ACTEM Board member Dennis Crowe was attending a Maine Principal’s Assn. meeting in Augusta when the idea of ACTEM co-sponsoring a one-day conference with the MPA was broached. The result: “Shrinking the Technology Gaps Among Administrators, Technology Coordinators , and Students” will be offered March 26 at the MPA’s Augusta conference center. ACTEM members qualify for a reduced registration fee of $105 for the day.
The morning session will feature Messalonskee High computer teacher Gail George and two of her students addressing the topic, “Who Are We and What Do We Know?” Among the topics that will be addressed are student use and abuse of technology, technology and student social behavior, and safe student Internet use.
Incorporating student participation in the program proved effective in a previous MPA conference last fall. Maranacook Technology Coordinator Jan Kolenda noted, “The October MPA session offered educators valuable insight on educational technology from the student viewpoint. Students shared how they use technology in their lives outside of school and provided suggestions as to what they would like to see happen inside of schools and throughout the curriculum. It was a great overview of how technology has changed the way students learn.”
On March 26 an afternoon panel of technology coordinators will address the broad topic of “The Digital Student in the 21st Century.” Dennis Crowe rounded up fellow ACTEM Board members Alice Barr (Yarmouth), Cheryl Oakes (Wells-Ogunquit), Gary Lanoie (Cape Elizabeth), and Tyler Dunphy (Westbrook) as well as Angel Allen, Technology Director for two Franklin County districts, MSAD #9 and MSAD #58. Among the topics to be covered are open versus closed systems, technology tools that can enhance learning, and the future of technology in our schools.”
Though unable to participate in the March 26 panel due to prior commitments, both ACTEM President Crystal Priest and Dennis Crowe heartily endorse the combined efforts of MPA and ACTEM in offering technology conferences geared toward administrators.
Registration is limited to 90 participants and closes March 16. The link to the registration form is at the top of this article or call MPA at 622-0217.
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