The Public School System’s Office of Instructional Technology marked the 12th anniversary of its Educational Technology Training Program at Kensington Hotel on May 18, 2024.
(PSS) — The Public School System’s Office of Instructional Technology & Distance Education marked the 12th anniversary of its Educational Technology Training Program on May 18 at the Kensington Hotel.
The 200 event participants consisted of EdTech graduates, instructors, PSS officials, Board of Education members, and private and public school administrators.
EdTech is a year-long training program consisting of five 45-hour certification courses that involve using and integrating technology to improve the quality of instruction and learning.
Over the course of the program, 225 hours are spent on professional development.
This year, the program graduated 129 participants. They explored Google tools to support teaching and learning, discussed the importance of empowering students to be proactive digital citizens, and examined student-centered applications to produce a variety of products such as multimedia presentations, infographics and dynamic videos.
Congratulatory remarks were delivered by PSS Senior Director Jackie Quitugua from the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, and acting BOE Chair Maisie Tenorio.
They commended the hard work and commitment of EdTech participants who want to grow as professionals and embrace the role that technology plays in supporting learning in the 21st century.
A program participant, Kierah Lee, Head Start Program teacher aide, said: “I appreciate the chance to challenge my existing knowledge and gain fresh perspectives. [We learned about] apps [that] served valuable purposes and were adaptable to each occupation, whether we used them for teaching, family partnership advocacy, or administrative work.”
Jace Pineda, a GTC Elementary School teacher, said: “I have learned a variety of skills and tools, and I was able to try all the different apps/resources that could be used in my classroom.”
Lorraine Catienza, PSS instructional technology director, said, “We continue to refine the program with our amazing EdTech instructors to improve the quality of learning for the professionals we serve. Our goal is to continue to employ the transformative use of technology to support teaching and learning and prepare our educators to participate and succeed in an increasingly tech-driven world. Our educators are the key to making this goal a reality, so we continue to invest in them.”
