UCET 2006 Technology Educator of the Year - Ryan Miller

For the past ten years, I have had the wonderful opportunity of working with Ryan Miller. I have never worked with a colleague who is so dedicated to the needs of Central High’s alternative students. I have worked with him on various English and Geography collaborations each of the ten years. This year Ryan, who is on the forefront of using technology in the classroom, helped his students to write, edit, film, and produce a movie on an environmental topic of their choosing. These movies were shown and entered in Central High’s technology fair. They turned out professional quality movies which were impressive to all who viewed them.

Ryan has won the Central High Technology Fair four of the past five years. He uses technology to instruct and help students explore differing geographic topics. He utilizes his wireless laptop classroom to engage students in Independent Study, Research, Powerpoint presentations, Inspiration webs, and Word processing. Every term for the past six years, his students have worked with the laptops and differing software programs. Ryan also utilizes technology to communicate with parents and students about their progress and concerns.

Laptops in his classroom have greatly influenced not only student learning but teacher instruction. Students have had the opportunity to explore, research, and produce different topics and products during the 2005-2006 school year. Listed are several topics and products which have been utilized in his classes with the wireless mini-labs. Anthropology: Ötzi & forensic anthropology: PowerPoint presentations Pirate culture & cultural anthropology: Inspiration Webs Belief systems (religion): PowerPoint presentations Environmental Geography: Water conservation: Internet research & Microsoft Word documents Environmental issues: Movie Maker II student movies Geography: Latin American ancient cultures: Internet research & PowerPoint presentations Pirate culture: Internet research & Microsoft Word “wanted’ posters.

Ryan is one of four teachers at Central High who have a wireless laptop lab and only one of two who have been identified by Granite District's Instructional Technology Department as a "Power user". A "Power User" is a teacher who impliments technology use in the classroom on a daily/weekly basis and receive extensive training in new and unique software. His work on his PhD and its focus on laptops in the classroom has allowed him to realize and value the importance of technology in education. This is instilled in his students as they produce products and research. By allowing his students to work on their own laptops and making learning student centered, they have begun to take on ownership for their learning. To quote one of his students: “We learn more and have an advantage over others. We can access information beyond the textbook and when I go to college, I will know how to find information and use certain programs like Word, PowerPoint, and Movie Maker II.” (Leonor Arce, Geography student)

UCET 2006 Technology Leader of the Year - Todd Billings

Todd is the kind of leader most people only dream of working with! He is kind, caring, and extremely supportive. He makes those around him feel valued! At the same time, he cultivates our growth, leadership skills, and progress toward common district goals.

He asks people to do a lot, but never without providing appropriate information, access, resources, and the support needed to do it. At the same time, he trusts we will be exemplary in our follow-through. He supports us every step of the way!

Todd keeps up on the technology fast track and encourages those around him to continue to learn and use technology. He fosters experimentation and innovation. One example of this was his idea for the District Applied Technology Academy, which was held for the first time this past summer. He had a vision that he brought to the table and then with the help of others, modified many times. He did this to be certain that the academy would meet the needs of the teachers in Provo School District. He is always doing that . . . finding out what the needs are first and then doing whatever it takes, especially if it would be good for teachers and ultimately for students. The overwhelming success of the first year has lead to exciting new preparations for a second, expanded year of our DATA Academy. It will be fun to see where it goes with the freedom we have to explore best practices!

Todd seeks out partnerships and qualified trainers to meet the needs within our district. Usually, these can be found close to home, but when necessary he’s willing to look for outside sources. He is continually creating connections throughout the district and the state that will supply Provo School District with rich information from multiple sources. At the same time he helps everyone stay clear on what we agreed we wanted to accomplish.

Since Provo School District is a smaller district, Todd’s position as Curriculum Specialist/Staff Development Director encompasses a range of different areas from new teacher training to fine arts to social studies to technology integration. The advantage of having one person with ties to all of these areas is that he is able to see and live the integration picture probably better than most. He believes strongly in integrating technology into other curricular areas.

Todd is always willing to share his knowledge. As he makes presentations throughout the state, technology is an integral part. He takes the time necessary to teach, while making all people feel important. He never belittles, but instead, values our ideas in getting a project done. He is willing to let us be creative in doing an excellent job. He truly is an outstanding technology leader!

UCET 2006 Technology Advocate of the Year - Dale Phelps

Please view Dale's website - 100% For Kids