Radnor High School Teachers Get Tech Savvy at In-Service Day

Technology and Radnor High School teachers got a lot more familiar with each other at the district's most recent In-Service Day on Friday, Feb. 15. Classrooms, offices and the Black Box theater were filled with educators taking part in workshops dedicated to 21st-century learning and teaching tools, many of them taught by their colleagues. 

The day was planned by the district's director of instructional technology Joan Cusano, instructional technology coach Andrea Brothman, RHS literacy coach Alexis Swinehart, RHS teachers Todd Miller, Sue Deratzou, Sam Nguyen, Chris Kelly, Rick Dunbar and RHS librarian Michelle Wetzel.

"Today's technological applications and tools make it possible to teach in new ways," Cusano said. "Providing opportunities to learn new tools, practice applications, and see what their colleagues are doing supports teachers in their efforts to incorporate a variety of learning opportunities for their students. Technology in-service days such as this are always well received by teachers." 

See pictures on RTSD.org.    

All educators had the opportunity to attend technology sessions targeted to their individual interests and skill levels. The day's agenda included programs on SmartBoards and Schoolwires (the district's website content manager) as well as topics with a departmental focus, such as free open education resources in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), technology applications for World Language teachers and technology problems of the week through the Drexel Math Forum.

"Technology engages the reluctant learners in my class," said social studies teacher Joe Capone. "We live in a world where kids have access to things instantaneously. If we don't adapt to this, we aren't preparing them for the real world."

The workshops presented by Radnor High School teachers included a panel of classroom-based technology projects and an introduction to Infographics and Evernote. A session for 10th-grade teachers new to iPads and two sessions presented by representatives from Apple on Keynote, Pages, Garage Band and iMovie were also very popular.

"It's nice to see so many teachers presenting and sharing what they've learned with their colleagues," said supervisor of instruction James Kearney. 

Swinehart agreed: "It was a great day because it was based on teachers' needs and interests. It was very informative and engaging, which will translate into practical implementation in the classroom."

This story was orginally publised on RTSD.org.