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Jeanne Biddle
Director of Technology
Scott County Schools
“I have experienced firsthand the excitement that K through 12 students demonstrate for learning with technology when digital cameras, camcorders and photo manipulation software are placed in their hands. In addition, a natural progression for learning takes place within the classroom as the teacher becomes a facilitator and the students collaborate on learning.”
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Jeanne Biddle is the Director of Technology for Scott County Schools. Previously, she served as the district’s K-12 District Technology Resource Teacher, assisting teachers with the creation of engaging curriculum aligned to the core content and NETS. Ms. Biddle has been overseeing the district’s Digital Storytelling Initiative since 2001, and she was responsible for the statewide KY Kids Video 2005 project in which students created PSAs that tackled the need for funding educational technology in Kentucky schools. Student winners shared their PSAs with the House and Senate legislators and participated in the 2005 National Educators Computing Conference (NECC) as part of the Student Voices showcase.
Ms. Biddle received her bachelor’s in elementary education and English literature from the State University of New York at Potsdam and a dual master’s in reading and special education from C.W. Post/Long Island University. She has presented at the 2005 Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference (KTLC), National Council for Computer Education (NCCE) and Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC).
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Lynn C. Israel
Technology Teacher Leader
Clara Barton Elementary School
School District of Philadelphia
“I enjoy capturing life so that it can be viewed over and over again. I have found photography to be a common language in a multi-ethnic, multi-language school. As a technology teacher, I enjoy seeing the students having fun manipulating their digital images in interesting and humorous ways.”
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Lynn Israel has worked for the School District of Philadelphia since 1974 and has been a computer science teacher since 1988. During that time she has worked with students from early childhood through senior citizens; she even did a stint behind a desk as an educational researcher. At Clara Barton Elementary School, Ms. Israel, in partnership with Beth Hartman, the art teacher, and photographer Harris Sklar, has integrated digital photography editing into the Mentally Gifted curriculum. Her students are regularly enlisted to photograph school special events and she has also led several in-service workshops in digital photography editing and printing.
Ms. Israel received her bachelor’s and master’s in education from Temple University. She has certifications in early childhood education, elementary education and a specialist certificate in technology. In June 2005, Ms. Israel presented at the National Educators Computing Conference (NECC) with her teaching partner, Beth Hartman, and their students. She is thrilled that her students’ work has been recognized and displayed at various venues throughout Philadelphia.
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Beth Hartman
Art Educator
Clara Barton Elementary School
School District of Philadelphia
“Every time my students have a camera in their hands they have smiles on their faces. They are comfortable and competent in their use of Olympus digital cameras in spite of their ages (six to ten years old). People are always surprised when they find out how young they are and how good their work is.”
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Beth Hartman has been teaching in the School District of Philadelphia since 1977. During that time she worked with children from Headstart through 12th grade. After partnering with local photographer Harris Sklar, Ms. Hartman has integrated the art of photography into her teaching with Mentally Gifted students. She also has taught in-service workshops in digital photography to the staff.
Ms. Hartman received her bachelor’s of fine arts and her master’s in education from the Tyler School of Fine Art, Temple University. In June 2005, she presented at the National Educators Computing Conference (NECC) with her teaching partner, Lynn Israel, and their students. Ms. Hartman will be a guest presenter for the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the 2006 National Art Education Association (NAEA) convention, presenting on visual learning and student digital photography.
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Dr. Suzanne Banas
Lead Teacher
Richmond Heights Middle School
Science Zoo Magnet
“Knowledge and teaching revolve around learning and using technology. In the classroom, technology has become an integral extension of my instructional methods and my students use Microsoft Suite (Word for writing; Power Point for presentations; Publisher for brochures’ Excel for data; Outlook for key pals), graphing calculators and probes, as well as Olympus digital cameras and microscopes. All these tools enhance the learning to make it real.”
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A teacher for over 22 years, including 17 at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Dr. Banas is currently Lead Teacher at Richmond Heights Middle School – Zoo Magnet, one of eleven schools in the country associated with an AZA Zoo. The school’s classrooms are located on the property of Miami Metro Zoo and Dr. Banas works closely with both Metro Zoo and Zoological Society personnel to develop a rigorous curriculum that explores science related to the zoo and technology.
A Nationally Board Certified Teacher, Dr. Banas received her bachelor’s in biology, zoology and education and her master’s in education from the University of Miami. She also holds a doctorate in science education and leadership from Union Institute. She has presented at the National Science Teacher Association’s annual conference as well as at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC). Dr. Banas is an active advocate for conservation and environmental issues and has sat on several state and local committees dealing with environmental education.
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Meg Ormiston
"I believe that the majority of our classroom teachers are ‘paper-trained instructors’ teaching in a video game world. The 21st Century learners process information in fundamentally different ways, and we need to transform the way we deliver instruction by infusing visual images whenever possible. Technology is critical in the transformation of both teaching and learning."
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Meg Ormiston has reinvented herself from classroom teacher to author of two books, keynote speaker, adjunct professor, school board member, curriculum designer, blogger, webmaster, educational consultant and grant development specialist. Her upbeat presentation style carries the message about processing information in new ways by redesigning lessons to reach the 21st Century learners. Her current research focuses on how curriculum can be delivered through the use of visual images, simulations and multimedia.
Ms. Ormiston received her bachelor’s in elementary education from Eastern Illinois University and her master’s in education in curriculum and instruction from National College of Education.
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Deborah Hargroves
Instructional Technology Specialist
Massie Heritage Center
“I enjoy photography and the ability to use images to share with others the excitement of significant moments. The quality of Olympus equipment and its ease-of-use allow me to wholeheartedly endorse using digital imaging as a medium of learning.”
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Deborah Hargroves currently serves as the Instructional Technology Specialist at Massie Heritage Center, a teaching museum for American history. This center is part of the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. As a thirty-year veteran educator, Deborah offers instruction to teachers, in addition to students, on the use of digital imaging tools; she provides needed resources and ideas to integrate multiple modes of learning in order to maximize each student's learning potential. In addition to her work at the Massie Heritage Center, Ms. Hargroves is a judging coordinator and workshop organizer for the annual International Student Media Festival.
Ms. Hargroves received her bachelor’s in elementary education from Armstrong State College. She holds master degrees from Georgia State University and the University of Georgia in interrelated special education and library education respectively. Her awards include the 2006 Best Buy te@ch Award, the 1999 Walter S. Bell Award for Outstanding Media Services, the Milken Foundation 1998 National Educator Award and the 1997 Georgia Media Specialist of the Year. However, what she values most are the numerous awards earned by her students for their media projects.
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David Thornburg
Director, Global Operations
Thornburg Center
“I believe that digital imaging tools can be used to transform educational practice in support of student learning in new and powerful ways. In many ways, the digital camera becomes the notepad in which we can document our lives.”
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David Thornburg is a popular presenter, workshop leader, consultant and author in the field of educational technology who believes that children need schools that foster and develop their capacity as creative problem-solvers. He and his wife, Norma, conduct workshops on digital imaging across the curriculum, and also teach the esthetics and mechanics of digital narratives. In addition to being the author of numerous book and magazine articles, Dr. Thornburg had a monthly "podcast" on PBS through which he shared his insights on educational technologies with listeners around the world.
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Norma Thornburg
Director, Emerging Technologies
Thornburg Center
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Norma Thornburg has worked as a classroom teacher, school principal, technology specialist, and international educational technology consultant. She believes strongly in the power of student-generated projects to develop understanding of rich curricular ideas as well as in keeping the love of learning alive for a lifetime. She was one of the pioneers in the creative use of educational technology in Brazil, and is also a photographer. The bulk of her work today focuses on digital imaging in the classroom, the esthetics and mechanics of digital narratives and the role of technology in supporting student inquiry across the curriculum. Her prior experience in inquiry-driven project-based learning in Brazil provides both credibility and insights to those exploring this pedagogical topic in schools throughout the world.
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