Why School? With Will Richardson

In this episode of EdTechChat Radio, we discuss what makes really great and effective technology-based professional development. We also cover things to avoid. Follow:@thomascmurray @ajpodchaski @Cvanderark@SrtaLisa @garnet_hillman @Getting_Smart @bamradionetwork Caroline Vander Ark Davis is COO and Partner of Getting Smart an education advocacy firm that advocates for innovations that customize learning and extend access (Twitter @Cvanderark). Alex J Podchaski serves as the Director of Technology at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit, NJ. Tom Murray serves as the Director of Technology and Cyber Education for the Quakertown Community School District in Bucks County, Pa. Tom is a former middle school assistant and elementary school principal.

In this premier episode of EdTechChat Radio the teachers and edtech integrators explore the challenges of bridging the gap between school IT staff, tech integrators, classroom teachers and students. Tom Murray serves as the Director of Technology and Cyber Education for the Quakertown Community School District in Bucks County, Pa. Tom is a former middle school assistant and elementary school principal (@thomascmurray). Sharon Plante is Director of Technology at Eagle Hill-Southport in Southport, CT (@iplante). Alex J Podchaski serves as the Director of Technology at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit, NJ (@ajpodchaski). Susan M. Bearden is the Director of Information Technology at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, FL(@s_bearden) Greg Graham is the author of, "Cell Phones in the Classroom? No, Students Need to Pay Attention." Liz Kolb is a clinical assistant professor at The University of Michigan and authored "Cell Phones in the Classroom: A Practical Guide for the K-12 Educator." Lisa Nielsen,award-winning blogger and author of "Teaching Generation Text," is a long time public school educator.

In this inaugural episode of Why School? we start at the 30,000 foot level and take a look at the forces demanding that we rethink the meaning and purpose of school as we know it. Lisa Brady has been an educator for 27 years in both urban and suburban school districts. A superintendent for nine years, and currently the superintendent for the Dobbs Ferry, New York schools. Dr. Pamela Moran, Superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools - during Dr. Moran’s tenure, ACPS has become one of the top performing school divisions in the state with an on-time graduation rate of 93 percent.