Laura is a NYC Public Schools alumna and educator with 20+ years of experience as a teacher of Career and Technical Education, Art, and English. As an Ed Tech Teacher Team Leader in the Division of Instructional and Information Technology for the past five school years, Laura is involved in multiple ed tech initiatives supporting Ed Tech Model Teachers and school leaders to build capacity. Laura has a background in media production and media literacy, and collaborates with global educators through knowledge exchanges and intervisitations.
As a high school special educator, RJ Circle Keeper, certified Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher through YMTP2 and Reiki Practitioner, along with holder of a multitude of digital certifications, Robyn is an advocate for the use of technology in education along with mindfulness in schools. She is a recipient of the #NYCSchoolsTech Award, Brooklyn HS Superintendents Champion Award for Digital Innovation in the Classroom, and Excellence in Remote Learning. She hosts the NYC Google Educator Group through #NYCSchoolsTech Meetups, is an Edcamp organizer, and leads her school’s Ed Tech team.
JoJo Farrell is an experienced educator who worked for NYC Public Schools for 13 years as a teacher, EdTech Coach, and district leader. He currently teaches aspiring teachers in Brooklyn College's School of Education. He's now on Google's education team, where he supports districts in the northeast using Google. Before becoming an educator, JoJo worked as a journalist and radio reporter in Oakland, California and as a program director for Global Exchange where he led programs in Latin America. JoJo and his wife have three children and they live in Brooklyn, NY.
After moonlighting as a DJ in New York, Santi went on to help start a school, launch a digital portfolio app, and create Project Recess, an ed tech consultancy focused on supporting schools in using new and emerging technologies. Santi is a Google for Education Certified Innovator and Our Voice Academy fellow.
Kerry McGarvey is a STEM & Technology teacher at PS24Q in New York City. Kerry also provides technical support to students, families, and teachers. In addition to her work in her school she also works as a #NYCSchools tech trainer to help run Apple After Hours, the Apple Teacher Certification, and other events. As a result of this work she was named an Apple Distinguished Educator and her school was named an Apple Distinguished School.
Jose began his career as a Special Education Teacher with expertise in instructional technology. After 6 years in the classroom, Jose held positions as a school based instructional technology coach and an instructional technology Coordinator for NYC Magnet Schools Assistance Program. In February 2020, he joined DIIT as an Ed Tech Implementation Manager charged with supporting schools citywide with the integration of technology with instruction. In September 2021, Jose transitioned to the Instructional Enterprise Technology team as a Deputy Director of Instructional & Enterprise Technology Team. Jose’s focus is teacher engagement around Enterprise tools and professional development.
Session description
From introducing new technology in individual schools to offering districtwide micro-certifications and citywide edtech meetups, leveraging partnerships with edtech companies can provide innovative professional learning opportunities and create niche professional learning communities.
Grade level: Not applicable
Skill level: Beginner
Purpose & objective
Session participants will be able to: Understand how collaborating with educational technology companies can enhance their professional learning communities Dig into resources to find, create or enhance professional learning communities Construct a, "what to do next" plan to get engaged in or level up a professional learning community Understand how to use the unconference style to provide participants with a choose your own adventure style of professional learning See how providing collaborative PLCs benefits both the person in education and learner outcomes.
Intro - Background and introductions, stated outcomes
What are PLCs - We will explore the research behind the power of professional learning communities and the outcomes they provide for the educators and learners
Panel Chat - Panelists will explain the type of PLCs they host/are involved in and give an overview of their meetup styles - Panelists will talk about how the partnerships began - Panelists will discuss how the partnerships have evolved, including going from fully in-person meetups, to fully online during remote learning and hybrid meetups -Panelists will speak to improving and creating new partnerships -Panelists will share presentations that give visuals as to the PLCs they have hosted/participated in recently
Audience Immersion -Participants are given choice stations to chat with EdTech Partners in groups, learn about their work, network and create relationships -This setup will be "choose your own adventure" style
Audience Questions - We will answer questions participants have
Conclusion/Call to Action - We will go through next steps, and how to take what we have learned here back with us.
4 Benefits of an Active Professional Learning Community https://www.iste.org/explore/professional-development/4-benefits-active-professional-learning-community#:~:text=PLCs%20allow%20educators%20opportunities%20to,learning%20and%20drive%20student%20achievement.
Professional Learning Communities Can ‘Unleash the Learning!’ https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-plcs-can-unleash-the-learning/2021/04
Smartphone: Android, iOS, Windows Laptop: Chromebook, Mac, PC Tablet: Android, iOS, Windows
ISTE Standards:
For Coaches: Professional Learning Facilitator
Evaluate the impact of professional learning and continually make improvements in order to meet the schoolwide vision for using technology for high-impact teaching and learning.
For Education Leaders: Connected Learner
Develop the skills needed to lead and navigate change, advance systems and promote a mindset of continuous improvement for how technology can improve learning.
For Educators: Collaborator
Dedicate planning time to collaborate with colleagues to create authentic learning experiences that leverage technology.
Streaming Session
Recorded Session
Listen and learn : Panel
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