in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He has worked at both the middle school and elementary level as a principal, assistant principal, engaged learning facilitator and a computer lab teacher. Additionally, Chris is working toward his PhD in educational psychology and educational technology at Michigan State University.
Sean Nash
Sean is a District Instructional Coordinator in the North Kansas City School District in Missouri. He is formerly the District Instructional Technology Coordinator in the St. Joseph School District in MO. Prior to that he was an Instructional Coach, and began his 23 year career in education as a Biology teacher. In addition, Sean continues to work as an instructional technology consultant with a focus beyond mere integration and toward student-centric transformation of instructional practice.
Ben Rimes
Ben Rimes is the K-12 Instructional Technology Coordinator for Mattawan Consolidated School in Mattawan, MI. He is a former classroom teacher, and holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education. In addition to teaching online for the MSU MAET program, he is also involved with the Institute for Innovation in Education through the University of Michigan, and sits on the advisory board for the Learning Games Network’s Playful Learning Initiative.