The UWRF Educator is published by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Outreach and Graduate Studies. It is designed to provide continuing education and professional development information to practicing and aspiring educators and education administrators. Funding for the publication is provided through program revenue, not tax dollars.
Directors:
Katrina Larsen
Doug Johnson
Editor:
Deborah Wulf
Art Director:
Tony Bredahl
Contributors:
Angela Whitaker
Photography:
Jens Gunelson
UWRF Outreach and Graduate Studies
410 S. Third Street, River Falls, WI 54022
(715) 425-3256
(800) 228-5607
Email: outreach@uwrf.edu Web site
Nancy Toll is the technology coordinator at Hudson High School and an instructor for the UW-River Falls graduate certificate in Technology for Educators.
Instructor Insights:
Meet Nancy Toll
Use technology as a tool rather than an outcome.
This philosophy has guided Nancy Toll’s efforts in helping fellow educators integrate technology effectively in their classrooms.
As the technology coordinator for the Hudson School District in Wisconsin, Nancy has many opportunities to demonstrate this philosophy. From her beginnings as a science teacher, she experienced the challenges teachers face in developing curriculum that covers all the important learning outcomes.
Looking At Outcomes
Nancy compares her approach to technology integration to that of “Understanding by Design,” the practice of looking at the outcomes in order to design curriculum units, performance assessments, and classroom instruction.
“I know how hard it is to try and get through the textbook, or cover all of the topics you think should be covered,” she said. Technology can help in meeting this challenge but only when you stay focused on the outcomes you want to achieve rather than on implementing the tool itself, she explained.
"I know how hard it is to try and get through the textbook, or cover all of the topics you think should be covered."
—Nancy Toll
Collaboration with UWRF
Her success in sharing this approach with others as a middle school teacher was one of the reasons UW-River Falls invited her to collaborate under the national Goals 2000: Educate America Act in 1997. As part of an initiative to improve the quality of K-12 education, Nancy trained other Hudson teachers with support from UWRF.
Her early experience in staff development, including helping colleagues use constructivist teaching in their classrooms and using technology effectively, helped her land her current position of technology coordinator for the district.
Technology For Educators Graduate Certificate
Discover technological tools that will enrich lesson plans and extend learning beyond the classroom.
Addresses current issues in education and technology
Meets four Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction teaching standards
Improved!
All classes offered online
Curriculum re-designed by K-12 educators
Students may also take individual classes within the program to satisfy DPI teaching standards or to earn graduate credits toward personal or professional development plans.
Technology for Educators Certificate
Nancy stayed involved with UWRF, teaching technology courses for the newly developed Technology for Educators graduate certificate. “I love the opportunities to meet with and help in-service teachers,” Nancy said. She is excited to be part of courses that offer “real, meaningful experiences” for teachers in a 24/7 online environment. Last summer she helped to review and refresh the program curriculum and she now serves as the program coordinator.
According to Nancy, the Technology for Educators certificate helps participants gain a basic understanding of and develop confidence in using a variety of technology applications (see sidebar for more information). Word processing, Web page creation, WEB 2.0 applications, and lesson-building resources like concept mapping and podcasting are some of the tools covered.
“Having this connection with the University helps me better serve my own district and often inspires me to think more outside the box,” she added.
Educator, technology coordinator and graduate school instructor: These jobs keep Nancy busy but she wouldn’t want it any other way. She is thankful for her experiences in these roles and hopes to continue to prepare teachers and their students for the future through technology integration.
