Virginia Society for Technology in Education
The 33rd Annual Technology in Education Conference will be held December 2 - 4, 2018, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. We are already busy planning another amazing event but...we need your help. The conference committee has created four themes and can't decide which one they like the best. So, we want to hear from you!
Vote for your favorite theme here.
Voting closes March 11, 2018, at 9 PM.
Join VSTE's regional partner the Greater Richmond Area Educational Technology Consortium on Monday, February 26, 2018, at 7 PM for Learning Experiences to Engage and Empower Students, a free webinar.
Watch the archives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7FDcbhHYyY&feature=youtu.be
Are you looking for ways to be inspired to engage your learners? Do you need ideas on how to empower your students? Longwood University's Institute for Teaching through Technology and Innovative Practices (ITTIP) will share how they are facilitating classroom learning experiences in seven divisions to foster student engagement through 1) technology integration with littleBits; 2) problem-based learning; and 3) global collaboration. Key components also include alternative assessments and the 5c components of the Profile of Virginia Graduate (critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship).
ITTIP will share the teaching and learning experiences being used in a year-long professional development with teachers from various subject areas in grades 3-8. Teachers are involved in learning how technologies like littleBits and Google Expedition can be used in the classroom to engage their students in content learning through problem-solving and inquiry-based pedagogies. The professional development experience includes exploration with tools such as Seesaw, Google Classroom, and Skype to see how these tools could be used in the classroom to facilitate engagement through collaborate work, communication, and critical and creative thinking.
In addition to being challenged with designing inquiry-based learning experiences for students through problem-based learning (PBL), alternative assessments, and technologies during a five-day summer workshop, participating teachers are continuing their learning and leadership in facilitating an engaged and empowered classroom through a year-long professional learning community. During these experiences teachers will be involved in a fall book study to learn more about ways they can facilitate classroom connections through global learning experiences.
Come hear about our teacher’s experiences and get inspired with ways to empower and engage your students!
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce plans for informational meetings regarding the GoOpenVA Open Educational Resources (OER) initiative. The first informational meeting was held in Superintendent’s Region II at WHRO on November 13, 2017, with additional meetings held in Superintendent’s Region VI in Botetourt County and in Superintendent’s Region VII in Radford. Meetings are being planned in all eight Virginia Superintendent’s Regions and are open to anyone interested in learning more about OER and GoOpenVA. Meetings will include an overview of the GoOpenVA initiative and provide attendees the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Bobby Keener, VDOE Chief Technology Innovations Officer, and Ernest Longworth, Coordinator of Instructional Technology at Chesterfield County Schools, will provide an overview of the GoOpenVa initiative and attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback. The meeting schedules are listed below:
March 12, 2018 – 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m,
Luther P. Jackson Adult Education Center
15 School Road
Cumberland, Virginia 23040
March 15 – 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Harrisonburg City Public Schools Central Office
Multipurpose Room
One Court Square
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
March 22 – 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Frederick County Middle School
Community Room
4661 N. Frederick Pike
Winchester, Virginia 22601
This is a great opportunity for the Department of Education and the GoOpenVA team to gain valuable feedback, and we encourage participation from a variety of division-level stakeholders to ensure this initiative is aligned with student and division needs.
You can learn more about the GoOpenVA initiative here.
The Virtual Environments PLN will be hosting a hoedown and fundraiser to welcome House@Blues to VSTE Island on Friday, February 23, 2018, from 7 to 9 PM EST. This live concert will feature singer Anightwing.
The fundraiser helps offset the cost of VSTE Island. You can make donations via our Friends of VSTE fund.
New to Second Life?
If you don't have a Second Life account get one, it's free, at http://secondlife.com/. Download and install the software. While your Second Life viewer (software) is open click this link http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VSTE%20Island/61/104/22 and voila! Look for an avatar on VSTE Island and say, "Hey, I'm new!" We will take care of the rest.
Join VSTE and its special guests throughout the day on Thursday, February 22, 2018, to celebrate Digital Learning Day 2018.
11 AM: Mark Saunders, Technology and Virtual Learning Coordinator from the Virginia Department of Education will provide updates from VDOE
1 PM: Bobby Keener, Chief Technology Innovations Officer from the Virginia Department of Education will provide updates from his department related to eRate and OER
7:30 PM VSTE Award Winners
In the evening, we will host our annual chat with the VSTE 2017 Award Winners. Join us to hear from Josh Ajima, Nichole Thomas, and Tim Taylor about the innovative work being done in their school divisions. We'll be streaming live starting at 7:30 PM.
VSTE is also celebrating all month with our Digital Learning flipgrid. This week's topic focuses on the impact of digital learning.
