More than 500 educational administrators, instructors, students and vendor partners gathered at the 34th Annual Regional Technology Awareness Day (Tech A-Day) on Dec. 15, at the Albany Capital Center to share and show how technology can inspire student learning.
The annual event hosted by the Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) showcases cutting-edge ed tech innovations, including discussion on ways that schools can use technology to enhance instruction and streamline school district operations.
This year’s Tech A-Day theme was Navigating the Digital Landscape: Insights, Innovation, and Impact. The day was filled with information sharing, knowledge building and exposure to technology advancements across a broad range of products and services. Event topics centered on innovations to enhance the classroom learning experience, AI and ChatGPT in education, cybersecurity, interactive experiences with an AI Carnival and Technology Playground and more.
“What’s great about Tech A-Day is seeing the level of innovation that is available to us in education,” said Middleburgh Central School District Superintendent Mark Place. “It’s been great to see all the new technology available to us and how innovative we can all be in the classroom and within our districts.”
The City School District of Albany’s Falcon String Quartet and the Jazzmanian Devils advanced jazz band gave an ear-awakening performance to start the day, filling the air with vibrant music that welcomed attendees as they arrived.
Albany-based FBI computer scientist Roderick Link gave the keynote address about the latest developments in AI, ChatGPT, cybersecurity and the impacts these are having on education and school district operations.
The event offered interactive opportunities for attendees to speak with about 60 technology product and service vendor partners and delivered 18 educational sessions for attendees to choose from throughout the day.
“I liked meeting with the vendors because, as an educator, it helped me with some of the up-and-coming products and ways I can integrate and actually protect my students when they are on the internet and the web,” said Guilderland Central School District Enrichment Teacher Alicia Malanga.
Chris Frenza, director of technology for Rondout Valley Central School District, said the sessions were educational.
“I love the ability to listen to the sessions and hear what is going on in other districts,” said Frenza. “I’m interested in AI and how I can help my teachers better integrate that into their classrooms.”
The AI Carnival and Technology Playground featured interactive demonstrations, including drone flight simulation, virtual reality, robots and educational games that bring excitement to the learning experience.
Darcy Dunbar, middle school technology teacher with the Corinth Central School District, said she loved the AI Carnival.
“I do a project-based learning class, so I get a lot of new information and technology to bring back to my students,” she said. “I would love to bring AI games back to my students.”
The Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) is a resource for cooperative educational technology services and support. As one of 12 Regional Information Centers (RICs) working with the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York state, NERIC serves more than 130 school districts from New York’s Capital Region to the Canadian border. By regionalizing services, NERIC makes a wide range of 21st-century educational technology tools and services available to school districts. For more information, visit https://neric.org/.