My name is Ms. Ciccone and I have been in the East Williston School District since 2005. I started at The Wheatley School in the Educational Technology Department and I also taught Computer Science I & II. In September 2007 I took the position of Educational Technology Specialist at The Willets Road School. I am a NYS certified classroom teacher in Educational Technology.

What you will find on this page:

• What is Educational Technology?
• What does an Educational Technology Specialist do?
• E2T2 (Enhancing Education Through Technology)
• What is Technology Literacy?
• Some things about me.
  

What is Educational Technology ? You will find many definitions. Below is what I believe to be the simplest and most concise one:

Educational Technology is the use of technology (digital technology) to support the teaching and learning process.

A more detailed definition can be found from SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association):

Educational Technology is a systemic approach to teaching and learning that promotes innovative teaching approaches to modernize and improve the school setting. Education Technology combines technology equipment to support local, state, and national curriculum standard(s) and imbed 21st century skills into curricular activities.

What does an Educational Technology Specialist do ?   They support student learning and educator's professional growth with technology. Ed Techs provide professional development to staff in order to assist teachers with the integration of technology into the curriculum. They also provide direct instruction in digital literacy to students. I work with teachers to infuse technology into their lesson plans in appropriate ways. The focus is not on the technology but on the learning objectives of the lesson. Technology is a tool that is used to enhance the teaching and learning process.

The NYSED states that Ed. Tech. Specialists, "are prepared with the knowledge, understanding, and skills for using various types of technology for teaching to the State learning standards for students … and for instructing other school staff and students in using technology for teaching and learning." (SED Memo, 2006). They go on to state that these individuals posses skills in collaborating with other professional staff to support instruction through education technology that enhances the following:

•   the learning and independence of students with disabilities and special needs;
•   the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills of all students; and
•   student learning in content areas and in the use of instructional and assistive technology to acquire information and communicate.

Taken directly from the NYSTCE website , the Educational Technology Specialist:

"…has the knowledge and skills necessary to teach effectively in New York State public schools. The Educational Technology Specialist has a basic understanding of computer operations and concepts and is familiar with equity, ethics, and legal issues associated with the use of technology in education. The Educational Technology Specialist is knowledgeable about the professional applications of technology and is able to plan, implement, and assess concepts and skills relevant to educational computing and technology literacy for all students across the curriculum. The Educational Technology Specialists is able to apply technology-related research findings to the creation and maintenance of effective learning environments and knows how to develop and implement educational technology professional development programs to assist other educators in furthering his or her understanding of teaching and learning with technology. Finally, the Educational Technology Specialist understands issues related to facilities and resource management, and managing the change process in the educational environment."

The US Department of Education is striving to ensure our students receive a 21st century education.  Title II, Part D of The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, also known as 'Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001' states its goals as follows:

(1) PRIMARY GOAL- The primary goal of this part is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary schools and secondary schools.

(2) ADDITIONAL GOALS- The additional goals of this part are the following:

(A) To assist every student in crossing the digital divide by ensuring that every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the student's race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or disability.

(B) To encourage the effective integration of technology resources and systems with teacher training and curriculum development to establish research-based instructional methods that can be widely implemented as best practices by State educational agencies and local educational agencies.

Technology literacy is the ability to responsibly use appropriate technology to communicate, solve problems, and access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information to improve learning in all subject areas and to acquire lifelong knowledge and skills in the 21st century.

Before starting my career as a teacher, I was a trainer at Citicorp.  I received my bachelors degree in Economics from Fordham University.  Not long after that I became a stay-at-home mom to two wonderful girls. This is when I began my 2nd career, as a karate instructor! It wasn't long before I realized I loved to teach so when my girls were in school full-time, I decided to go back to school to start my 3rd career... I received a Masters Degree in Educational Technology from C.W. Post. While finishing my degree, I started working for the Westbury School District. The next year I came to East Williston. I am currently back at C.W. Post in an Administrative Leadership program which will conclude in December of 2008.

I love education...both as a teacher AND a student!