- Promote teachers who are leading the way with effective integration techniques for technology and project-based learning

- Offer teachers a venue to conduct professional development workshops for others

- Provide a vital network and support structure for teachers who share similar work and teaching strategies

Janice Friesen

The most exciting project I did with technology involved an Online Project. This was a summer school course and before it began I solicited other participants from other countries to partner with my students. My students chose a partner and introduced themselves using email. Then they wrote a paragraph imagining what a day in the life of their partner was like. They sent the paragraph to the other student and the student from the other country sent back corrections and explanations. At the same time they also worked on a display about the country they chose using what they learned from the Internet and from books. The partners were asked to share a recipe that our students could fix easily. On the final day parents were invited to see the displays and taste snacks from different countries.???? To use technology effectively I have had to be a risk-taker and constantly be learning new things. I have had opportunities through my Master's Degree and in my present job to experience inquiry based learning and to develop a deeper understanding of it. I have also had the opportunity to visit classrooms and learn from many other teachers. Technology has totally changed my role. My current title is Area Instructional Specialist??.????I have the opportunity of working with teachers throughout Missouri on Technology Integration. Working with teachers and students is my passion and technology has allowed me to do this effectively.