Photo from Bill VanLoo on Flickr
The ITEA is an organization for teachers of MAKE-style education.
The International Technology Education Association (ITEA) is the professional organization for technology, innovation, design, and engineering educators. Our mission is to promote technological literacy for all by supporting the teaching of technology and promoting the professionalism of those engaged in these pursuits. ITEA strengthens the profession through leadership, professional development, membership services, publications, and classroom activities.
Bill was a presenter in 2008 and writes about the ITEA conference
My presentation was entitled “Using Technology for Independent Professional Development”, and centered around the idea that technology educators can use new tools like free/cheap Web hosting, Flickr, blogs and RSS readers to develop both their professional identity and their teaching skills.
Overall, the ITEA conference last year was a fantastic experience. The keynote speakers were excellent; NASA astronaut Barbara Morgan gave a wonderful presentation about her experiences in space, and Dr. Robert Ballard gave an inspirational address about how we can use technology to inspire a new generation of explorers and scientists. Dr. Ballard is the scientist whose team discovered the Titanic wreck. His speech, especially, was a huge inspiration.
One interesting piece about the ITEA conference, for me, was the chance to meet ITEA members I’d corresponded with over e-mail via the ITEA IdeaGarden list. There are lots of great technology educators who participate in sharing ideas and lending support to one another via the IdeaGarden list.
Here are Bill’s presentation notes, and his photos from the 2008 conference:
Have you attended recent ITEA conferences? Are you planning on going this year? What are the best reasons for going? What are the best ways for Make style teachers to find out more? Who do you know who is using MAKE, its projects and the MAKE Owners’ Manifesto in the classroom? How do you teach MAKE? Do you have a teacher who inspires you to be more creative and clever? Add your ideas to the comments, and contribute your photos and video to the MAKE Flickr pool.
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