Technology Initiatives
2007 Summer Experience
The Western Illinois University annual College of Education and Human Services
(COEHS) Summer Experience, was held on the campus of Western Illinois Univeristy, July 25-26 and at the Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL, August 2-3 for Illinois-based school teachers.
Sponsored by the Office for Partnerships, Professional Development, and Technology (OPPDT), the program brought together Pre-K-12 teachers and administrators for two days of hands-on technology sessions focused on building student-centered instruction through technology-enhanced classrooms. The 2007 conference featured a Hawaiian theme and provided information for educators on how current and emerging technologies can enhance student learning and help create a classroom paradise.
According to Rodney Greer, COEHS assistant to the dean and Director of OPPDT, participants can enjoy a limbo game or a surf board race on the "SE Island" after learning to create podcasts and movies, develop blogs and wikis, use open source and free technology resources and more. This year’s keynote speaker for the Macomb-based conference was Morrie Reece, Apple Inc.’s senior education development executive.
For the first time in Summer Experience history, the conference was offered in the Chicagoland area. A total of 35 participants enrolled in sessions such as using iPhoto and iMovie in the classroom, podcasting, and developing blogs and wikis for students to collaborate online. The luncheon address was presented by Steve Dembo from Discovery Education. His speech, “The New Permanent Record”, highlighted how educators can guide students on appropriate online activity and how Internet use leaves a trail that can last longer than they expect.
OPPDT facilitates and coordinates cooperative ventures between Western’s College of Education and Human Services and school districts throughout the region. During the school year, the professional development team works with in-service teachers and exchanges ideas that add value to both the school district and the teacher education program at WIU.
"It is important for Western to provide access to innovative methods of instruction for its partner school districts," Greer noted. "The Summer Experience provides such an opportunity where teachers spend two days focused on expanding their instruction in preparation for the coming year."