VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

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Big Deal Book, April 15, 2018

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Blue rectangle with words Maximizing Technology in the the 21st Century Classroom bright graphic on left side of rectangle displays words Big Deal MediaVSTE partners with Big Deal Media to bring you the "best of the best" of web-based resources, classroom competitions and teacher grant programs. The April 15, 2018, newsletter offers resources that Support English Learners, Build Financial Literacy, Focus on STEAM & More.

Experimental Extensions to Scratch

The Scratch team in the MIT Media Lab is gearing up to release a new version of Scratch designed to work on mobile devices. The team is also working on a way to integrate the physical world with Scratch using what they’re currently calling a “Scratch Pad.”

Writing Game for Setting Creativity in Motion

Designed by Liternauts for iOS, Android, Kindle, and Mac, the Writing Challenge allows students from ages 7 to 14 to enjoy writing in the guise of an engaging, interactive game.

Technology Support for Maker Communities

The SparkFun Community Partnership Program facilitates one-time collaborations between SparkFun and its community partners to support the work of makers in the field. In exchange for support through the donation of SparkFun hardware, community partners provide content for SparkFun’s channels to share their stories with the maker community at large.

Transforming Learning is All About Mindset

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David French
Principal, Glenwood Elementary School, Virginia Beach
Director

This blog post is part of the VSTE Voice series. VSTE directors, members, and friends share ideas and insights of interest to the VSTE community. 

Carol Dweck, the author of Mindset, describes mindset as either fixed or growth. The fixed mindset is one that is carved in stone, with no chance of change, while the growth mindset is one that is based on the belief that your basic qualities are ones that you can cultivate through your efforts. Everyone can change and grow through application and experience.

Schools haven’t changed a lot over the last century. In that time, teachers have passed down ideas and observed practices from other teachers, creating an academic culture similar to what our parents and grandparents experienced.

Attitude and mindset are huge determining factors in our success and the success of our students. A few changes can mean the difference between a hostile, cold classroom atmosphere and a warm, welcoming one. If educators would open their minds to new approaches to how we are teaching our students, big changes in schools could drastically accelerate. Those educators could also learn to love teaching even more.

But this doesn’t come easy to our teachers. It is easier to learn new habits than to let go of the old ones. Most of the time people agree that change is needed, but still hesitate to step up and make the changes. Henry Ford said, “If I had asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." Teachers need support and encouragement, along with guidance as they begin transforming their classrooms from the traditional paper-and-pencil learning environments to the more student centered classroom.

Dave Burgess in Teach Like a Pirate writes, “If you provide your students with an uncommon learning experience they will reward you with an uncommon effort." Today’s kids are born digital--born into a media rich, networked world of infinite possibilities. But their digital lifestyle is about more than just cool gadgets; it’s about engagement, self-directed learning, creativity and empowerment. This is challenging to most of our teachers, but with the right attitude and mindset, teachers will find how rewarding it will be to meet their students where they are.

I often ask my teachers to reflect on their classrooms. Would you want your own child to be in your classroom? Are you willing to do what it takes to meet the needs of your students? If they didn’t have to be there, would they show up anyway? Technology will never replace teachers. However, those teachers that embrace the use of innovative teaching tools will be make those connections with their students, and provide engaging and relevant learning experiences.

The right mindset and the willingness to grow and learn new ways, will transform your classroom into a learning environment based on student agency.

Meg Swecker

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Meg Swecker
Coordinator of Technology Integration/ITRT
Roanoke County Public Schools

Educational Leadership

As the Coordinator of Technology Integration for Roanoke County Public schools, I support district wide initiatives, provide professional development, and collaborate with teachers and district leaders to use technology to empower learners. I have presented at local, regional, state, and International conferences.
I was elected to serve on the VSTE Board of Directors in 2015. During my term, I chaired the both the Elections Committee and the VEPLN Ad Hoc Committee and served on the Education Committee, the Outreach Committee, the Awards Committee, and the TSIP Ad Hoc Committee.

Vision for VSTE

My vision for VSTE includes advocacy, education, and outreach, three things that VSTE is already actively involved in.
VSTE’s advocacy, at both the state and national level, provides an active and passionate voice for Virginia’s students and educators. It is important that this voice continue to be heard.
VSTE supports Virginia educators by providing outstanding professional development in regional, state, and virtual events. The development of digital PD opportunities will create a positive impact on Virginia educators who may not be able to attend face to face events.

Biographical Sketch

I am passionate about the innovation and creativity that technology can bring to teaching and learning, and it is an honor to be able to share this passion with other educators. This is my 30th year as an educator and I feel like I’m just getting started!
When I’m not teaching, I spend my time gardening, keeping bees, and scuba diving.

Tim Stahmer

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Tim Stahmer
Freelance Educator
Fairfax County Public Schools (Retired)

Educational Leadership

I have been a VSTE member for more than 25 years and have served the organization through my work on various teams, presenting at the conference almost every year, and supporting other smaller events. For the past three years, I have been honored to serve on the Board of Directors and working as part of the Outreach and Advocacy Committees. I was part of the team that renovated the VSTE website to make it more accessible and useful for the membership, and continues to maintain it. In addition, I have been part of the Conference committee for six years, originating and leading the Maker/Playground areas that bring more interaction to the annual event. I have also planned and present events for local, state and national organizations, including ISTE, ASCD, and NSDC.

Vision for VSTE

Over the past three years, the Board has worked to increase VSTE’s role as a vocal advocate for Virginia teachers, ITRTs, school administrators and other education professionals at the state and national level. We must continue and expand this effort to strongly articulate the views of our members on instructional issues related to the use of technology for learning. One way of doing this is by expanding our support of regional and local organizations and their events that help ITRT and teachers become more effective at using technology to improve student learning. We must also continue our efforts to learn and use the art of lobbying, especially in Richmond, so that the Governor, legislators, and other officials clearly understand our message.

Biographical Sketch

For more than 25 years, I was a teacher and Technology Specialist in Fairfax County. During the latter part of my time there, I was privileged to work with the 200 amazing instructional technology trainers (called ITRTs in most parts of Virginia) in our schools, primarily supporting their efforts with middle and high school teachers and students. Prior to that I was one of those trainers, back when one of us served multiple schools at multiple levels. In a life before that, I taught students in middle and high school the beauty and application of mathematics and computer science. On the side, I have been actively blogging for almost 15 years (ancient history in the web timeline) and regularly inflict my thoughts on the web through Twitter, flickr and other channels.

Ed Ozols

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Ed Ozols
Technology Director
Bath County Public Schools

Educational Leadership Experience

I was an ITRT from August 2012 until July 2016 when I became the Technology Supervisor for Bath County Public Schools. During that time, I have overseen the BCPS becoming a 1:1 laptop division for grades 5-12 and have led the way for Office365 to be the main educational workspace for teachers and students. Additionally, I have increased network bandwidth significantly. Having been a teacher before I was an ITRT, I understand the classroom and the demands that are placed on teachers. I worked to give teachers solutions that would empower them while saving time.

Vision for VSTE

I want VSTE to continue to be the voice for technology in schools. Division budgets are challenging, but we need to continue to develop 21st century skills in our students. Many of the jobs that they will occupy have not yet been created, but we can give them the skills that they need to be successful in those new jobs. I would like to see increasing involvement at the university level with students who will be entering the teaching field so that they are better able to successfully integrate technology into their classroom starting at day one.

Biographical Sketch

I wrote my first code in 1969 during my freshman year in high school. I have a BA in Psychology from Southern Illinois University and a MS in Special Education from Radford University. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked in technology. When I started teaching, I used an overhead projector. After a few years they gave me an interactive whiteboard and then a table computer. I quickly moved from Special Education to teaching programming and Technical Drawing while at the same time acting as a part time ITRT. When the Technology Supervisor position became open, I applied, and now have that job.