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6/27/2012 - Judson College Education Department hosts technology conference for area educators 
Approximately 100 teachers representing five counties in Alabama came with enthusiasm the Judson College Education Department’s Effective Use of Technology for Teaching and Learning conference. Attendees left the conference with optimism and renewed commitment to using technologies to support instructional goals. In EducateAL continuum documents, teachers expressed interest in learning how to integrate technology appropriately and meaningfully in classroom instruction, and this conference was designed to meet this need. The Department of Education hosted the technology conference on the Judson college campus on Friday, June, 1, 2012, and was supported financially in its efforts by Judson College and Wells Fargo. Presenters from Alabama State Department of Education Technology Division, Saraland City Schools, Hoover City Schools, and the Perry County School District focused on using computers as learning tools for teachers and students. Presentations also offered ways to enrich student learning with various technologies and addressed legal and ethical issues associated with technology. The keynote speaker for the conference was Ms. Sherrill Paris, Deputy Superintendent of Education for Alabama. She stated that her connection to the topic of technology was of great interest to her personally because she earned her teacher certification by completing distance learning classes offered by Judson College in the early 1970s. In her address, Ms. Parris noted that Judson College was on the cutting edge of a new frontier of learning over 40 years earlier and that that vision of classroom delivery of instruction continues to change the way information is delivered in today’s classrooms.
The Department of Education at Judson College actively pursues long-standing commitments to provide professional development opportunities that meet the needs of educators in its partnership schools. Dr. Gwen McCorquodale, Chair of the Department of Education, stated, “The title of our conference was named by Superintendent Heard of Perry County School District because he recognized the importance of supporting teachers in this area of instruction.” In the closing session, Superintendent Heard challenged the educators to “focus on ways to actively engage children in learning. Technology is a powerful tool to build student engagement, and engagement leads to learning. We must use all the tools we can to ensure student success.”
According to reviews and evaluations of the conference, presenters and teachers agreed that the concurrent sessions were empowering and that general sessions were inspirational. A general rubric designed to assess the opening session, overall objectives, and concurrent sessions consistently showed a 95% ranking of excellent in each category from the participants. Participants were also encouraged to mark or write key phrases that summarized the conference. Examples of responses included: appropriate delivery techniques, aligned with district curriculum, and innovative presenters with information for classroom experiences. One attendee wrote, “The conference was very well planned, organized, and delivered. The only downside was that too many great choices made it hard to decide.” This learning experience was overwhelmingly positive and, as ratings confirmed, will impact teaching and learning in Alabama schools in significant ways.
Photo: Ms. Sherrill Parris, Alabama Deputy State Superintendent of Education delivered the conference's keynote address. Parris urged attendees to learn and use all the technology available for teachers. "Technology is one of the most powerful tools we have," she said. Photo by Mary Amelia Taylor.
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