Marianne Smith
We are so pleased to announce that RTC Institute will launch the NYIT (New York Institute of Technology) Master's in Instructional Technology (MSIT) beginning in February. Come to the Open House to find out all about it!
Open House
New York Institute of Technology
Master's in Instructional Technology
&
Educational Technology Specialist Certification
Tuesday, February 9
3:30 - 5:00 pm
Rockland Teachers' Center Institute
14 E. Vanderlip Circle
Thiells, NY 10984
'Back by popular demand!!' NYIT's 36-Credit Master's Degree Program in Instructional Technology and the 18-Credit Certificate in Computers and Education. The Master's program offers Permanent/Professional Certification in Provisional/Initial area of certification and Permanent/Professional Certification as an Educational Technology Specialist. Dr. Sarah McPherson from New York Institute of Technology will be with us to answer your questions. For more information contact Marianne Smith at 845-942-7604 or email rtci@optonline.net.
The classes will take place in Rockland and will also involve hybrid and online coursework.The Master's program in Instructional Technology develops expertise in the use of leading edge media and technology for teaching and learning. Graduates of the program work as master teachers in P-12 classrooms, and as school or district instructional technology leaders, staff developers, and curriculum designers. Initial courses enhance teachers' expertise with a wide range of media and applications and set the stage for understanding how instructional technology can fulfill its potential to Entice, Encourage, Enable, and Empower learners.
Building on theories of learning, motivation, and curriculum design, teachers next learn to apply newly developed technology skills to language arts, social studies, math, science, and technology curricular content. An innovative action research project caps the experience as participants join the small number of certified educational technology specialists in New York state. Much of the coursework in the Instructional Technology program for educators will be offered in hybrid or online environment. Instructors represent both research-based faculty from NYIT and practicing technology leaders with special expertise in our public schools.
Marianne Smith
Please join us with all your questions and needs as we showcase the graduate, Masters' and Certificate programs developed and customized for you this coming year:
RTC Institute Open House
September 30, 2009
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Location:
Rockland Teachers' Center Institute
14 Vanderlip Circle
Thiells, NY 10984
Questions? Directions?
Call 845 942-7608
Marianne Smith
Today, September 8, is International Literacy Day and the beginning of National Literacy Month. Thinkfinity, one of the key partnerships of New York State Teacher Centers, has a wealth of resources for teachers, parents and students, particularly as part of the Read, Write, Think section, supported by the International Reading Association (IRA), the National Center for Family Literacy, National Council of Teachers of English and ProLiteracy. Check out the literacy assets that Teacher Centers are bringing to NY State, through this partnership with the Verizon Foundation:
http://thinkfinity.org/internationalLiteracyday.aspx
Keep in mind our own Rockland Literacy Extravaganza and Storytelling Festivals, which will take place here in October, 2009.
Check out the links here.
Marianne Smith
Timing is Everything! This from the NY Times: "TECHNOLOGY | August 19, 2009
Bits: Study Finds That Online Education Beats the Classroom
By Steve Lohr
Education that includes at least some online work is more effective than classroom-only teaching, according to a major research review done for the Department of Education..."
As we get ready for another (great) school year, we are in the midst of filling up our new Moodle Server (www.rocklearn.org) with content, connections and courses! And I am putting the final touches on the schedule for October for the NYS Online academy courses (http://www.olacatalog.org), filling in the details. Several of our own Rockland-based teachers have been trained to be instructors using Moodle, either through the Teacher Center Online Academy or locally, and will either teach entirely online this year or use the service to supplement the collaborations and resources of their classes. In addition to this, the prevalence of social networking tools and Web 2.0 resources abound and are taking hold not only in the home but in the schools. Handheld technology (Smart phones, Mobile Learning Devices) are functioning like full-blown computing machines! Stay tuned for some exciting times!
Marianne Smith
Shared from Maddalena Harper of North Rockland:
" For all you teachers out there and even moms, Staples is starting their 1 cent deals. This week it's pencils and copy paper. There is a limit of 2 per item, but teachers get more of a limit. Make sure you bring some type of proof that you are a teacher. Hurry, they run out quick. The sale starts tomorrow and it runs through wed. Have fun fighting through the crowds :)" Thanks, Maddalena!
Marianne Smith
How do you access information these days? RTCI is exploring online means to reach our educational audience, be that online registration (MyLearningPlan.com, which we currently make available), email blasts, such as Constant Contact, which we also use. We are considering branching into facebook, Twitter, etc., as a way to stay connected with you, especially over the summer, wherever you may be. Let us know your thoughts and ideas on this!
Marianne Smith
Busy times for all educators at the end of school year, but it's also a good time to look at the possibilties of summertime activities coming up. One exciting new opportunity is our 'first-ever'
Grantwriting Institute, which will take place on
July 17 and 18th:
This summer RTCI, in conjunction with The GCRTC Grants Center,
is proud to present this comprehensive program for
teachers, administrators, educational stakeholders and non-profit managers.
click here to enroll for non credit
click here to enroll for inservice credit
Get out the DateBook: Plans are under way for the combined 14th Annual
Literacy Extravaganza and Storytelling Festival which will take place at St Thomas Aquinas College on
Saturday, October 17. In addition, the following week, at the Haverstraw King's Daughters Library in Garnerville, on
Sunday, October 25. David Gonzalez, Jonathan Kruk, Mary Murphy and others will delight listeners of all ages at the afternoon event. Stay tuned for info on a November
"Tellabration" part of a National storytelling event held annually.
Marianne Smith
Today was Day One of the 2nd Annual NYSCATE Metro Conference at the Rye Hilton in Rye Brook, NY and the two packed days offer an outstanding gathering of resources in education and technology mixed with an opportunity to visit with and learn from old colleagues and new friends! Starting off with The Way Forward keynote, led by Stan Silverman of NYIT, "Discovering Your Digital Destination" features intriguing keynotes (tomorrow is Hall Davidson!), workshops from educators in the region, a vendor area with representatives from over 50 exhibitors and sponsors, and Web Worlds, an opportunity to try out, hands-on, many new interactive learning tools. We enjoyed especially the young students discussing their use of technology and presenting their work!
Want to learn more? Visit http://www.nyscate.org/
Marianne Smith
Our next Open House features information on graduate and inservice course offerings as well as programs for students and retirees.
Open House Info Session
• May 27, 3:30 - 5:00 pm at RTCI •
Call 845 942-7608 for specific information or if you need help with directions (found on our website, www.rockteach.org).
Examples of programs include: Literacy, Special Education, Childhood Certification, Middle Childhood Certification, Educational Administration, School Business Leadership Certification, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Instructional Technology, TESOL
Marianne Smith
Important Contacts and Additional Information — Thanks to Joanne Schnee!In addition, here is a list of contacts and FREE resources for classroom and/or family interest and use:
SymposiumContacts.doc