Submitted by Nichole Smith, Montverde Academy
The Future of Educational Technology Conference (FETC) is held in Orlando, Florida, each year and gives teachers, administrators, and school district leaders the opportunity to meet players in the educational technology ecosystem. It is the largest gathering of strategic ed tech decision makers who explore the future of educational technology, network with thought leaders, discover innovative solutions, and participate in hands-on workshops designed to empower educators and administrators.
Six educators from Montverde Academy’s academic divisions met to attend workshops, keynotes, and the exhibitor hall to get fresh ideas to integrate into their classrooms to inspire innovative teaching methods. They are now tasked with applying that fresh learning in their classrooms, to be advocates for integrative technology in their buildings, and provide professional development for the faculty that were unable to attend. Dr. Caryn Long, Director of Educational Technology and Innovation at MVA, is a strong supporter of attendance at this conference. “Each year, it is my goal to bring new cohorts to this amazing conference to inspire the use of ed tech in the classroom,” said Dr. Long. “It is a larger field than screen time, which most people think of when they hear the word ‘technology.’ It is about hands-on, active learning using technology. This conference provides ways to make that happen within our classrooms and therefore deepen learning for our students. It is technology used purposefully.”
