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Are you familiar with the CNYRIC’s Technology and Leadership Keynote Series (TALKS)? It brings experts in educational technology to Central New York to inspire, teach, and share the very best in technology leadership and integration strategies. TALKS is a series of events held over the course of the school year, with a unifying theme that highlights a current trend in education. For the 2018-19 school year, the focus has centered on hands-on learning in the classroom, versus the more traditional "sit and get" lecture methods. We have focused on allowing students to become creators, rather than just idle consumers of information.
The first TALKS event of the year was held this fall at The Tech Garden in Syracuse, where we explored all of the exciting things happening in the greater Syracuse area regarding technology careers and opportunities for students. We heard from the Museum of Science & Technology’s (MOST) Dr. Peter Plumley, who talked about the various programs happening at the MOST that encourage students to “learn through doing,” rather than passively consuming information. We also heard from The Tech Garden’s Jonathan Parry, who discussed the possibility of a drone corridor being created between Syracuse and the Griffiss Air Force base, and what that development could mean for the area. Finally, we heard from Ed Lavine, a teacher in the Syracuse City School District who has been using drones in the classroom to teach his students, having recently developed a drone curriculum that incorporates many different areas of study.
Our next TALKS event will be held at the Fayetteville Free Library on Mar. 1, and will feature a panel of teachers from the area that are doing some exciting things in their classrooms to encourage hands-on discovery. We will also hear from Mike Cimino (Technology Innovation and Integration Specialist at the Fayetteville Free Library) about some of the innovative projects that are happening at the library, and take a tour of its Fab Lab Maker Space.
Our third and final event of the school year is tentatively scheduled for May 9, and will feature the OCM BOCES Innovation Tech program. Principal Gretchen Belanger will be on hand to talk about all the some of the exciting things the program has to offer, and some of the school’s seniors will be there to offer firsthand accounts of their experiences in the classroom. There will also be a tour of the premises, so visitors can see some of the great things happening throughout the building!
To learn more about the TALKS series, check out the CNYRIC’s TALKS page for more event information, or to see recaps of TALKing Points from past years. To register for the upcoming Fayetteville Free Library event click here, or sign up for this spring's Innovation Tech event by clicking here. Have a question about TALKS? Contact Jason Clark at 315.362.2682
