E8: Beyond the App: How to Leverage Technology to Give a Face to Face Experience

Written By Michael Kranitz

The best event planners are the ones who have taken the challenges of our times in stride and in fact leverage them to create unique experiences we never thought of. We have two such guests with us today: Dr. Nance Wilson from SUNY Cortland and Dr. Thomas Wolsey of the American University in Cairo.

They are the co-creators of Beyond the App: Cause and Conference, which strives to support teachers’ professional development and coach literacy experts in one of the most creative ways possible in response to COVID, and their model may just change the game. 

[00:01 - 04:37] Opening Segment

  • I welcome and introduce Dr. Nance Wilson and Dr. Thomas Wolsey

  • Beyond the APP

  • Dr. Wilson and Dr. Wolsey gives background about the app

  • The why

  • good professional development

  • Global connection

  • Not just a conference

  • Connecting people all over the world

[04:38 - 17:44] How to Leverage Technology to Give a Face to Face Experience

  • Dr. Nance talks about the event’s goal and outcomes

  • As close to face to face as could be

  • Representing many nations

  • How they achieved the effect

  • Limiting the number of attendees per session

  • 30 to 40

  • Allowing for informal conversations

  • Separating by grades and professions

  • Addressing the issue of people tuning out

  • Experts creating value for specific areas

  • Engagement experts teaching engagement

  • Finding the right people based on need

  • Attacking the problem of providing individual feedback

  • Using breakout rooms

  • Using the right tools in conjunction with understanding

  • Leveraging technology

[26:23 - 27:47] Beyond the App: Digital Tools and Strategies for Teachers and Students

  • Feedback from practitioners

  • Examples of email feedback from guests

  • Dr. Wolsey’s and Dr. Wilson’s perspective on going back to the old ways

  • Greater use of online technology and awareness

  • Keep exploring online

  • Using technology to leverage individual review

  • The importance of digital literacy

  • Now more than ever students need to know how to use technology

  • How technology connects to literacy and operating effectively

  • How Beyond the App is giving the tools and resources to teachers to adapt

[27:48 - 33:25] Closing Segment

  • Trying to get digital literacy into mainstream thinking

  • The next event and how it’s supported

  • Another conference coming up

  • Looking for sponsors

  • How to reach out to Dr. Wilson and Dr. Wolsey

  • Links below

  • Final words

Michael Kranitz
Next

E7: Events for the Widowed — A Discussion on Loss, Grief, and Healing