The Maryland Society of Educational Technology has announced its call to nominate educators for its annual awards program. The three types of awards honor an Outstanding Educator, Outstanding Leader, and Outstanding Higher Education Professional using technology.

“Each year we continue to get many amazing educators across Maryland nominated for one of our awards. This year we decided to add the Outstanding Higher Education Professional award to really place a spotlight on the work our institutions of higher education (IHE) are doing,” MSET President Dr. Brian Cook explained as more and more higher education professionals are joining the organization. “It was the right timing and we’re excited to see the nominations come in.”

Phase one of the Award Program is the nomination window, which is open now through February 15, 2023. An individuals can nominate an educator in any of the three categories on the Awards Page of the MSET Site. Either the nominee or the nominator must be an MSET member.

In Phase two, a nomination packet will be sent to the nominee and the nominator. Nominators and nominees will work together to complete the nomination packet. The nominator will be responsible for writing the nomination statement based on the artifacts that the nominee provides. The nomination packet is due by April 15, 2023.

Winners are surprised at their place of employment in the Spring! Award recipients are given opportunities to participate in MSET business meetings, serve as featured speakers, and have their work highlighted. Each of our winners will receive a banner, a certificate, a complimentary registration for the Common Ground Conference, and a one year paid MSET Membership.

Last Year’s Award Winners

• Outstanding Educator – Irene Bal, Loyola Maryland University
• Outstanding Leader – Derek Anderson, Howard County Public Schools

Washington, DC — The Maryland Society for Educational Technology continue to be at the front of student advocacy as it attended the National Digital Equity Summit at the U.S. Department of Education today. The Office of Educational Technology (OET) reported out on its Digital Equity Education Roundtables (DEER), an initiative that seeks to close the digital divide and enable all learners in PK-12, higher education, and adult education to unlock technology-enabled opportunities for learning and fully participate in a digital society. 

“OET gave a thorough overview of its new Digital Equity plan that it released to the public today,” Advocacy Chair Carmella Doty explained. “Digital equity is more than access to devices. It goes into devices, broadband, proper training, and much, much more. We are excited to see how the state of Maryland is going to comply with the new guidance and how MSET can continue to support this initiative.”

The U.S. Department of Education’s OET leverage its experience in setting the national vision for the effective use of technology for learning, strong relationships with educators and education ecosystems, and commitment to co-creating solutions with communities to drive the national dialogue on the adoption of reliable, high-speed internet and technology for learning and catalyze collective action to remove barriers for learners, families/caregivers, and communities. It envisions a future in which every learner has the information, support, and skills to equitably access affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service, adequate internet-enabled devices, digital literacy training, quality technical support, and applications and online content designed to facilitate self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration.

To access information from the National Digital Equity Summit, view the resources below:

• Catch the recording of the summit on Edstream and find event photos on Flickr. 
• To access the full Advancing Digital Equity for All resource, visit https://tech.ed.gov/advancing-digital-equity-for-all/. 

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology has announced its 2022-2023 monthly themes. The 30 day window allowed all of its more than 2,000 members to give input on themes are engaging to educators and would support their professional learning.

"I loved the idea of having input from our member. They know what topics they want more of, and we want to help support their professional growth," MSET President Brian Cook explained. "Now it's time to get to the work of developing the entire year based off out themes."

The themes include the following: September - Computational Thinking, October - Cyber Security Awareness, November - STEM/STEAM, December - Gamification, January - AR/VR plus there is a book club scheduled as well, February - Maryland Tech Leaders, March - Equity and Inclusion, April - Accessibility for All, and May - Grant Writing.

MSET will reconvene with its professional learning committee on Friday, August 12 from 8:30-10:30. The group will utilize the work session time to nominate presenters  and finalize activities for each month. Any MSET member interested in volunteering on this committee can go to this Zoom Registration Link.

The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) and Bluum were proud to surprise Longfellow Elementary School Principal Derek Anderson today as its 2021-2022 Outstanding Leader Using Technology Award Winner. A dynamic Howard County Public Schools educator, Anderson embodies the epitome of leadership towards educational technology and exemplifies the MSET mission of advancing excellence in teaching and leading with technology.

Anderson’s leadership was tirelessly on display as he led Longfellow Elementary students and staff with great pride and exemption during virtual learning. He was quick to serve as a guest teacher in virtual classrooms to “model the way” and implement virtual staff meetings with engaging examples as his staff learned to navigate virtual learning as well as hybrid instruction. He believed virtual learning challenged himself to learn first-hand what his teachers were going through daily to better serve their needs.

“Mr. Anderson has been deliberate and systematic in implementing technology to enhance and support instruction and school effectiveness that supports the processes and structures of Longfellow Elementary School,” Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Coordinator of Instructional Technology Julie Wray shared in Anderson’s nomination. “Mr. Anderson is deeply committed to equity in access to technology, as evidenced by his willingness to equip and coach families in using technology personally.”

In his 17 years in HCPSS had been an advocate for instructional technology and supporting the equity of technology within his school community. His conscious effort to develop community partnerships and collaboration to support the use of technology has greatly benefited Longfellow Elementary. He believes removing barriers to overcome the digital divide through internal and external resources available in the school system as well as community resources is of the upmost importance. He is a true champion for digital equity.

“So often MSET finds these amazing educational leaders who are so quiet and humble about their work because they are so focused on the children and families in front of them. They often don’t even realize the impact and the longevity of that impact in their school community and that is no different with Derek Anderson,” 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 leaders throughout the awards program.”

Anderson 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, Anderson received a banner to display at Longfellow Elementary, 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 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 and Bluum were proud to surprise Irene Bal today as its 2021-2022 Outstanding Educator Using Technology Award Winner. A dynamic lecturer in Loyola University of Maryland’s Educational  Technology graduate program, Bal embodies educational technology in all areas of her professional life and exemplifies the MSET mission of advancing excellence in teaching and leading with technology. She is the consummate technology educator and a true academic.

Bal’s contributions to Loyola University Maryland, her students, and the educational technology community are unparalleled. She works tirelessly to not only incorporate technology into her lessons but to also improve the educational setting for all involved, including the communities of the schools in which her mentees teach.

“We are very excited to continue highlighting amazing educators who are innovators in educational technology,” Chris Cuppett, MSET’s Awards co-chair, articulated. “Irene pushes her graduate students to use technology to enhance learning opportunities at all levels. The ripple effect that Irene has started in her graduate students have no end.”

Bal’s professional accolades and support of instructional technology as a practitioner and researcher continues to shine brightly through her work. She can be found presenting at conferences such as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Common Ground Maryland, and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). She is becoming a global ambassador for instructional technology.

Outside of Loyola, Bal engages in many professional activities that she uses to impact her professional practice as well as those around her. Currently, she is serving as the Copy Editor and Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Technology Integrated Lessons and Teaching (JTILT). In addition, she is active in MSET’s new Higher Education Professional Learning Network initiative as well as member of MSET’s summer professional learning team.

“I am so ecstatic to have Irene as our Outstanding Educator honoree this year. She is the epitome of a hard worker and goes above and beyond to support high-quality instruction,” Brian Cook, MSET President, shared during today’s virtual presentation among the Loyola University Maryland faculty.

Bal will be honored throughout the upcoming year by receiving opportunities to participate in MSET business meetings, serve as featured speakers, and have her work highlighted. Plus, she will be receiving a banner to display at Loyola, a certificate, 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 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. 

Educator Teams are Invited to Apply for Free AI PD!

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is now enrolling teams of three to six educators in the 2022 AI Explorations cohort – and you and your team are invited!

Supported by an ISTE coach, your team can collaborate to complete our free PD program focused on the latest in artificial intelligence for education that includes:  

• Access to the 15-hour Artificial Intelligence Explorations and their Practical Use in School Environments online course, March 7-May 1 ($224 value). 
• One year of ISTE membership ($85 value).
• Access to our AI online community and webinar series where educators can connect with other learners and experts throughout the year.
• Opportunity to provide input on future ISTE AI offerings. 

Educators are the key to preparing students to thrive in a world where artificial intelligence is an integral part of their lives and careers. Why not build a team and take part in this FREE training?

The application can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ApplyISTEAI2022 and should be completed by February 21, 2022. Applications for teams of preservice or inservice K-12 teachers and education leaders from school, district, county, regional, state or university organizations will be considered. Priority acceptance will be given to U.S. schools and districts serving traditionally underrepresented student populations in STEM, as well as to educator teams in Michigan, Texas and California. Any remaining spots will be filled by other qualified teams in the U.S., U.S. territories and U.S. international schools.

Application Link 

Questions? Email Nancye Blair Black at aiprojectlead@iste.org.

MSET will be offering two high impact professional learning opportunities this month -- Science of Learning: Using Technology to Reduce Cognitive Load and Computational Thinking Tools & Strategies in K-8 Classrooms.

The Science of Learning session will feature Frederick County Public Schools' Maureen Corio and Tammy Sander to host its February's  Event. The 30-minute session is slated for Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 8pm. The session will address strategies to use technology to reduce cognitive load.

The Computational Thinking Tools & Strategies in K-8 Classrooms session will feature Senior Education Partnerships Lead at Tynker Daniel Rezac on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 8pm. The session will dive into different tools and strategies to support computational thinking in K-8 classrooms. 

Registration for both events is free. Go to our Events page to register today.

MSET is excited to announce its annual Outstanding Educator Using Technology and Outstanding Leader Using Technology Awards. Individuals wishing to nominate a high octane educator or leader for these prestigious awards can now do so at 

www.msetonline.org/edu-leader-awards.

Nomination Guidelines for 2021-2022

• All MSET members are eligible to nominate or to be nominated. Either the nominator or the nominee must be a MSET member. If you attended Common Ground 2020, you are automatically a member of MSET.  If you need to join, you can do so by visiting: http://www.msetonline.org/membership.html 
• Intent to Nominate: For the first phase of nominations, due February 10, 2022, only the nominee’s name and contact information is required.
  
• Nominations Phase 2: The nomination packet will be due by March 31, 2022. Nominators and nominees will work together to complete the nomination packet. The nominator will be responsible for writing the nomination statement based on the artifacts that the nominee provides.​ 

Time is precious and especially to educators. To meet the needs of educators, MSET is taking a speedy route to supporting educations with Speed Tech Professional Learning. Speed Tech events are five 5-minute snapshots of either an instructional technology tool or activity that can be easily utilized by an educator in their professional practice

This month's Speed Tech Event is slated for Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 8pm EST and focuses on tools support educators in the classroom. The five mini-sessions will be facilitated by University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) faculty as well as by ISTE Board President Rand Hansen. Other UMGC faculty include Brandie Shatto, Erica Ellsworth, Kelly Rippard, and Joe Wieczorek. 

Attendees can signup for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card from sponsor American College of Education.

To register for the free Speed Tech Event go to: https://umgc-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RdeVY6BJQU6fwDdFagPGxw.

Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is proud to begin utilizing Amazon Smile. Many rely on Amazon for everything from books to grocery items, especially during COVID shutdowns. As a public non-profit, MSET is eligible to participate in AmazonSmile. When you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to MSET. Signing up is very easy!

What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Maryland Society for Educational Technology every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the Maryland Society for Educational Technology.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible?
Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible.

Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?
Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

How do I select the Maryland Society for Educational Technology to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?
On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization (Maryland Society for Educational Technology is a non-profit) to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.