NEW YORK—The Regional Educational Technology Center’s (RETC) weekly podcast, Techpod, Podcast for Teachers, was honored with the 2005 Innovation Award for educational leadership in the field of professional development on Oct. 28 at the Professional Organizational Development (POD) Network’s annual conference in Milwaukee, Wis.
The weekly podcast, which is broadcast over the Web and can be accessed on a computer or MP3 player, was developed by co-hosts Kathy King, Ed.D., director of the RETC, and Mark Gura, a professional developer and outreach coordinator for the RETC. Since its launch in August 2005, more than 7,000 listeners have tuned into an edition of Techpod, Podcast for Teachers, which focuses on professional development for educators on the topic of educational technology, curriculum and innovations.
POD Network is an international professional association for higher education faculty developers, administrators and instructors involved in professional development. Gura, a former director of instructional technology for New York City’s Department of Education, accepted the award at the conference on behalf of the RETC and presented a “poster session,” during which he explained the project and interviewed participants about their reactions to the program and delivery method.
“This is truly mobile learning, or m-learning,” King said. “This puts discussions and interviews about educational technology innovations, curriculum and tips into the hands of educators around the world at no cost. This not only is a broadcast, but also portable, on-demand professional development, because it is available for retrieval on the RETC website and through media and podcast directories anytime, anywhere. “
The RETC and adult education program in the Graduate School of Education are developing an additional podcast on the topic of adult learning, which will be called Adventures in Transformative Learning.
To listen to Techpod, Podcast for Teachers go to www.podcastforteachers.org, or search for “RETC” in iTunes, podcast.yahoo.com or other online podcasting databases.
”From software applications to intimate conversations with notable and experienced educators, ed techies and authors, this is a must-hear weekly digital adventure,” King said.
The Regional Educational Technology Center (RETC) is dedicated to serving and researching the professional development needs of educators striving to improve student and teacher performance. The center’s award-winning programs serve educators across grade levels and contexts, providing in-class and distance learning opportunities. These efforts span K-12, adult education and higher education settings. Programs engaging K-12 educators particularly emphasize educational technology. The RETC was established, in part, through a $9 million grant as part of the New York State’s Higher Education Applied Technology Legislation of 1995. For the most current information about Fordham’s RETC events, visit the RETC website,
www.retc.fordham.edu, and view the e-newsletter.
