Dr. Anne Hird
Associate Professor
Tinsley Center, Room 207
(508) 531-2027
Email: ahird@bridgew.edu

Anne Hird is an Associate Professor in the Department of Secondary Education and Special Programs. She coordinates and teaches in the Instructional Technology program. Hird, author of Learning from Cyber-Savvy Students: How Internet-Age Kids Impact Classroom Teaching, describes herself as living with one foot on the ground and one foot in "cyberspace." She has worked with computer technology in schools since 1982. Her experience ranges from teaching in the Providence Public Schools to directing the $1.1 million Library Power grant across 27 elementary and middle schools. Most recently, she has spearheaded the effort to move the Instructional Technology M.Ed. to a fully Web-based degree program. She holds degrees from Brown University, Simmons College, and the University of Rhode Island-Rhode Island College.

Dr. Michael J. Vieira has been Dean of Business and Information Management at Bristol Community College in Fall River, MA since 2002. After teaching journalism and advising student publications for more than 20 years in Fall River Public Schools, he served as an assistant professor in the Computer Information Systems Department specializing in desktop publishing, web page development and multimedia applications. Mike earned a PhD from Capella University, a BA and MAT from Bridgewater State College and a CAGS from Rhode Island College, as well as certifications from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a English Secondary Teacher (grades 8-12), High School Principal, Director/Supervisor, and Instructional Technology Specialist. He has developed web pages, written articles, edited publications, and taught and learned on-line. Mike is an advocate for public education and hands-on learning, including graduate courses where students are colleagues in learning who are engaged as scholar-practitioners.

Bill LaPlant is a Bridgewater State College graduate with a dry sense of humor and a Masters in Instructional Technology. In addition to teaching web design for BSC and developing a winter-friendly version of Microsoft software (Storm Windows XP), he is also a certified art teacher. Bill teaches Technology and Engineering at the Remington Middle School, "Intro to Computers" for the Adult Ed program in Franklin, MA, and has started a computer tutor business (computer lessons at your home). Bill is married and is a recently proud father of triplets Penny, Roman and Maxwell! Bill can be reached at comp_tutor@comcast.net

Joanne McDonald is a classroom teacher for 12 years. She can appreciate the impact technology has on student learning. Her 1^st and 2^nd grade students used technology to share ideas with key pals; science came alive through Claymation; and using robotics, students created programs that enhanced every area of the curriculum. Through class websites, they learned about different customs, collected data from different regions, and wrote stories with classrooms from all over. Running a summer computer camp for 1st through 8th graders her colleagues and Joanne were able to see how kids used technology without the constraints of a curriculum. In 2000, Joanne received a Masters Degree in Technology in Education. The following year she became the PALMS Regional Curriculum Advisor working out of Bridgewater State College. Sharing these experiences with teachers is part of her current position as the K-8 Technology Specialist for the town of Duxbury and Visiting Lecturer for Bridgewater State College.

Ellen Driscoll is currently Coordinator of Educational Technology and Instructional Media for Plymouth Public Schools where she is responsible for the planning, budgeting and implementing programs designed to integrate technology into classroom instruction to improve student learning. She also coordinates the development of a fully functional school library program in the eight elementary, two middle and two high schools that serves 9,000 students. Prior to joining Plymouth Public Schools, Ellen provided Barnstable Public Schools leadership and coordination in the use of technology, including all support services and educational operation as the Director of Educational Technology. Her path to educational technology started when she served on the Mattapoisett School Committee in the early1980s when she was asked to purchase Apple IIE computers. In 1995, she was hired to teach students in grade K-3 how to use a computer. Ironically, she was teaching at the same school where her children had attended and where she had volunteered and learned how to use computers herself. Ellen's academic successes and leadership ability have been important to her. However, her greatest accomplishments are the three happy, well-adjusted children who call her "Mom" and the 4 grandchildren that inspire her to remain current with technology." Present activities include: Mattapoisett Recreation Committee, Delta Kappa Gamma, MassCUE.

Beth Knittle - I have been teaching for almost 20 years and have always strived to integrate technology in my classroom. I found that there was so much to learn that I needed a more formal program of study. I began taking additional courses in the BSC Instructional Technology program. As I completed my course work I was better able to help my fellow teachers. I enjoyed this role. This lead to earning a second masters in IT and an additional teaching license, Instructional Technology Specialist. I am now the District K12 IT Specialist for Barnstable Public Schools. In my current role I support teachers in integrating technology into their classroom environments and provide support for assistive technology. I also promote differentiated instruction and universal design in learning. At times it seems to be the never ending job description. The instructional technology program at BSC helped me to pull it all together, as well as, provide useful contacts in my current position.