Agenda
8:15-9:00 a.m.—Registration
9:00-10:15 a.m.—Welcome and Keynote
10:15-10:30 a.m.—Break
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.—Four Breakout Sessions
12:30-1:15 p.m.—Lunch
1:15-3:15 p.m.—Four Breakout Sessions (repeated)
Program
Keynote Address:
Growing up in the Digital Age:
Usage and Impact of Social Media among Today's Youth
The technological environment is constantly changing. Youth are often the first to adopt new technologies, with social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook a salient example. This continuous evolution poses a tremendous challenge to teachers, school administrators, counselors and other professionals. This keynote presents an overview of the various social media currently popular among youth as well as information about its usage and growth across different developmental stages. Potential harms and benefits of social media will also be examined with particular emphasis on the implications for school professionals.
Keynote Speaker: Janis Wolak, J.D., is a Senior Researcher at the Crimes against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire. She has directed US national studies about youth Internet use and Internet safety, including national surveys of law enforcement agencies about crimes related to the Internet, funded by the US Department of Justice, OJJDP. She is the author and co-author of numerous reports, book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles about youth victimization, youth Internet use, online predation, child pornography and other Internet-related sex crimes. She has provided training and served on expert panels nationally and globally in the field of Internet safety. In recognition of her work, she has received awards from the National Science Foundation and the Verizon Foundation.
Breakout Sessions
The following sessions will be repeated.
Choose one to attend in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Internet Addiction
Internet addiction disorder, overuse or pathological computer use, is excessive computer use that interferes with daily life. Like the object of other addictions, the Internet and computer games have powerful, mood-altering qualities and offer a means of escape. This session will cover the basics of this putative disorder, the controversy surrounding it, patterns and dynamics, as well as prevention and treatment.
Presenter: Mike Hague, M.A. in counseling psychology, LADC, has over 20 years of experience as a crisis/drug and alcohol counselor for middle and high school students in Bedford. He is the co-founder and past president of the Assn. of Student Assistance Professionals of NH and a former drug and alcohol prevention trainer for the State Dept. of Education.
Legal Implications of Social Networking
When is “Sexting” really a form of child pornography? In today’s technological society, social networking websites and mobile devices have not only dramatically changed how young people interact, but also their perceptions of privacy and expression. The impact of this is considerable and presents both legal and administrative challenges for schools to develop appropriate policies and responses. In this session, you will discuss some of the implications of social networking and how your school can respond.
Presenter: Edward Lawson, J.D., is an expert in educational technology who frequently makes presentations on legal and technical issues related to school law and computer use. He is an attorney and director of Lawson & Persson, P.C., Law Firm in Laconia, NH, which focuses on intellectual property, education law, and commercial law. He is also a member of the NH Council of School Attorneys.
Using Web-based Technologies in Your Classroom:
Overcome Fear and Find Advantages
Today’s students have taken a fearless lead in online social networking and the creative use of new technologies. Technology has become a major part of life for them and they want more of it in the classroom. Many teachers and administrators, on the other hand, seem to fear this. Some claim technology dumbs down students. They block social media sites like Facebook and web-based email because of a fear that it might be abused. They also reject the use of iPods and cell phones, because they are distracting and encourage cheating. But these technologies are here to stay. Just as it would be ridiculous to ask businesses, hospitals, or the government to use less technology, attempts to keep it out of school are futile and actually hurt schools and students in the long run. In this multi-media based session we will talk about the benefits of using web-based technologies in the classroom, including allowing students to use web-based emails in their quest for postsecondary education, using i-pods as a means of studying through podcasts, how technologies like Moodle could be used with cell phones, and how the school can track how well it prepared its students by using Facebook. The session will include have an open and frank discussion of the dangers using these technologies in the classroom and strategies to avoid them.
Presenter: James Fabiano has been teaching for the past 30 years, is Science Dept. Chairman at Newmarket Jr./Sr. High School and is a published commentator on school issues. In 2007 the American Chemical Society presented him with the Theodore William Richards award for excellence in teaching secondary school chemistry. He has two books published, “Laugh it Off” an anthology of his column work for the York Independent and the Portsmouth Herald and one published in People’s Republic of China. A third book out next year is entitled, “Garage Sale of a Mind”. Nationally he’s been published by “The Christian Science Monitor,” “Downeast Magazine” and the “Boston Globe.” In 2004, he was awarded best weekly columnist from the Maine Publishers Association. He also has a Blog on education entitled, “Dinosaur of Education.”
Educators and Social Networks:
Communicating within the School Community
Social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Ning are reshaping the way we communicate within our school communities. Though many districts block access to these sites during the school day, there are some districts that are using the power and reach of these sites to keep parents informed of school events, deliver customized professional development and even find and recruit talent to the district. More than ever educators need to know how to skillfully negotiate the Internet and manage their web presence. In this session we will look at trends in social networking, including how these sites are being utilized by students, schools and other educators for school-wide collaboration and communication. We will also talk about the role social networking sites have in helping educators develop a Personal Learning Network.
Presenters: Nicole Tomaselli is a technology integration specialist. She has many years of experience as a teacher and has presented at numerous conferences.
Download the conference brochure
General Information and How to Register
Location
The conference will be held at UNH Manchester, 400 Commercial St. For information about parking, click here. For more info about the location call (603) 641-4350.
4 Ways to Register
(refer to CRN 25939)
On the Web : Click here
By Phone: Call (603) 862-2015 or 1-(800) 313-5327 with credit card information.
By Mail or Fax: Click here to download a pdf of the registration form for mailing or faxing to (603) 862-0655.
Cost and Refund Policy
Conference cost is $199 and includes lunch, breaks, and materials. Refunds, less a $25 processing fee, will be given if written cancellation is received five business days prior to the conference.
For More Information
About the Conference: Call (603) 862-1739
About Registration: Call (603) 862-2015 or (800) 313-5327
About more UNH Professional Development & Training Offerings: Call (603) 862-4234 or visit www.learn.unh.edu/pcw
