MEMBERprofiles
From Changing Chords to Changing Education
In word and deed, member Randy
Orwin makes it clear that he “is
not just a tech guy.” He is a former
docent on ISTE’s island in Second Life
and in real life is director of technology for Washington’s Bainbridge
Island School District #30, musician
(French horn in symphony), and actor
(Valjean in Les Miserables). He’s one
of many who enter ed tech through
music performance and composition. He’s a member of the Northwest
Council for Computer Education Af-
liate and has been an ISTE member
since 2004.
“I rst got involved with it in the
mid-80s on an Apple IIG in a music
class,” he said. “In the late 80s I bought
a digital piano, hooked it up to my
screaming 386 40mhz computer, and
worked with students on Midi com-
position. From that point on I was
hooked and have been involved in
educational technology ever since.”
His biggest project at the moment
is the review and adoption of a World
Languages curriculum, as well as
the use of Moodle by all the middle
school teachers in his district. He has
been coaching teachers on audio-based technologies such as podcasts.
Next, he plans to introduce the Moodle Nanogong module so students
can record their speech live on a Web
page. en he plans to introduce techniques using Skype to communicate
with other countries.
He is already comfortable in virtual
worlds, such as Second Life. “
Recently, I just nished a build on ISTE
Island 2 for NCCE,” he said.
“I would like to see ISTE continue
to develop creative ways for teachers and administrators to collaborate
and communicate via professional
learning communities such as Second
Life,” said Orwin. “I think ISTE is a
wonderful organization, especially in
the areas of advocacy and professional
development. I am really excited
about the new NETS!” he added.
ICE Generates Cool Ideas
Part of the charm of the Illinois
Computing Educators is the
sense of humor that is part of
their culture. Evidence of that is in the
name of their quarterly, professional
newsletter, ICECube, and their Web
site domain name, the iceberg. Local
chapter names include “ICE Chip,”
“ICE Cap,” “ICE Cold,” and “ICE-SI.”
“We work and laugh hard together,”
reports Ginger Long, of the ICE
Leadership Team.
e 3,000-member organization
began modestly in 1986 with a core
group of 30 dedicated, innovative
educators from the Chicago area. ey
had a vision of bringing technology
into the classrooms to enhance learning for all. ICE continues to expand,
and has shown leadership in encouraging the development, growth, and
use of technology in all facets of the
educational process. Members work
with the Illinois State Board of Education, confer with the state’s lieutenant
governor in regard to technology initiatives, and support local initiatives
with training and resources. rough
its annual TECH 200X event, ICE
brings together Illinois’ numerous
public policy makers to demonstrate
and promote classroom technology.
In addition, ICE has developed
partnerships with other professional
educational organizations, and provides speakers and booths for teachers
participating in regional-area inservice days.
e long-term goals for ICE include
further work in the areas of advocacy,
collaboration, communication, leadership, membership growth, outreach,
professional development, sponsor-ship, and forging partnerships to
advance 21st-century digital literacy.
“Most importantly, ICE could not
exist without the professionalism and
generosity of our volunteers and our
two, part-time, paid sta members,”
Long concluded.
