KEARNEY – Educators can learn more about computer science, computational thinking and ways to use technology in the classroom during an upcoming event hosted by the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
UNK’s Tech Edge Spring Conference – “Innovation, Technology and Computer Science in Education” – is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the College of Education building. The conference includes 10 sessions covering a variety of technology- and instruction-related topics, from mobile devices and Google tools to cybersecurity and distance learning.
“This event will benefit preservice and practicing teachers, teacher educators, professors, administrators and just about anyone involved in education. Tech Edge is about innovation at all levels,” said professor Sherri Harms, chair of UNK’s Cyber Systems Department.
Keynote speakers are Chery Lucarelli, facilitator of educational innovation at the National Center for Computer Science Education and a professor and chair of graduate education programs at the College of St. Scholastica, and Jennifer Rosato, director of the National Center for Computer Science Education.
Their presentation, “CSforAll Students = CSforAll Teachers: Driving Educational Change,” focuses on the national movement promoting computer science literacy for all K-12 students and the need to support educators in this effort. Lucarelli and Rosato will also present a pair of sessions on “Computational Thinking in Action,” a hands-on introduction to computational thinking and computer science concepts.
“Our keynote speakers are leaders in their field and will inspire educators to think of new ways to transform teaching and innovate learning for all students,” Harms said.
The conference is free to attend, but participants must register at https://cehs.unl.edu/tlte/techedge/registration-sp-2019/
Sponsors are UNK’s College of Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Technology Education in Digital and Global Environments (EDGE), Google and Code.org.
For detailed descriptions of all presentations, visit www.unk.edu/techedge
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Registration and continental breakfast (College of Education atrium)
8:30-8:45 a.m.
Welcome address by UNK College of Education Dean Sheryl Feinstein (College of Education atrium)
8:45-9:30 a.m.
“CSforAll Students = CSforAll Teachers: Driving Educational Change,” keynote speakers Chery Lucarelli, facilitator of educational innovation at the National Center for Computer Science Education, and Jennifer Rosato, director of the National Center for Computer Science Education (College of Education atrium)
9:45-10:30 a.m.
– “Take a Look into a Blended Learning Classroom,” Beth Kabes, director of blended and distance learning, ESU Coordinating Council (Flexible room)
– “Management of Technology in the Classroom,” Brett Kluver, middle school math and reading teacher, Gibbon Public Schools (Conference room 154)
– “Unplug It, Block It and Build It: Computational Thinking in Action Part 1,” Chery Lucarelli and Jennifer Rosato (C104 computer lab)
10:45-11:30 a.m.
– “Cybersecurity for every classroom,” Matt Miller, assistant professor, UNK Cyber Systems Department (Flexible room)
– “Designing and Managing MOOCs,” Analisa McMillan, director of distance learning, and Peggy Moore, director of e-learning, University of Nebraska Medical Center (Conference room 154)
– “Unplug It, Block It and Build It: Computational Thinking in Action Part 2,” Chery Lucarelli and Jennifer Rosato (C104 computer lab)
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
– “Giving Your Students the EDGE with Computer Science,” Chase Christensen, Overton High School; Darren Hanson, Lexington High School; and Randa Felske, Cedar Hollow School (Flexible room)
– “CS in a Box,” Sherri Harms, chair, UNK Cyber Systems Department (Conference room 154)
– “Put learning on the map with Google Earth, Tour Builder and other mapping tools from Google,” Noah Journey, UNK secondary education major; Ashley Pachta, UNK elementary education major; and Martonia Gaskill, UNK assistant professor of education (C104 computer lab)
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Lunch (Conference rooms 154, 155 and 156)
