What I did this summer
It is almost time for the students to return and face the question “What did you do this summer.” I thought I would get a jump on things and answer the question now.
During the first summer session I completed the course “Administration of Technology Programs” with ECU. I have two more classes this fall and I will have completed my requirements for Instructional Technology licensure. I’ll be glad to have that behind me.
I had a few “tech-geeky” high points this summer. In July I attended the NC Network conference in Wilmington as a testing consultant. One of the presenters was Marc Prensky. Marc is an internationally known speaker and author. I have been particularly interested in his work with educational games. His presentation was exciting and informative and I had a chance to meet and talk with him after the session.
My second high point came at a regional Technology Director’s meeting in Ahoskie. One of the presentations was about Skype. Skype is an online IP based communications program. We “skyped in” to a video conference with Cathy Evanoff in Dare County. She is using Skype in the classroom and she told us about some of her experiences. After the video portion of the call Cathy skyped in some of the people she has worked with in educational technology across the United States. One of them was Vicki Davis, author of Cool Cat Teacher Blog, that I have been following for some time. It was exciting to participate in a conversation with her.
Finally, just this past week, I attended the DPI Media and Technology Update in Edenton with Lisa Rose from Moyock Elementary, Charlotte Parker from Knotts Island Elementary, Candy Sample from Griggs Elementary and Becky Leousis from Central Elementary. One of the session was on an education game named Quest Atlantis. This game is being developed by Indiana University and the One Planet Education Network. I was somewhat familiar with OPEN through some of my blog reading. After the presentation I spent a few minutes with George Newman, the founder and manager of OPEN. It was nice to talk with someone who has been out front in using technology to improve educational opportunities for children. It is my hope that some of our schools will take advantage of the opportunity to bring Quest Atlantis to Currituck classrooms.
