Technology in Education: Notes from the Closet

As the Director of Distance Learning for Triton College, one of my responsibilities is to ensure the delivery of high-quality online education that offers innovation and supports faculty and student success aligning with institutional goals. While I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience having been an adjunct in higher education for over 14 years and being fully engulfed in digital learning for the past 16 years, there is always room for improvement.  This winter I am working toward adding a new credential to my learning. Recently I wrapped up my first workshop in Quality Matter's Teaching Online Certificate . This well-established and highly respected organization has put together a series of workshops that focuses on best practices of online teaching. I plan to reflect on each workshop as I complete them as a way to model metacognition. Participants can select from a wide range of dates and take the 7 workshops in any order. I chose to begin with the Orienting Your Online Le...

 Recently in my role as Director of Distance Learning I shared an infographic that I made for adult learners: How to Succeed in Online Courses . It's been well-received, and I plan to expand on this in the future. 

In June 2024 I presented the lessons I learned from coaching at the ISTELive Conference in Denver. I first wrote about this topic when I left my role as a school-based coach in 2018. EdTech K-12 Magazine asked me to write an article for their online publication. The text below is from the online article , published August 14, 2024. 10 Lessons Learned from 10 Years of Coaching K–12 Educators Water the flowers, not the rocks. By Nicole Zumpano Nicole Zumpano spent a decade as an instructional technology coach in  Chicago Public Schools . She has left her mark on education as a teacher, coach, director and adjunct instructor.  The role of instructional coach is a complicated position in education. It requires flexibility, self-reflection and a thick skin. Instructional coaches often work with the entire faculty of a school building — or, in some cases, an entire district. Just as  teachers modify instruction each year  when new students enter their classrooms, coaches ...

  Originally written and published here in 2023 Now that we’re a full step into the new year, it’s time to start making good on our New Year’s resolutions. For many educators, that includes forging new connections and implementing new strategies for making professional learning sustainable all year long. One way you can do both at once is through a professional learning network or PLN. These personalized networks are often made up of numerous educators working together to build professional relationships, share insights, and enhance their professional capacity through mutual learning. Put another way, a robust PLN is your ticket to ongoing professional development that’s tailored to your individualized learning goals. Through a PLN, you’ll expand your horizons and foster human connections that you can leverage down the line for some much-needed support and problem-solving. All of that starts by building out your PLN. Here are five strategies for growing your PLN that I recommend to...

  Originally written for ISTE 's official blog , November 2023.  Over the course of my career, I’ve looked for new opportunities to reflect on my practice and learn from other like-minded individuals. I’ve led study groups, conducted action research and obtained (and renewed) National Board Certification. I’ve sought professional development with the same rigor as those experiences. The  ISTE Certification  program was the answer I was looking for. ISTE Certification is an internationally recognized credential in which those in education show mastery of the ISTE Standards for Educators. The devices and tools you use aren’t the center of this professional development; pedagogy is. The rigorous program will deepen reflection on your practice and have you analyzing how (or if) technology fits in. Now that I am officially an  ISTE Certified Educator , here are seven tips that helped me maximize my learning while enrolled in the program. 1. Check your schedule. ...

  In February 2023 I authored a  blog post for ISTE . Below is the piece.  In today’s world, technology is an integral part of education. School districts invest in technology devices to help prepare students for success in future careers, but it takes more than laptops and tablets to harness the power of technology. It’s time to invest in personnel that can bring a return on that investment. Creating an instructional technology coaching program  can impact teacher practice by helping educators effectively use technology to improve student learning. Here’s how to build a successful instructional technology coaching program.  1. Hire the right people.  The success of your coaching program depends on who will be leading it. In addition to a technology-rich skillset, candidates need pedagogical knowledge as well.   During interviews, ask questions about how the candidate works with others. How do they resolve conflicts? Do they understand adult learn...