Two Hawthorne High School educators attended a professional development workshop sponsored by New Jersey Educational Computing Cooperative (NJECC) at Montclair State University on September 21, 2012 in order to further explore the use of technology in education.

Joe Brislin, Director of Technology, and Theresa DiGeronimo, Library Media Specialist, attended the full-day program entitled “The Accidental Learner: How to Use Technology to Learn Despite School.” The morning session offered an overview of the latest techniques, programs, and resources integrating technology in education that help educators implement the new mandated Common Core Curriculum Standards. Topics included “Textbook Deathwatch,” “Flipped Classroom,” “Apple Education Resources,” “Online Classes,” “PARCC Standards,” and “Legal Issues and Policies for ‘Bring-Your-Own-Device’ Issues.”

The afternoon session focused directly on the Core Curriculum Standards in English Language Arts and Math. Participants explored a variety of free online educational resources. Specifically targeted were interactive Promethean Board lessons that help teachers use the new technology, create exciting lessons, and meet the Common Core Curriculum Standards. Sample websites that parents and teachers will find exciting include instagrok.com; quizlet.com, geogebra.org, and New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning at njctl.org.

Brislin and DiGeronimo will now meet with other district teachers to share this information promoting digital literacy.