Magner highlights 2007 MEGA technology showcase

Tim Magner, director of the Office of Educational Technology for the U.S. Department of Education spoke at the 2007 MEGA (Middle Educators Global Activities) Showcase on May 2 at the Friday Institute. Sponsored by the College of Education and the Friday Institute, the theme for this year's event focused on future ready schools.

"The information shared at this event was beneficial for all North Carolina educators," Dr. Lisa Grable, director of Learning Technologies - which includes MEGA - for College of Education, said. "Teachers in this state have immersed themselves in technology more so than many other states over the last 10 years. Now, we are moving beyond classroom walls into the world of virtual teaching and learning environments."

With the infusion of technology into North Carolina's schools MEGA was developed as a partnership between middle grades teachers and NC State's College of Education for enabling educators to teach and use technology in the classroom. Though founded with a focus on middle grades, MEGA has expanded its scope and encourages K-12 teachers to participate. More than 700 teachers in North Carolina are MEGA members.

For the MEGA Showcase, schools representing Alamance-Burlington, Durham, Lee, Nash-Rocky Mount, Wake and Wilson counties were on hand to celebrate technology advancements. Community partner exhibitors included: Adventure of the American Mind; The Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning; Compu-trac; LearningStation; N.C. Association of Educators; N.C. Department of Public Instruction - NC WiseOwl; N.C. Museum of History; NC in the World; SAS Education and Software Express.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings named Magner director of the Office of Educational Technology in February 2006. The office is responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of the Department of Education's educational technology policies. Its main goal is to maximize technology's contribution to improving education through developing a coherent national educational technology policy and implementing that policy in support of the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

"Director Magner brought a wealth of expertise and real-world experience to this event," Grable said. "He has been at the forefront of promoting technology in the classroom and we are excited to have him joining us this year. Our school and community partners are working hard to put technology tools to greater use throughout the state and the MEGA Showcase is just one way we can help share that message."

For more information, visit http://www.ncsu.edu/mega .