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Magner to address May 2 MEGA technology showcase
Raleigh, N.C. -- Tim Magner, director of the Office of Educational Technology for the U.S. Department of Education will keynote the
2007 MEGA (Middle Educators Global Activities) Showcase on May 2 from 3:15 to 6 p.m. at the William and Ida Friday Institute on NC State University's Centennial Campus.
Sponsored by the College of Education and the Friday Institute, the theme for this year's event focuses on future ready schools.
"The information shared at this event will be beneficial for all North Carolina educators," Lisa Grable, director of Learning Technologies, which includes MEGA, for the
NC State 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 will be on hand to celebrate
technology advancements. Community partner exhibitors include: 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.
At 3:15 p.m., 30 schools and community partners will host exhibits and demonstrations including information about Web 2.0, blogging, games, podcasts,
videos, videoconferencing, websites and more. Magner will address attendees at 5 p.m. with a talk titled, "School 2.0."
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.
Prior to his current position, Magner taught at schools in Switzerland, France and Virginia, worked for Public Broadcasting Service, served as director
of the Washington-based nonprofit Schools Interoperability Framework Association, was executive director for K-12 education at Microsoft Corp., joined
the Department of Education as deputy director of educational technology, and served as a deputy executive director of the Council of Chief State School
Officers.
"Director Magner brings 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."
The event is open to the public and teachers are eligible for renewal credits for attending. For more information, visit
http://www.ncsu.edu/mega/events.htm
Media Contact
Lee Kennedy
Director of External Relations and Communications
College of Education
919-513-0920
lee_kennedy@ncsu.edu
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© 2007 The Friday Institute. All Rights Reserved.