Ocean City, MD - The 12th annual Common Ground Conference, scheduled for March 21-23, 2025, in Ocean City, MD, is proud to announce the opening of the Call for Proposals for its newly added research-sharing component. Sponsored by the MSET Higher Ed PLN, this year's research event aims to provide a dynamic platform for academicians, researchers, managers, industrial participants, and students to present their research findings to a regional audience.

Conference Details:

• Event: 12th Annual Common Ground Conference
• Dates: March 21-23, 2025
• Location: Ocean City, MD

Research Event Submission Details:

The research event will feature two main submission types:

1. Oral Presentation:

   • Description: A concise presentation (10 to 15 minutes) based on a paper focused on research or scholarly work. Action research submissions are encouraged.
   • Requirements:
     • Paper free of author-identifying information.
     • Length: 2,000 – 2,500 words (excluding figures, tables, and references).
     • Formatting: Times New Roman, 12-point font, double spaced, 1-inch margins.
   • Strands: Leadership, Teaching and Learning, School Culture and Climate, Educate and Innovate with Technology, Computing Education, Library Media.

2. Interactive Roundtable Discussion (IRD):

   • Description: Brief, stimulating small group discussions facilitated by the presenter, focusing on one of the conference strands.
   • Requirements:
     • Abstract free of author-identifying information.
     • Length: 250 – 500 words.
     • Formatting: Times New Roman, 12-point font, double spaced, 1-inch margins.
   • Strands: Leadership, Teaching and Learning, School Culture and Climate, Educate and Innovate with Technology, Computing Education, Library Media.

Submission Deadline: October 30, 2024, by 5 PM EST

Important Reminders:

• All presenters are required to register and pay the conference fees by the deadline noted in the acceptance email.
• The conference does not provide honoraria, reimburse expenses, or waive/discount registration fees for presenters.
• All listed presenters must consent to be part of the proposal prior to submission and be aware of the registration requirement.

For questions or assistance with the Call for Papers, please contact Dr. Brian Cook at bjcook@salisbury.edu or Dr. James Fox at jtfox@salisbury.edu.

We look forward to your submissions and to another successful year of advancing education theory and practice at the Common Ground Conference.

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is pleased to announce Shavaun Hawkins, a technology teacher at Wind Farm Elementary School in Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AAPSS), as the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Educator Using Technology Award. This esteemed recognition celebrates Shavaun’s exceptional contributions to technology integration in education and her unwavering dedication to empowering students through innovative teaching practices.

The MSET Outstanding Educator Using Technology Award acknowledges educators who demonstrate exemplary use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Hawkins’ remarkable achievements and her commitment to leveraging technology in the classroom made her the clear choice for this prestigious honor.

"We are thrilled to have so many talented finalists this year. It’s such a difficult decision for the panel to decide on because of talent, time, and effort each of the finalists put into their respective schools,” expressed Chris Cuppett, MSET's Awards co-chair. " Shavaun's dedication to empowering her elementary students has truly allowed taught them foundational skills that can be transferred across platforms and grade levels for years to come. Her ability to elevate her students’ work through technology integration is second to none.”

A former administrator of Hawkins commented, “Ms. Hawkins was constantly looking for opportunities to infuse technology into her instruction, working to challenge herself to be innovative in her position as a grade 4 teacher. This was evident in not only classroom instruction during the day, but extra curricular activities and other initiatives.”

In her school district, Ms. Hawkins serves as her school’s eCoach to support teachers with the integration of digital tools and educational resources. As the eCoach, Ms. Hawkins has logged many hours in learning new materials including applications and tools for learning, presenting and training a variety of technology content at the school and district level, creating materials and resources for herself and others utilizing many technology programs, and using technology effectively to communicate. Ms. Hawkins firmly believes that the more she participates in technology leadership opportunities, the more tools and knowledge she will possess to impact student learning in her classroom and beyond. Parent Jaime Foster commented, “Ms. Hawkins was one of the only teachers whose students were regularly utilizing appropriate online platforms for research, presentation, and turning in assignments. I was always so impressed that my then 4th grade child could make interactive slide presentations, scan documents to turn them in, and use a variety of other technologies to support their work. I learned some new things that I have used in my own profession that my children taught me through their online class work with Ms. Hawkins.” 

As a frequent user of a variety of digital programs like Wixie, Discovery Education, Minecraft for Education and tools like Math App, the Google Suite, WeVideo, to name a few, Ms. Hawkins is very confident in analyzing and selecting the most appropriate tools for instruction within her classroom. For example, her students learned how to combine applications like create illustrations using Pixton, a comic designing tool paired with audio support for visual and auditory learners; or to develop interactive Google Slides with Wixie templates, and record videos through WeVideo to upload and share their content to demonstrate their learning.

Many of her students get excited about using technology applications as creative options to showcase their learning. When asked why he liked integrated technology activity options over traditional activities, one of her students said, “Using technology helps me to be more creative over paper and pencil tasks. I like having the ability to choose how I demonstrate my learning!” Another student said, “Ms.Hawkins is a great teacher who made learning fun through the use of technology. She put so much effort into just learning how to use these sites for us.” When talking to families about their student’s in Ms. Hawkins’ class a common sentiment is evident. A longtime parent wrote, “Both of my children have benefited from the influence of Ms. Hawkins, not only becoming completely comfortable with technology, but looking for ways to incorporate it into their learning, long after leaving her classroom.” Another added, “Our family (all four children) has had the pleasure of experiencing the positive impacts of Ms. Hawkins’ teachings—her global perspective that helps students be curious, connect the dots and see things from different perspectives through the use of technology tools. 

Hawkins utilizes available technology to analyze digital assessment data to differentiate learning opportunities for her students. Whether in collaborative planning by school or grade-level, or within her own classroom, Hawkins is always open minded about finding ways to include digital learning. For example, she contributed to the school improvement plan by developing an online assignment for her grade level by using universal domain specific words to create an activity where all students, regardless of academic level could respond to a writing activity using a system of supports like a listening library, digital vocabulary, and sentence frame as needed. In addition, she frequently uses diagnostic assessments taken digitally to form small groups for instruction and assign independent tasks for learning.

To add on to being a technology resource for her students and their families, Hawkins is an instructional technology resource for her colleagues and other educational professionals. She often shares her ideas of how to use appropriate programs and create technology enhanced lessons. Ever since the onset of virtual learning in 2020, Hawkins has managed an online content sharing social media page and a district Google Drive. One teacher who used the resources from the shared drive stated, “I sincerely appreciate this drive. I wanted to share the love with my fellow colleagues knowing how much easier it has made my life.” A fellow co-worker also shared, “When schools went full virtual, Ms. Hawkins adapted to the new demands for her own students, but was always available to support me and my students. I have been able to stay current due to the guidance and support of Ms. Hawkins.”

 

 

 

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is proud to announce the finalists for its annual Outstanding Educator Award. This award recognizes one educator for his or her use of educational technology in the teaching and learning process in Maryland schools. The award supports MSET’s Mission for advancing excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology.  

“MSET is proud to have seven amazing educators who exemplify teaching and learning with technology as our finalists this year,” MSET Awards Chair Chris Cuppett indicated. “Each of these educators have amazing stories about how they are supporting students and challenging the status quo. Maryland is fortunate to have these educators working with students.”

Here are the four finalists:

SHAVAUN HAWKINS, eCoach at Windsor Farms Elementary School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools — Shavaun epitomizes the integration of technology in education to enhance learning experiences. She actively explores and incorporates various digital tools and educational resources in her classroom, serving as an eCoach in her district to support teachers with digital integration. Her commitment to professional development is evidenced by her membership in technology professional learning communities and pursuit of certifications. Hawkins leverages technology not only to impact student learning positively but also to facilitate communication within her professional network. Praised by administrators, parents, and colleagues alike, she is recognized for her innovative use of technology to make learning engaging and accessible for students. Her efforts extend beyond the classroom, contributing to school improvement plans and providing invaluable resources for colleagues adapting to virtual learning environments.

PAM LAUER, Science Teacher at Snow Hill High School, Worcester County Public Schools — Pam is continuously looking for opportunities to elevate her students ability to make meaning in her science classes through creating. Her pioneering use of Apple iPads in the classroom has revolutionized how students learn, offering them a dynamic platform for creative expression and exploration. Lauer's teaching transcends traditional educational boundaries, transforming her classroom into a hub of creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Beyond her instructional role, she serves as a mentor and advocate for technological integration, providing valuable professional development to her peers. Her optimistic and passionate approach not only enhances academic achievements but also empowers students with essential 21st-century skills.

STACEY PHILLIPS, Library Media and Technology Specialist at Fort Smallwood Elementary School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools — With Stacey’s focus on preparing students for lifelong learning in the 21st century and fostering responsible, ethical citizenship, she excels in integrating technology into education. As the manager of the school's website and media platforms, she engage families with informative videos and events, earning high praise from parents for bridging the connection between home and school learning. Plus, her efforts extend to developing district-wide curricular resources, tailored to meet evolving educational standards and incorporating innovative teaching methods. Additionally, her volunteer work at the Riviera Beach public library showcases a commitment to community education, enhancing digital literacy for career and educational advancement. Through collaboration with educators, the Phillips promotes engaging, technology-enhanced learning experiences that encourage critical thinking and creative problem-solving among students.

MARCUS ZUMWALT, Library Media Specialist at three different schools in Anne Arundel County Public Schools — Marcus’ innovative approach encompasses introducing young learners to technology through coding and robotics at an elementary school, enhancing middle school experiences with audio-visual projects and Science STEAM programs, and engaging alternative school students in creating digital content and 3D printing projects. Marcus's dedication extends beyond student interaction, emphasizing digital citizenship and leveraging technology to accommodate diverse learning needs. His leadership in professional development, commitment to digital learning standards, and efforts in securing technology resources demonstrate a profound impact on creating future-ready students. Through his work, Zumwalt exemplifies how technology, thoughtfully applied, transcends traditional learning paradigms, fostering an inclusive, dynamic, and engaging educational atmosphere.

#MSETawards

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology has announced its 2023-2024 monthly themes. The themes were chosen with input from its more than 2,000 members.

"Each year we try to offer professional learning that meets the needs of our members across the state and those who support us beyond our Maryland border," MSET President Brandie Shatto explained. "We got a lot of great feedback this summer after our Book Study conversations with educators from multiple levels. We took that feedback and attempted to make themes that would be relevant to our members."

The themes include the following:

• September 2023: Student-Centered
• October 2023: Cybersecurity Awareness
• November 2023: Artificial Intelligence
• December 2023: Mobile Device Appreciation
• January 2024: AR/VR/XR
• February 2024: In LOVE with Digital Tools
• March 2024: Computer Science/Computational Thinking
• April 2024: Robotics

Check out MSET's monthly events page as it offers different webinars each month to support its themes.

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is pleased to announce Michelle Baker, a technology teacher at Longfellow Elementary School in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), as the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Educator Using Technology Award. This esteemed recognition celebrates Michelle's exceptional contributions to technology integration in education and her unwavering dedication to empowering students through innovative teaching practices.

The MSET Outstanding Educator Using Technology Award, sponsored by Bluum, acknowledges educators who demonstrate exemplary use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Baker's remarkable achievements and her commitment to leveraging technology in the classroom made her the clear choice for this prestigious honor.

"We are thrilled to recognize Michelle as an exceptional educator who exemplifies innovation in educational technology," expressed Chris Cuppett, MSET's Awards co-chair. "Michelle's dedication to empowering her graduate students to leverage technology in their teaching practices is truly commendable. Her influence on her students has a far-reaching impact that extends beyond the classroom."

With over 27 years of experience in education, Baker holds a Master's degree in Library Media/Instructional Technology with an Administration and Supervision Certificate. Her extensive background and expertise have enabled her to create a lasting impact on technology use in her educational community.

As a technology teacher at Longfellow Elementary School, Michelle provides students from PreK to 5th grade with 30 to 60 minutes of direct instruction. Through her engaging lessons, she covers a wide range of topics, including digital citizenship, computational thinking, coding, collaboration, communication, and foundational technology skills. Michelle incorporates various digital tools and platforms, offering students multiple avenues to demonstrate their learning and skills.

One of Michelle's notable achievements is her commitment to fostering equity and empowerment among her students. She has developed a rapport with her students and has organized enrichment and leadership experiences beyond regular classes. Projects such as 3D printing initiatives and peer helper partnerships have allowed older students to assist younger grades during technology classes. Michelle's dedication and passion for equity guide her every action, ensuring that students at Longfellow Elementary leave with coding experience, proficiency in applications, and high-level computational thinking skills.

Michelle's influence extends beyond her classroom as she actively collaborates with her colleagues to support their integration of technology into their teaching practices. She provides guidance, professional development sessions, and assists in planning how technology can enhance their instruction. Michelle's commitment to innovation is evident in her collaborative projects with Longfellow's library media specialist, where students create videos of book reviews to challenge censorship and share their thoughts on banned books.

In her quest for continuous improvement, Michelle actively seeks out new ideas, projects, and technologies to incorporate into her teaching. She attends conferences, engages in discussions with colleagues, and explores emerging technologies to discover their potential for enhancing learning experiences. By actively experimenting with new tools and applications, Michelle finds innovative ways to integrate technology effectively.

Michelle's passion for sharing knowledge and inspiring others extends beyond her classroom. She incorporates a wide variety of digital tools in her lessons, sharing student work with other teachers, families, and through social media platforms. Through presentations at local, state, and national conferences, Michelle disseminates her expertise, providing detailed and purposeful insights that empower fellow educators to implement digital tools effectively.

Furthermore, Michelle Baker plays an indispensable role in Longfellow Elementary's leadership team, where her impact reaches the entire school community. Acting as a member of the Restorative Justice Team, the lead point of contact for the Student Council, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison, she infuses technology into various initiatives and decision-making processes that positively impact the school community.

"Michelle Baker is a leader who embodies the qualities of an outstanding educator using technology," Longfellow Elementary's Principal Derek Anderson stated. "She consistently promotes kindness, unity, and social justice, while encouraging students to use their voices respectfully and thoughtfully."

About Outstanding Educator Award

In partnership with Bluum, The Outstanding Educator Award is given annually to an outstanding educator supports MSET’s mission of advancing excellence in teaching and leading with technology. Any educator in a Maryland public or private school whose primary job responsibility is the direct instruction of students in an Early Childhood through Grade 12 or Higher Education classroom may be nominated. The educator must be currently responsible for the day-to-day instruction of PK-18 students. A nominee for this award may include a library media specialist and/or technology integration specialist, if at least seventy-five percent of his or her responsibilities include the direct instruction of PK-18 age students. 

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is proud to announce that Dr. Sarah Jane Thomas, an esteemed educator from Prince George's County Public Schools, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Leader Award for 2023. Dr. Thomas' remarkable contributions to educational technology and her unwavering commitment to enhancing learning experiences have earned her this esteemed recognition.

The MSET Outstanding Leader Award is bestowed upon an individual who demonstrates exemplary leadership in the field of educational technology and has made significant advancements in the integration of technology within the classroom. Dr. Thomas has exemplified these qualities throughout her career, establishing herself as a visionary leader, an advocate for educational technology, and a catalyst for change.

With over two decades of experience in education, Dr. Thomas has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation to transform teaching and learning practices. As the Regional Coordinator of Educational Technology for Prince George's County Public Schools, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives to ensure students have access to cutting-edge technologies and digital resources. Under her guidance, the district has successfully implemented a wide range of tech-based programs that have positively impacted student engagement, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

Dr. Thomas' leadership has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among educators, administrators, and technology experts, creating a culture of innovation and digital fluency. She has provided extensive professional development opportunities, empowering teachers to integrate technology effectively into their lesson plans and adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Her dedication to equipping both students and teachers with the tools they need to succeed in the 21st century has significantly enriched the educational experience within Prince George's County Public Schools.

Furthermore, Dr. Thomas has actively participated in state and national educational technology conferences, sharing her expertise and insights with a wider audience. Her passion for educational technology is contagious, inspiring others to embrace innovation and explore new possibilities in the realm of teaching and learning.

"Sarah is an exceptional leader in the field of educational technology, and we are thrilled to recognize her remarkable achievements with the MSET Outstanding Leader Award for 2023," said Brandie Shatto, President-Elect of the Maryland Society for Educational Technology. "Her unwavering commitment to leveraging technology to enhance student outcomes and her dedication to empowering educators have made a lasting impact on the entire educational community."

Dr. Thomas' remarkable accomplishments was formally acknowledged during a surprise visit to the Bonnie F. John's Educational Media Center on May 24th. The event brought together educational leaders across PGCPS as well as some past educational technology personnel to celebrate.

About MSET: The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the effective use of technology in education across Maryland. MSET offers professional development opportunities, resources, and networking opportunities to educators, administrators, and technology professionals, fostering collaboration and innovation in the field of educational technology.

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) and Bluum were proud to surprise Notre Dame of Maryland Professor Ryan Schaaf today as its 2022-2023 Outstanding HigherEd Award Winner. For over 25 years, Schaaf has been a beacon of inspiration to both his colleagues and students at prestigious institutions such as Notre Dame of Maryland University and Johns Hopkins University. His leadership and unwavering commitment to promoting the effective use of technology in education have set them apart as a true higher education leader.

“Always eager to expand his knowledge and stay abreast of the latest trends, Ryan consistently seeks out new information and professional learning opportunities,” MSET President Brian Cook shared. “Ryan’s thirst for growth and continuous improvement is evident in his willingness to present at numerous regional and national conferences.”

However, Schaff’s contributions extend far beyond the conference circuit. Through his extensive authorship of seven books, this individual has shared their wealth of knowledge and resources with educators inside and outside of Maryland. His texts, covering topics such as digital-age learning, game-based learning, and education reform.

“As the chair of the Information and Education Technology Committee at Notre Dame of Maryland University, [Schaff] this visionary leader has played a pivotal role in promoting effective policy development and prioritizing budgetary requests for innovative technologies. [Schaaf’s] guidance has brought about the successful implementation of Brightspace, a new learning management system, and has empowered faculty and students to embrace digital tools and enhance their learning experiences,” Lisa Pallett, assistant dean and association professor at Notre Dame of Maryland University, read as she presented Shaaf’s award today.

During the challenging times brought about by the pandemic, Schaaf’s leadership and expertise shone brightly. He selflessly dedicated himself to assisting colleagues in the transition from face-to-face to online learning. Through countless instructional sessions, he mentored and trained his peers, ensuring they were equipped with the necessary digital tools and skills for effective instruction in a virtual environment.

“MSET is very blessed to expand its Awards Program this year to include a HigherEd Award. The amount of high octane candidates was really special, but even more special is how humble they are about their work. They often don’t even realize the impact and the longevity of that impact in their university community and that is no different with Ryan Schaaf,” MSET Awards Co-Chair Chris Cuppett shared. “We are truly blessed to get the opportunity to learn about the work of so many high-level professors throughout the awards program.”

Schaaf will be honored throughout the upcoming year by receiving opportunities to participate in MSET business meetings, serve as featured speakers, and have his work highlighted. Plus, Schaaf received a banner to display at Notre Dame of Maryland University, a complimentary registration for the upcoming Common Ground Conference, and a one-year paid MSET Membership. 

“MSET wants to give a special thank you our team who scored each of the entries,” Tracy Schoene, MSET’s Awards co-chair, shared about the team who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make these awards happen. “We are very fortunate to have dedicated members who are willing to volunteer their time in the Organization.”

About Outstanding Leader Award

In partnership with Bluum, the HigherEd Award is given to an outstanding full-time or part-time faculty member, dean, department chair, or president in the state of Maryland who supports MSET’s mission of advancing excellence in teaching and leading with technology. This person's position can (but not required) be a combination of teaching and administrative duties.

Bluum and the Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is proud to announce the finalists for its annual Outstanding Higher Education Award. This award recognizes a Higher Education professional who has made exemplary contributions to the implementation of technology in Maryland institutions of higher education. It supports MSET’s Mission to advance excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology. 

“MSET has spent a lot of time reengaging the organization with its higher education members and this past year it was determined to add the Outstanding Higher Education Award,” MSET President Brian Cook explained about the new award. “We are excited to have three outstanding educators honored this year from the Higher Ed ranks who exemplify the mission of MSET. Each of these candidates offer a special talent and are leaders in their universities.”

Here are the three finalists:

ALISSA HARRINGTON, Senior Instructional Design Specialist at McDaniel College — Alissa's innovative approach has been instrumental in the adoption of new technologies at McDaniel, contributing to the vitality of faculty and promoting student success.  Since her arrival at McDaniel, Alissa has demonstrated a commitment to supporting faculty and students with effective technology use by publishing a weekly video blog called Tech Tip Tuesday (see artifact 2) each semester. Through this platform, she provides the McDaniel community with up-to-date information on emerging technologies, best practices, and just-in-time technology support. Remarkably, she has not missed a week of publishing a video since her first recording in September 2019. To curate content for Tech Tip Tuesday, Alissa continuously reviews help desk tickets, researches vendor updates, and stays connected on emerging technology practices through her participation in professional networks such as Educause, and the Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC).

Alissa's dedication to technology integration at McDaniel is further demonstrated through her monthly training sessions for faculty. She employs various formats designed to attract faculty participation, including lunch-and-learn sessions called Mind Grub and her popular Friday Appy Hour sessions. She also developed a Summer Technology Challenge to increase faculty engagement and training attendance during the summer months. To her surprise, she had nearly 30 faculty entries and doubled her summer workshop participation.  Her workshop sessions cover a wide range of topics that promote emerging technologies and their potential to enhance teaching and learning. Some of the titles of her recent sessions include "Designing with AI Tools," "Reviving QR Codes: Innovative Applications for Classroom Engagement," and "Custom Learning Paths with Adaptive Release." By creating engaging and lively sessions, Alissa helps to foster a positive and energized learning environment for faculty, encouraging them to actively participate and explore new technologies.

CHELSEA MCCLURE, Lecturer in Secondary and Middle School Education at Towson University — McClure is in the College of Education and incorporates technology in educational settings through her classes, where she consistently has her students use technology for formal assessments throughout class, engagement activities as well as for projects. She also integrates technology and promotes the use of technology in internship placements in her part-time internship and full-time internship classes. The technology is promoted for teacher internships to use in their middle and high school classroom for engagement, collaboration, 21^st century skills, and incorporating different learning styles. Overall, she plans, promotes, and engages students and teacher candidates in the use of technology for the purpose of improving the educational setting.  

McClure also impacts the educational community through her grant-funded project promoting the use of technology in teacher education. The first example is through her grant -unded project using virtual simulations to engage teacher candidates in guardian-teacher conferences to build confidence and skills in areas that many students report being an area of need for additional training. She has run this training as a two-day professional learning experience, as well as it being integrated into her course and has received positive feedback from students on how the technology made a significant and positive impact.

RYAN SCHAAF, Associate Professor of Educational Technology at Notre Dame Maryland University —schaaf has personified the definition of higher education leadership by promoting the effective use of technology with his fellow faculty members, as well as students pursuing a wide variety of degrees in teacher preparatory programs. He consistently seeks out new information and professional learning opportunities. He keeps up with the latest trends through education publications and reflects on how he can support innovative learning at NDMU. Throughout his tenure as a professor for the School of Education (SOE), Ryan has shared his extensive wealth of knowledge and resources inside and outside of Maryland. Over the past ten years, Ryan has both attended and presented at a variety of national and regional conferences, including, but not limited to, FETC, ISTE, Serious Play, The Game-Based Learning Virtual Conference, and, of course, Common Ground. Ryan has provided spotlight keynotes at five previous Common Ground conferences in person and virtually during the pandemic. 

Over the past decade, Ryan continuously improves his professional practice through the exploration of creative applications for technology and the consistent evaluation and reflection of current research and methods to maximize student learning by authoring seven books associated with digital-age learning, digital game-based learning, future-focused learning, and promoting learning agency in today’s schools. Making School a Game Worth Playing, Using Digital Games as Assessment and Instruction Tools, and Game On are texts that examine the use of gaming in learning contexts. A Brief History of the Future of Education, Learner Choice, Learner Voice, and Literacy is Still Not Enough are books that explore education reform and modern learning initiatives. Finally, Reinventing Learning for the Always-On Generation, a text that provides a comprehensive profile and framework for teaching members of the digital generations, was awarded the 2016 IPPY Silver Medal for an exemplary educational resource by Independent Publisher. Amazon has often recognized Ryan Schaaf’s texts as hot releases in categories such as education reform, pedagogy, and computers and technology. 

Bluum and the Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is proud to announce the finalists for its annual Outstanding Educator Award. This award recognizes one educator for his or her use of educational technology in the teaching and learning process in Maryland schools. The award supports MSET’s Mission for advancing excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology.  

“MSET is proud to have seven amazing educators who exemplify teaching and learning with technology as our finalists this year,” MSET Awards Chair Chris Cuppett indicated. “Each of these educators have amazing stories about how they are supporting students and challenging the status quo. Maryland is fortunate to have these educators working with students.”

Here are the seven finalist:

MICHELLE BAKER, technology teacher at Longfellow Elementary School, Howard County Public Schools  — Michelle’s work has had a significant positive impact on technology use in her educational community. As a technology teacher, Michelle provides 30 to 60 minutes of direct instruction to students in PreK-5. The students engage in active learning on topics such as digital citizenship, computational thinking, coding, collaboration, communication, and foundational technology skills. She provides opportunities for students to use various digital tools to engage in learning and options to demonstrate their learning in multiple ways.  Thanks to Michelle, students leave Longfellow Elementary with a solid coding experience, proficiency with various applications, and high-level computational thinking skills. 

CHRISTYN DAY, Science Teacher and Advanced Academics Specialist at West Frederick Middle School, Frederick County Public Schools — Christyn is continuously looking for opportunities to improve her professional practice. She is in her second year of the Frederick County Public School Vanguard Leadership program, a program that fosters a culture of personalized learning in teachers’ classrooms and their schools. Plus, Christyn is consistently involved in professional learning experiences that evaluate and reflect on current research and practices to improve student learning in her classroom and school. She is currently in the McDaniel Gifted and Talented Educator Specialist (GATES) Certification program, a program designed for K-12 educators who seek to gain expertise in the field of gifted and talented education.

ERIC HINES, Math Teacher at Laurel High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools — Eric integrates technology in his high school math classrooms encouraging students to create, pushing his students beyond just consumers of technology. Eric believes the integration of technology in academic experiences is imperative as we embark on the “Era of Screens” and the many distractions and interests that impact our students. In every class period, Eric implements different variations of technology to help with multiple learning styles, including image slideshows, interactive slides, multimedia videos, audio experiences, animations, digital whiteboards for hands-on experiences, games, and digital manipulatives.

BEN HURLEY, technology teacher/coach at Washington County Public Schools — Ben is a highly effective educator working in classrooms daily with PreK-12 teachers and students across Washington County Public Schools. He leads and teaches PreK-5 Computer Science Curriculum that is infused within the district’s library media curriculum. He can be seen traveling from school to school teaching the curriculum and being a lead teacher across the district as he is a Regional Facilitator for the Elementary Computer Science Coach program too.

KORAL MCKENNA, science teacher at Anne Arundel County Public Schools — Koral’s magic is her intentionality. It is never just technology for the sake of using it. There is always a specific purpose. Teaching a hybrid class means developing relationships from behind a camera as well as in person, which. McKenna has excelled at doing, and in getting to know each learner, she is able to customize their learning paths. She expertly analyzes content standards and meets those markers with a curriculum that balances hands-on learning experiences, along with virtual labs and projects. Ms. McKenna chooses each activity, both digital and in-person, with specific learning goals and technology education in mind.

ANN PRIZZI, performing arts teacher at Baltimore County Public Schools — Ann believes teachers are people with creative potentials for guiding the development of others. She sees teaching as an art. She is consistently asking herself, How can I become better equipped to deal successfully with the challenge of helping others learn in an ever changing world of technology?  Prizzi uses technology to create positive and productive relationships with students and understand the knowledge and insight into human behavior of how one can contribute to making a climate most favorable to the learner. She says staying visible is not only being seen, but being heard from. Prizzi has very high expectations for herself  as an educational technology leader and wants to lead by example for her students. 

SACHA TAYLOR-BLADES, computer science teacher at Crossland High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools — Sacha is a true leader in integrating technology into her teaching practice. She is constantly seeking out new tools and techniques to enhance student learning and engagement. Whether it's implementing a new coding program, using virtual reality to bring history to life, or creating interactive multimedia projects, Taylor-Blades’ is always exploring new ways to engage students and promote their learning. She has presented at the Prince Georges County Public Schools Powering Up Technology Conference; she is a presenter at the Annual SMARTLab Conference and an Apple Learning Coach Candidate.

#MSETawards

Baltimore, MD - The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is proud to announce a new partnership with ClassLink, a leading provider of cloud-based education solutions. 

MSET is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the effective use of technology in education. MSET provides professional development, networking opportunities, and resources to educators across Maryland to help them effectively integrate technology into their curriculum. ClassLink is a cloud-based education solution that simplifies the use of digital resources for students and teachers.

"We are thrilled to partner with ClassLink to bring cutting-edge technology solutions to our member schools and districts," said Brian Cook, President of MSET. "ClassLink's platform provides a seamless experience for both educators and students, enabling them to access digital resources with ease.”

For more information on MSET and this partnership, please visit msetonline.org.

About Maryland Society for Educational Technology:

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the effective use of technology in education. The society provides professional development, networking opportunities, and resources to educators across Maryland to help them effectively integrate technology into their curriculum.

About ClassLink:

ClassLink is a global education provider of access and analytics products that create more time for learning and help schools better understand digital engagement. As leading advocates for open data standards, we offer instant access to apps and files with single sign-on, streamline class rostering, automate account provisioning, and provide actionable analytics. ClassLink empowers 18 million students and staff in over 2,400 school systems. Visit classlink.com to learn more.