Monday, November 19, 2012

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

Friday, November 16, 2012

The Daring Superintendent!

Coffee with a Geek Episode 2


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