The Bronx CUNY EdTech Showcase, held annually in May, promotes and highlights innovative uses of technology to bring students to new levels of engagement and academic performance. This year’s Showcase was held on May 9th, 2014 at Bronx Community College’s Hall of Fame Playhouse and the beautiful new North Hall and Library. The Keynote Address by University Director of Academic Technology, George Otte and the afternoon panel session entitled Game-Based Learning in Education was streamed live on our website.
This collaboration among the three CUNY colleges located in the Bronx (Lehman, Bronx CC, and Hostos) strengthens the bonds among campuses that serve similar student populations and is a model for inter-campus community-building throughout CUNY. The annual event provides opportunities for networking, sharing information, and building sound, technologically-rich pedagogical practice within the CUNY community.
Led by Bronx Community College’s Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, a team of administrators and faculty from each campus worked together to convene educators from across CUNY and beyond to demonstrate and discuss their commitment to exemplary teaching and learning in technologically rich environments. This year’s format consisted of moderated short presentations on similar themes with adequate time for stimulating discussion. The interactive “birds of a feather” sessions encouraged group discussion and brainstorming on a variety of technology-related topics. An ePortfolio “eposter session” during lunch highlighted exemplary student work.
The audience, comprised of representatives from 17 colleges within CUNY, enjoyed the insights, experiences and perspectives of 56 (including 6 students) speakers representing a broad cross-section of disciplines.
This year’s distinguished plenary speakers are CUNY innovation leaders:
- Dr. George Otte, University Director of Academic Technology, Office of Academic Affairs, CUNY Central, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, CUNY School of Professional Studies; morning keynote
- Linda Ridley, Lecturer, Business Department, Hostos Community College, afternoon panel moderator
- Maura Smale, Associate Professor, Library, New York City Tech, afternoon panelist
- Rees Shad, Associate Professor, Humanities Department, Hostos Community College, afternoon panelist
- Joe Bisz, Associate Professor, English, Borough of Manhattan Community College, afternoon panelist
In the morning keynote, Dr. George Otte discussed the tension between working on the leading edge of innovation in the context of an institutional culture that, by its nature, is designed to limit risk. He argued that a new understanding of risk is needed in order to meet the demands and challenges of 21st century higher education.
The afternoon panel highlighted initiatives across CUNY dedicated to examining how games can be effectively integrated into learning, including the first ever 2014 CUNY Games Festival, approaches to “gamifying” traditional lessons, and Hostos’ Game-Framed Math & Science (G-FMS) initiative which uses games to familiarize media design students’ with STEM-based subjects.
Presentations focused on the practical implications of using technology in the classroom and included the following topics:
- Facebook in the classroom
- Podcasting for ESL students
- Engaging students using Rap Genius
- ePortfolios
- Flipped classrooms for Research in Business
- Clickers in the classroom
- New Methods for Teaching Stem Literacy
- Social Media for Education
Special Thanks to:
Our College Leaders:
Dr. Carole M. Berotte Joseph, President, Bronx Community College
Dr. Felix Matos Rodriguez, President, Hostos Community College
Dr. Ricardo Fernandez, President, Lehman College
Dr. Claudia V. Schrader, Provost, VP Academic Affairs, Bronx Community College
Dr. Carmen Coballes-Vega, Provost, VP Academic Affairs, Hostos Community College
Dr. Anny Morrobel-Sosa, Provost, SVP Academic Affairs, Lehman College
Speakers/Panelists:
Dr. Carole M. Berotte Joseph, President, Bronx Community College
Dr. Carmen Coballes-Vega, Provost, VP Academic Affairs, Hostos Community College
Ron Bergmann, V.P. / CIO, Lehman College
Dr. George Otte, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, CUNY School of Professional Studies, University Director of Academic Technology, Office of Academic Affairs, CUNY Central
Linda Ridley, Lecturer, Business Department, Hostos Community College
Maura Smale, Associate Professor, Library, New York City Tech
Rees Shad, Associate Professor, Humanities Department, Hostos Community College
Joe Bisz, Associate Professor, English, Borough of Manhattan Community College
Our Faculty and Staff Showcase Presenters
Hostos EdTech Staff & EdTech Interns
Bronx CC EdTech Staff
Lehman College/Information Technology/ Resources Staff
Bronx Community College IT Department
Edwin Sanchez
Gustavo De los Angeles
Sammy Henry
Jonathan Lacay
Errol Williams
Bronx Community College Academic Affairs
Dr. Claudia V. Schrader
Ayechia Perez
Conference Program/Graphics Designers
Lemar Francis
Miguelina Curiel Baldonado
Bronx Community College Duplicating Department
Frank Giglio
Jose Burgos
Bronx Community College Communications & Marketing Dept.
Hostos Community College Duplicating Department
David Floyd
Diann Beckett
Mercedes Valdez
Catering by Nayyarson’s
Bronx EdTech Showcase Committee:
Mark Lennerton, Director, Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Bronx Community College
Albert Robinson, Associate Director, Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Bronx Community College
Alyson Vogel, Associate Director, Online Education, Lehman College
Carlos Guevara, Director, Office of Educational Technology, Hostos Community College
Catherine Lyons, Assistant Professor, Reference/IT Librarian, Hostos Community College
Lisa Tappeiner, Assistant Professor, Collection Development Librarian, Hostos Community College