EdTech Brings Regional Educators to UMW
March 17, 2014 by Melina Downs
Educators from across the region came together March 14 for the Fourth Annual EdTech Conference at the University of Mary Washington to talk about ways to change learning in the digital age.
Sponsored by the College of Education, the day began with a keynote presentation by Director of Teaching and Learning at UMW Jim Groom who spoke about publishing and archiving student work, UMW blogs, digital storytelling and why K-12 educators should incorporate those tools in the classroom.
“What we do as educators – what we do in higher ed and K-12 – is share a hope. It’s a hope that what we’re doing is framing a whole world of possibility and connections. And the Web is the single greatest tool ever invented to help us build on what we do,” said Groom. “It’s a remarkable world that we live in.”
The conference also included a variety of sessions from “Animoto Movies in Your Class!” to “Expanding Your Web 2.0 Toolkit.” One session, “Frames and Share, You Can Do It!,” featured presentations from J.W. Alvey Elementary School students who created short movies and presentations.
In the afternoon, Margaret Stout, a teacher at Antietam Elementary, introduced participants to Google Glass and demonstrated how she’s using the new technology in her classroom to teach students with autism. The conference ended with a panel discussion about current issues and challenges.
Teresa Coffman, associate professor in the College of Education, and Tami Pratt-Fartro, assistant professor in the College of Education, helped to create the annual conference four years ago with the goal of forming a regional network of educators who come together to share great teaching practices. That goal has remained intact.
“I want people to build connections and community. I want them to think about their pedagogy in new and different ways and to use technology to foster learning in the classroom to engage their students to think critically and creatively,” said Coffman. “I want people to explore professional development in new and exciting ways.”
Filed Under: College of Education, Newsletter Latest News, What's New @ UMW Tagged With: College of Education, EdTech Conference, Jim Groom, tcoffman, tprattfa
UMW Hosts Fourth Annual EdTech Conference, March 14
January 27, 2014 by Regina Weiss
The University of Mary Washington will host the fourth annual EdTech Conference, supported by the College of Education, on Friday, March 14 at UMW’s Stafford campus.
This year’s conference theme is “Changing the Face of Learning in the Digital Age,” featuring keynote speaker Jim Groom, executive director of teaching and learning technologies at UMW and guest speakers such as Margaret Stout, self-contained autism classroom teacher (K-3). The conference offers educators, education leaders and anyone interested in education the opportunity to learn more about how technology impacts teaching and learning.
Conference attendees will work alongside colleagues and educational leaders to explore innovative teaching methods, familiarize themselves with emerging technologies for learning, work with digital literacies in the classroom and offer discourse about the shifting role of educators in the profession.
All interested K-12 teachers, pre-service teachers, administrators, university educators and technology specialists and parents, are welcome to attend the event.
The event begins at 9 a.m. in the North Building of UMW’s Stafford campus, and ends at 4 p.m. Registration for the event is $50 and includes the choice of concurrent sessions, workshops, the keynote session, guest speakers, exhibitor presentations and a catered lunch. All participants must preregister, including presenters.
Proposals for presentations and showcase exhibits are due by March 3, and general registration closes March 10.
For more information or to register, visit http://2014umwedtechconference.umwblogs.org/ or contact education faculty members Teresa Coffman or Tamie Pratt-Fartro.
Filed Under: Newsletter Latest News, Top Stories Tagged With: College of Education, tcoffman
Educating Innovators
September 9, 2013 by Julia Davis
Professor Teresa Coffman shows her education graduate students how to integrate technology into the classroom.
Filed Under: College of Education, Great Minds, Show on Great Minds, UMW Home Page Tagged With: College of Education, tcoffman