NYSCATE 2012

NYSCATE is the perfect place for an EdTech loving geek to meet like minded and inspiring teachers who do amazing things in their schools and classrooms.

So our CWG staff hit the road to Rochester, New York, to meet these educators and see why NYSCATE is the perfect place to talk, connect, and energize!

Take a look at our Sneak Peek.... HERE

The Daring Superintendent!

The life of a superintendent of schools in Western New York has challenges and outright obstacles.   Tight budgets and rural homes with no access to wireless technology are just a few of the challenges.  Some educational leaders may look to back away from these challenges, but not our second guest.

Kimberly  Moritz, is not just any superintendent.  Bold, innovative, and dare I say courageous, Kim openly encourages her Randolph Central School teachers to push the boundaries of innovative technology solutions to teach their students.  Bring your own devices?  Unheard of in most schools in the area.  Allow Facebook?  Are you kidding?  Nope, Kim believes in arming her teachers and students with the tools of an ever changing 21st century world, by using them, not just talking about them.   Kim also leads by example by incorporating technology into her own practice with her G-Town Talks Blog.

To move forward on these initiatives at Randolph, Kim relies on CEO Mike Frame and some tech-willing teachers.  For example, math teacher, Geoff Olson explains how he has "Flipped" his classroom to allow students the ability to view lessons at home so they can get more one to one assistance in school doing their "homework".  This approach is relatively new but is showing great promise.

I really enjoyed my trip down to the lovely area where Randolph sits and enjoy a cup of coffee with a forward thinking dynamo and some of her staff!

Also in this episode, I highlight the fantastic app and website from New York Teacher, Adam Bellow, called Edutecher!  Check it out.

To view this interview go to iTunes U link:  HERE

Where did this idea come from?

As a teacher and citizen, it is important to give credit where credit is due.  The idea of this program came from my friend, Julie LaChance.  I met Julie in Second Life and later at the ISTE 2010 and 2011 Conferences.  Julie was honored with the Young Educator Award  award from ISTE because of her undying commitment to use technology to help students learn.  One of Julie's ideas was called, "Coffee with a Nerd" which she wrote about in ISTE's Leading and Learning Magazine.  Essentially the idea was to have professional development workshops for teachers with the added bonus of a good pot of gourmet coffee brewing in the background.  This was an opportunity to break down some of the anxiety that often accompanies new technology for teachers.
So with that in mind I thought it would be a nice twist to flip the idea by having tech savvy teachers talk about their fantastic ideas over a nice cup of coffee at at local coffee shop.
Putting together a well made production proved to be the most challenging task.  However, I came across dynamic TV Production and Sound teacher, Marc Hunt, who has been a huge help being the "Producer" of the show.  Marc lends his extraordinary talents to create the video of Coffee with a Geek.  Of course he gets help from some of his eager students.
To find out episodes please go to our iTunes U Link:  HERE  

The Moodle Biology Teacher

Our first guest at Coffee with a Geek is Lancaster Biology teacher Amy Balling.  Amy's, Balling Biology, Moodle Course has been legendary here in Western New York.

Amy's Moodle Course

Interactive, innovative, and chock full of high order thinking skills, this hybrid Moodle course is designed to help students navigate the exploration of biology.  The Moodle course is an extension of Amy's high octane teaching style, and superior geeky brain.  When viewing Amy's class in action, we found students enter the room, get ready for instruction, listen to the assignment for the day.... and.... get right to work using laptops, iPod Touch's and yes... even pencil and paper.  Group activity.... Check.... Technology integrated learning... Check... Self guided exploration.... Check.  Amy is well organized and committed to bringing biology concepts and skills to the learners of a new generation.
Check out Amy's teacher blog as well.  Ballin with Balling

See Amy's episode at iTunes U... HERE