Presenters
Danielle's passion for educational technology began in 1997 when all she had access to was a computer in a closet of the media center with Internet. As a former technology coach, DEN STAR, DEN Leader and member of other educational organizations, she has learned the power of networking. Danielle collaborates with Heather on various classroom activities throughout the year. She has presented at FETC, SCEDTech, GAETC, Creative Constructor and ISTE for the last 20 years.
Emy Aultman is a passionate, creative, and energetic media specialist from Tifton, Georgia. She is a 2004 graduate from GSW in Americus, Georgia, graduating with a BS in Early Childhood Education. She taught 1st and 2nd grade classrooms for the first 8 years in her career. She also received M.ED. in Library Media from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia in 2009. In her 19 years of teaching she has developed a love for creating an engaging teaching environment where all students are encouraged to develop emotionally, socially, and intellectually.
Debbie Bohanan has taught for over 30 years in Osceola County, FL. She has worked with students from K-12 grade. She is currently teaching digital video at an at-risk school for students in grades 8-12. Debbie holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Education Media Design and Technology, is a national board certified teacher for over 20 years, ESOL Endorsed and certified in Technology (6-12). Her networks include the Discovery Educator Network and Leadership Council, MIE, TIE, Nourished Teachers and the ISTE Digital Storytelling Network. She has presented at FETC, ISTE Live, and Creative Constructor Lab.
Community Advocate Manager
Carolyn Daly has been working for an educational technology company in San Diego, called Tech4Learning for over 20 years. She has conducted hundreds of presentations at local and state-wide conferences and writes articles for the online Creative Educator magazine. Before working for Tech4Learning, Carolyn taught for 4 years as a bilingual educator in California, in addition to 2 years in schools in Costa Rica and Guatemala. She holds a Master’s of Education in Literacy from California State San Marcos, CA where she conducted her final thesis project on the impact of constructivist technology tools on second language learner’s writing.
Laurie Doran is an artist, & arts educator. Passionate about art, technology
and the intersection of the two. The classroom Is a place to nurture imagination and curiosity, while making learning relevant and fun. She seeks to make connection to community, advocating for the arts to educate, enlighten & connect. ADE2019
Technology Integration Coach
Anthony Dunn is a Technology Integration Coach (Prek12) for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He works primarily with teachers in the elementary, secondary and schools of special education in Delaware and Philadelphia Counties. He loves helping them to learn and collaborate to effectively use technology with their students.
Prior to joining the AoPTech Team, Anthony spent ten years as a middle school (ELA and Social Studies) and Technology (K-8) teacher. He is a proud alumnus of Desales University, and he hold PA Certifications for Elementary (K-6), Special (N-12) and Secondary Social Studies (7-12) Education.
Instructional Technology Consultant
Jessie Erickson is current acting District Assessment Coordinator for Grand Forks Public Schools and serves as an EdTech Consultant providing professional development for EdTech platforms and technology integration. Jessie holds Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Specialist Diploma in Educational Leadership. She has had the opportunity to work with the students and staff as a teacher, Building Resource Coordinator, Instructional Coach and Curriculum Technology Partner within the Grand Forks Public Schools and Grand Forks Air Force Base School Districts.
She loves facilitating opportunities that ignite all learners to become passionate about leading and learning.
Digital Learning Specialist
Jennifer Hall is a veteran educator, trainer, speaker, and creator. A National Board Certified Teacher, ISTE Certified Educator, Certified Google Innovator and Trainer as well as Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Jen serves as an Educational Technology Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools Instructional Technology Department.
Jen collaborates with teachers to effectively integrate technology in standards-based lessons, provides targeted school-based training, and facilitates relevant district-wide professional development.
Jen created TechTips411.com to share apps, tools, resources, ideas, quick tips, tutorials, and live-streamed professional development. Jen is passionate about the effective integration of instructional technology and fostering the engagement of diverse learners.
Cathy Houchin has been teaching for over 40 years. As an elementary music teacher, Cathy loves infusing technology into her classes. She has presented at many conferences including ISTE, FETC, SLATE, TEAC,MACUL and WMEA. For many years, Cathy volunteered with ISTE'S Art and Technology PLN and served in many capacities including president. Currently, she is semi-retired and teaching part-time for the district's eCampus as a special
coordinator.
Editor, Creative Educator
Melinda is the Editor of Creative Educator magazine and the Deputy Director of the Constructivist Consortium. Melinda is also one of the founders of Tech4Learning. For the past 20 years, Melinda has led workshops at schools around the world and made hundreds of presentations at education conferences, such as ASCD and ISTE, on the topics of creativity, project-based learning, and open-ended technologies. She has been a featured speaker or keynote at MACUL, VSTE, MICCA, and ISTE.
Technology Director
Drayton Public School/NDATL President
I am a technology director at a small rural ND school. I have been in the TD position for 16 years and am excited to work as a Greeter for the conference.
Educational Technology Coach
Rita Mortenson is the Educational Technology Coach for Verona Area High School, in Verona, Wisconsin. She is an ISTE Certified Educator, Discovery Education Leadership Council Member, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator, and is a National Board Certified Teacher with an MBA Degree. She enjoys working and collaborating with staff and students to create opportunities for all.
Tricia has over eight years of teacher coaching and curriculum development experience, and 15 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator. As an educator, Tricia focuses on building the whole child, one who understands compassion and kindness and is academically proficient. Her areas of expertise include coaching teachers on best practices in enhancing the classroom experience, as well as professional development, technology integration and STEM. Tricia is also a competitive gymnastics coach and dance teacher.
Session description
Join us to learn engaging ways to incorporate STEAM, the arts and technology into all curricular areas. This fun, energized, hands-on playground will fill your bucket with so many ideas! Come to learn, explore, share and connect with us!
Purpose & objective
Our Arts and Technology Playground is intended to be inclusive and celebrate multiple approaches and points of view. We believe diversity drives innovation and builds a culture where difference is valued.
The purpose is to share tools, projects, and best practices in an inviting hands on environment to aid educators in integrating the materials into their teaching easily.
Educators will explore digital tools that will help students to create, innovate and share using multi-media tools and resources. We will explore a variety of platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media that can be used in a variety of curricular areas.
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Outline
The playground will have a variety of presenters sharing on a variety of STEAM, Arts and Technology tools and resources.
The playground will have approximately 6 - 7 stations. Participants can rotate and explore each station as long as they would like.
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Supporting research
New Study Gives Guidance on STEAM Education Integration. https://www.education.pitt.edu/news-and-media/new-study-gives-guidance-steam-education-integration
Exploring the Effectiveness of STEAM-Based Courses on Junior High School Students’ Scientific Creativity. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2021.666792/full
Why The Arts Matter
https://www.arts.gov/art-works/2015/why-arts-matter
Do Schools Kill Creativity?
https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
A review of the effect of integrated STEM or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education in South Korea. https://apse-journal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41029-019-0034-y
Why study art?
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/talking-point/why-study-art
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Explore and create: Playground 
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