MooseTech Conference: ‘Teachers teaching teachers’

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DEXTER — Hundreds of educators from School Union 60, SAD 4, AOS 94/SAD 46, Foxcroft Academy, RSU 68 and SAD 41 are expected at the second annual MooseTech Regional Technology Conference on Friday, March 14 at Ridge View Community School in Dexter.
    MooseTech is a joint professional development day where educators learn new ways of integrating technology into their classrooms, according to David Fournier, the AOS 94 technology coordinator. “Last year was a huge success. We actually had about 50 to 75 more participants than we expected,” Fournier said.

    This year’s presenters include Maine Senate President Justin Alfond, a former Dexter Regional High School student, as keynote speaker. Also on hand will be integrated mentors from the Maine Learning Technology Initiative project, several Apple Distinguished Educators as well administrators from the participating districts.
    Some classes include “Using the iPad in the Classroom” presented by Julie Willcott of Foxcroft Academy. Willcott, who has been teaching with iPads for three years, will outline ways to manage workflow including the use of AirDrop, helping students create content on “Explain Everything” and “Creative Book Builder,” and making use of iTunes U courses.
    Jeremy Bousquet of Penquis Valley High School will teach “Google in the Classroom,” a general overview of Google applications that such as Google Mail, Google Drive, Hangouts and Blogger.
    There are also classes on basic PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, ArtStudio, the best apps for science and history projects and creating instructional videos.
    Fournier said the concept is based on “teachers teaching teachers. For example, my wife (Deborah) is a music teacher — a staff of one at her school. But at MooseTech, she will have an opportunity to network with other music teachers in the region.”
    Deborah Fournier will host a roundtable discussion on sharing and using digital resources in music instruction.
    The MooseTech organizing committee consists of Kathy Bishop (Union 60); Crystal Priest (SAD 4); Fournier, Patty Faley and Paul Shaw (AOS 94); Jon Pratt, Robert Brown, Mia Morrison and Andrew Wright (Foxcroft Academy); David Bridges (RSU 68) and Lynn Weston (SAD 41).
    Bishop is the technology coordinator for Greenville Consolidated School and said she shares Fournier’s assessment of the conference. “Last year’s MooseTech Conference was a great event with over 100 sessions,” Bishop said. “Everyone was engaged, happy, and attendees left the conference revved up and excited about the technology ideas presented. People shared ideas and the presenters were outstanding. It was a win-win day.”
    The full schedule for the day, the session program, and additional information are posted at www.moosetech.org.
    For more information, contact Fournier at davef@aos94.org or 924-7602.