Tech conference to be held for education professionals

The Southeast Regional Professional Development Center will host a daylong technology conference July 21 at the University Center, where area educators and school administrators will learn more about using up-to-date technology in schools.

"We had about 120 people who attended last year, so we're hoping this year is even bigger," said Stephanie Kuper, instructional technology specialist for the development center.

The Ed-Tech Conference will begin at 9 a.m. with keynote speaker Patti Jones, who is a technology director at the Senath-Hornersville School District in Senath, Missouri.

After hearing from the speaker, participants will choose from more than 20 breakout sessions held throughout the day.

The sessions include topics such as Google apps, Google Forms, iPad apps and other free technology resources for teachers, Kuper said.

Participants are asked to bring their own devices, with iPads, Chromebooks, Macs and PCs all welcome. Wi-Fi will be provided.

The development center used to host the conference regularly but had stopped in recent years when the center didn't have an instructional technology specialist. When Kuper assumed the role two years ago, she brought the conference back.

"I feel like it's probably come back bigger and better than ever, since there is such a strong push for technology in our K-12 classrooms," she said.

"There are a lot of schools in the area going 1:1. We need to stay current and provide them the information they need."

The conference, Kuper said, is for teachers -- who implement technology in the classroom -- as well as administrators, technology directors and students from area colleges of education.

"We have a lot of student teachers at SEMO who are going to be coming," she said. "They're getting ready to go into the classrooms as well."

Rita Fisher, director of the center, said the goal is for all students to have opportunities to use 21st-century tools to expand their learning.

Fisher said there's something at the conference for all participants, "whether a school district has one computer in the classroom or whether they're 1:1 for each student."

The conference ends at 3:30 p.m. and is free to faculty and students at Southeast Missouri State University.

For members of the development center, the cost to attend is $150, and for nonmembers, the cost is $250.

For more information and to register, visit www4.semo.edu/rpdc and click the technology tab.

klamb@semissourian.com

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