Technology in the Classroom, What Works and Why

As technology in the classroom continues to play a growing role in primary and secondary education, SUNY Empire State College’s School for Graduate Studies and the Saratoga Springs City School District continue to collaborate to better understand what work best for students.

“Online Math Made Easier,” “Memes to Teach Critical Literacy,” “Things that Cost Less and Do More: Open Education Resources,” and “Distance Learning in the Visual Arts, Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Work,” were among the presentation at the fourth annual Learning with Innovative Technology Conference, sponsored again this year by the college and the district.

“Bringing teachers, scholars, and practitioners together to share knowledge about the effective use of educational technologies results in a more enriching learning experience for students across all levels of education,” said Nathan Gonyea, dean of the college’s School for Graduate Studies.

Students and faculty from SUNY Empire’s School for Graduate Studies’ Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning and Master of Arts in Learning and Emerging Technologies programs joined nearly 300 other educators from primary, middle and secondary schools, BOCES, private colleges and universities, private-sector technology and publishing companies and from many SUNY community college, college and university campuses.

LIT Conference attendees reflect the broad spectrum of modern educators, including K-12 teachers, higher-education faculty, instructional designers, technologists, librarians and other professionals interested in the use of technologies in education.

“Learning about technology in the classroom from another perspective better informs the important work we do with students every day,” said Christine Paige, SUNY Empire State College’s director of instructional design and a conference chair. “SUNY Empire students and faculty bring what they have learned back to the college to enhance teaching and learning in our graduate education programs.”

The conference was organized by School for Graduate Studies Instructional Designer Sarah Carter, Coordinator of Curriculum Jennifer Nettleton, Associate Professor Heather Reynolds, Interim Assistant Director of Instructional Design Alena Rodick, who presented “Going Beyond Intuition: ‘4 Shifts Protocol’ Tool for Informed Integration of Technology into Instruction,” Secretary 1 Katherine Scacchetti as well as Gonyea and Paige.

Organizers from the district include Assistant Superintendent of Information Technology and Operational Innovation David L’Hommedieu and Educational Technology Specialist Kendra Astemborski, who presented “AV/VR Impacting General and Special Education Classrooms” at conference, IT Support Specialist Lucas Manny, Head Custodian Rodney Priester and his team, and Computer Support Technician Sean Daugherty.

Many K-12 participants are eligible to receive Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours from the New York State Education Department for attending the daylong conference.

The conference took place at the district’s Maple Avenue Middle School campus on July 12. Planning for the 2020 conference already is underway.