GRITC ‘10 a Success
“GRITC was an incredible opportunity to experience technology that could be immediately implemented in the classroom.” Comments such as this from Spanish Fort Middle School teacher Tracey Wall proved that the second annual Gulf Regional Instructional Technology Conference (GRITC) was a big hit with teachers in Baldwin CountyTeachers from all grades and subjects gathered at Robertsdale Elementary School on July 21-22 to participate in two days of technology training to help them infuse technology into their teaching practices.
Attendees were able to choose from a wide variety of topics ranging from teaching with interactive white boards to using Google Docs with their students. It was exciting to walk the halls during the conference and hear teachers exchanging information about new technologies or techniques they had just learned.
“I particularly enjoyed the classes on using technology to improve writing, Mr. (Jeff) Rhodus’ class especially,” said Donna Boswell an English teacher at Robertsdale High School. “Also, the presentation by the media specialist from USA on Wikipedia was eye-opening in that it cleared up many myths about Wikipedia and suggested sound ways to use a device that students love.”
Donna’s experience was not isolated. We heard similar comments from other teachers about how technology supports classroom activities, including a follow-up from Tracey Wall when she stated, “Applications, such as the enhanced use of the Promethean Board and exposure to Prezi.com, have resulted in faster and more efficient development of academic concepts and objectives. My attendance at the conference has given me the ideas and applications needed to realize my personal goal of a paperless classroom within the next three years.”
Comments like the ones from Tracy and Donna came from sessions that were largely taught by teachers from our district. How gratifying to see our teachers making such an impact on their peers!
Of course, as with any great success, the challenge now is to make next year’s conference better. We can only do that with participation from our teachers. If you have a great technology lesson that you think others would enjoy, let us know. If you aren’t ready to present, come join us next year as a participant. Help us make GRTIC ‘11 bigger and better!
