Christa McAulfffe Technology Conference 2004 Keynote Speakers

This year we have another GREAT lineup of keynote speakers.  Two of our speakers are new faces, David Warlick and Dr. Sara Armstrong, on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively and we also have a returning favorite on Thursday, Kathy Schrock.

The keynote topics this year follow:

Redefining Literacy for a New Century on Tuesday by David Warlick

Virtual Learning Environments and Experiences on Wednesday by Dr. Sara Armstrong

A Day in the Life of An Educator's Handheld on Thursday by Kathy Schrock

  Tuesday

Redefining Literacy for a New Century

David Warlick, Technology Consultant and Author

David Warlick's unique voice and message combines a wide range of experiences, both in and outside the education arena.  He ran two businesses before graduating from high school and spent more than a year in manufacturing before completing his undergraduate work.  He worked for nearly ten years as a middle school social studies, math, and science teacher, during which he also wrote award-winning instructional software and introduced hundreds of teachers to the educational potentials of desktop computers.

Since 1995, Mr. Warlick has been the owner and principal consultant of The Landmark Project, a professional development and web design firm in Raleigh North Carolina.  During this time David has spoken at conferences and delivered workshops for educators in nearly every state of the U.S. and audiences in Europe, Asia, and South America.
 

David Warlick has been an innovator and leader in the field of educational technology and a prolific programmer, writing some of the most popular interactive web tools available for teachers on the Internet -- most of them free.  He created and maintains the second oldest continuing online project, Global Grocery List, and writes for publications that include Technology & Learning Magazine, ALA 's KnowledgeQuest, Education World, and CUE Online.  Check out these resources and more at The Landmark Project website at landmark-project.com

Click here to see full descriptions of keynote and concurrent sessions.

  Wednesday

Virtual Learning Environments and Experiences

Sara Armstrong, Educational Consultant and Author

Sara Armstrong, Ph.D., is an independent educational consultant.  She is currently engaged in work on a number of projects that relate to effective teaching and learning, usually where integration of technology contributes to powerful interactions.  She is a former classroom teacher, was the Director of Content at The George Lucas Educational Foundation, and is called upon to speak at conferences and in professional development sessions on topics that include project-based learning, information literacy, multiple intelligences, digital storytelling, early literacy, and alternative forms of assessment.  Dr.Armstrong is the author of several books, and the editor of two: Snapshots!  Educational Insights from the Thornburg Center , and Edutopia: Success Stories for Learning in the Digital Age.  Her latest book, Information Literacy encompasses many topics in this important field.
 

Dr. Armstrong holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in education from the University of California , Berkeley .  She has been a member of the Board of Directors of CUE (Computer Using Educators) in California and the National Storytelling Network.  She currently serves as the treasurer of the Board for the Center for Accessible Technology, and is co-chair of the Storytelling in Organizations Special Interest Group of the National Storytelling Network.  She is a recipient of CUE's Gold Disk Award, and is an associate of the Thornburg Center for Professional Development.  For more information on Dr. Armstrong, check out the Thornburg Center Website at www.tcpd.org.

Click here to see full descriptions of keynote and concurrent sessions.

  Thursday

A Day in the Life of An Educator's Handheld

Kathy Schrock, Administrator for Technology, Speaker, and Author

Kathleen Beck Schrock is the Administrator for Technology for the Nauset Public Schools on Cape Cod , MA .  A large part of her job is involved with infusing technology throughout the curriculum in all areas and at all grade levels.  Previously a library media specialist, she is very interested in search strategies, evaluation of Internet information, copyright issues, handheld computers and gadgets, and the use of technology as a tool to support instruction.  Kathy is currently a member of the ISTE Board of Directors (2004-2006).
 

Kathy has been an avid user of the Internet since November of 1993 and continues to investigate daily and add links to new sources that will be helpful for educators.  She has written numerous articles on technology and education and has authored four books about the Internet -- Evaluating Internet Web Sites : An Educator's Guide, Developing Web Pages for Educators, TeacherQuests for Today's Teachers, Writing and Researching Using the Computer and one entitled Microsoft Publisher for Every Day of the School Year.  She also recently compiled a book entitled The Technology Connection: Building a Successful Library Media Program and is the editor of a new series of books for Linworth Publishing.  For more information go to Kathy Schrock's Home Page, kathyschrock.net

Click here to see full descriptions of keynote and concurrent sessions.

  David Warlick Sessions

Keyote Session ~  Redefining Literacy for a New Century

Description: As little as we know about the future for which we are preparing our students, it is clear that it will be a place that is governed by information. Accessing, processing, building with, and communicating that information is how we will all make our livings.

Being literate in this future will certainly involve the ability to read, write, and do basic math. However, the concept of literacy in the 21st century will be far richer and more comprehensive than the 3 Rs of the one room school house, a legacy that still strongly influences today's education environment.

This enlightening and thought-provoking address will make a case for a literacy model that extends out of reading, writing, and basic math to answer questions like:

* What do you need to know, when most of recorded knowledge is a mouse-click away?

* How do you distinguish between good knowledge and bad knowledge?

* What does it do to the value of information, when everyone is a producer?

* How do we address ethics, when we are empowering our students with such prevailing skills?

Join this 25-year educator and technology pioneer in exploring the art of teaching in the 21st century classroom.

Concurrent Sessions

Finding It on the Net: Becoming a Digital Detective

There are no magic buttons on the Internet.  Conducting deep and revealing research over the global network involves strategy, uncovering clues, and investigating a digital universe.  This entertaining and practical presentation will demonstrate a number of obscure tips for searching the Internet including an approach called S.E.A.R.C.H.   Learning how this dynamic model for searching the Internet can grow content and provoke creativity in teaching. Learn to be Sherlock Holmes in Cyberspace.

Right & Wrong on the Information Highway : For Love of the Truth

Preparing children for an information-driven, technology-rich future requires us to redefine literacy in a way that reflects the changing nature of information. You and I were taught to read what some body handed to us. Our students will read from a global digital library that anyone can publish to, just about anything they want, and for just about any reason. What does this mean to the value of information, its reliability, and our responsibilities as citizens who are not mere consumers of information but participants in a global information community?

This presentation will feature thought-provoking ideas about the information world and techniques for teaching our children a new sense of ethics demanded by citizens who are both information consumers and producers.

  Sara Armstrong Sessions

Keynote ~ Virtual Learning Environments and Experiences

Engaging students in active and engaging learning in the classroom of today means providing meaningful experiences on- and off-line.  Powerful learning requires making connections:  to important content, to others around the world, to modern tools that enhance teaching and learning.  During her keynote session, Dr. Armstrong shares examples of successful programs to help you make the virtual possible.

Concurrent Sessions

Story Starter: When we implemented project-based learning in our school...

The challenge of bringing 21st century learning and teaching into today's schools is huge.  Many schools and districts across the country have found that project-based learning addresses the challenge.  Students learn to work collaboratively, research effectively, present their findings, draw from all disciplines, and realize the "real world" applications of how they spend their time at school. And test scores go up.  See examples.  Develop criteria for your own setting.  Share ideas. Our kids (and teachers) deserve it.

Information Literacy in Today's World

It has always been important for students to synthesize and evaluate what they read. In today's world of TMI (too much information), students need even more skills to assess what they see and hear from a variety of sources including TV, books, magazines, newspapers, billboards, and especially Web sites. A variety of techniques for helping us all evaluate what we take in are available. Let's see what's already in place, and begin to develop effective processes specific to our own students.

  Kathy Schrock Sessions

Keynote ~ A Day in the Life of an Educator's Handheld

Follow an amazing educator through a "typical" work day, from sun-up to sun-down, in this presentation that documents, via short video clips, the multitude of ways handheld computers can be used for personal, professional, instructional, educational, and recreational uses.  From getting up in the morning, to daily schedules, lists, and meetings, to classroom applications, to cozying up on the couch with a good "ebook", all are included in this entertaining and informative presentation.  Applications and hardware included the presentation will also be demonstrated.

Concurrent Sessions

The Magic of Technology Gadgets for Educators

The "gadget queen" will present the must-have technology gadgets for educators. Framing it with "the way it was" and "the way it is now", participants will explore everything from storage devices to tablet PC's and everything in between! Teachers will come away with an idea of how technology can "magically" help them both in the

Power in the Palm of Your Hand

This presentation continues the discussion of the effective use of handheld computers to support teaching and learning. It includes a look at the impact of technology in education, the effective use of these devices, and a multitude of original activities for using the palmOne™ handheld computer in the classroom to maximize their impact on student achievement.