Not Your Parent's Classroom

Tech-Savvy Teaching Focus of Teacher Showcase
December 7, 2011

A middle school science teacher uses Google Earth to map numerous elements on the periodic table.

A high school history teacher employs a Flickr gallery to analyze Russian propaganda during the Cold War.

A middle school English teacher relies on blogs to stimulate student discussion about reading books.

How novice teachers are integrating technology in their work with students is the focus of a teacher technology showcase at Sonoma State University from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 in Schulz 3001.

The School of Education welcomes local teachers, students and community members to attend the showcase as a way to support novice teachers and engage in dialogue with them about their work.

"The Showcase will be run like a poster session at a conference, allowing students to share with attendees their unit plans, lessons, or activities that incorporate new media technologies, " says Jessica Parker, Assistant Professor in the Curriculum Studies and Secondary Education Department. Parker is the author of Teaching Tech Savvy Kids (http://teachingtechsavvykids.com/). 

Her views and insight on teaching and technology in the 21st century can be viewed at http://teachingtechsavvykids.com/video/teaching-tech-savvy-kids.

"The goal of the Showcase is to highlight how novice teachers are integrating technology in their work with students," she says.

"The focus is not just on the technological tools the teachers are employing but also on the content objectives as well: how are they creating a rich learning environment for students through the integration of this technology. "

The Pre-Service Teacher Technology Showcase has been made possible in part by a gift to the School of Education from Google.

For more information, contact Jessica Parker at (707) 664-3176, jjessica.parker@sonoma.edu.