John Connolly manages and coordinates the instructional technology initiatives for the Chicago Public Schools district. This includes technology integration programs, innovative technologies, digital media, live conferencing, professional development, Internet safety, and grant opportunities. His passion and innovation for using technology to transform teaching and learning has been recognized by the US DOE.
Connolly has 10 years of experience with enterprising wide technology solutions. Previously, Connolly served as a consultant for Cleveland, Columbus, and Wichita school districts prior to joining CPS. John has played a key role for CPS in the roll-out of CIM and the use of data to inform instruction. He has been instrumental with loading digital reading content for K-5 teachers. His innovations and organization of all digital content have proved to be major achievements for the development of 21st century skills in the district.
At home, work, on our phone - tech is everywhere -- but are educators ready to make the full switch in their classrooms from books to computers?
Tech buying is top of mind of school boards and curriculum decision makers... but what are the next steps to make this transition a successful one? Is tech taking the place of teaching, or actually helping children succeed?
The question also circulating is how much technology is too much for schools. Schools are coming across new issues when it comes to Education 2.0 (for example Google Images and some racy content), open-web data is amazing for kids to find answers fast, but is it factually correct and age-appropriate? How do schools regulate what kids see on the internet and how do they also use it to their advantage?
