2008 NYSCATE TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT 

Nedra Isenberg – Holland Patent Central School  

How SMART is Your DBQ?

SMART technology will be used to promote learning strategies that will improve ELA skills in the area of the 4^th and 5^th grade Social Studies DBQ. This technology will incorporate Web 2.0 tools such as, Mnemograph, timeliner programs, NYPL Digital Gallery, the National Archives’ Digital Vaults, and others, to achieve learning outcomes. Kurzweil software or Read the Words will be used to meet the needs of all learners. Students and teachers will be introduced to VoiceThread in the assessment of this project.

2008 NYSCATE OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGY LEADER:

Brian McQueen - Whitesboro Central Schools        

Brian has been the Director of Information & Instructional Technology in Whitesboro Central School District for the past three years and served as an elementary school principal for the previous nine years.  In his role as a Technology Leader, he has greatly expanded the capacity of the existing infrastructure in the district to make it robust, reliable and transparent to the user.  He was a key figure in the formation of a District Technology Plan which has led to more student-directed learning and increased achievement. The many distance learning options for middle and high school students including Mandarin Chinese and American Sign Language exist due to Brian’s efforts. Brian has been instrumental in moving the Whitesboro School District forward with the implementation of technologies in the classrooms such as interactive whiteboards, portable computer stations, wireless Internet access, podcasting, and videoconferencing. He has also revitalized the District website to improve communication between school and home and installed EdAlert, a system that notifies subscribers instantly of schools events. A high level of excitement about technology has been generated throughout the Whitesboro school community. Several of the elementary principals in the District have described Brian McQueen as “not only a leader of technology, but a visionary… He knows kids, knows technology, and knows what works.”

NEWLY APPOINTED NYSCATE BOARD MEMBER: