eDUCATIONDESIGN Technology Integration

Mentor Center
(1996-present)

MentorCenter is a web-based telementoring tool. We have used the tool in many projects, both regional and internationally to bring individual classroom students together with distant mentors for academic enhancement. Projects have emphasized Literacy, School-to-Career, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Science, and Music. Education Design develops projects and curriculum for MentorCenter activities in grades 4-12, licenses and supports the tool while in use, and trains participants.

Technology Integration

The history of Education Design, LLC stems directly from the education technology research and development environment. Associates worked together at BBN Systems and Technologies as members of the Education Technologies Group during the years 1995-1998. We developed programs and software for K12 schools in the early days of classroom computing and have been active since. We help bring innovative projects into classroom settings.

Our projects emphasize how to teach and learn effectively with new computer technologies. We ask the strategic questions to help schools make the best use of existing technologies. Our learner-centered approach always brings the focus back to the original intent of schools: the students. We help schools understand the power and potential impact of various technologies.

Web-based History Curriculum
(1999-2000)

Consultants developed a High School Social Studies curriculum and methodology using the web as a prime resource as a way in which to introduce technology into a New York City private school. The department changed their strategies accordingly shortly after the project.

General Technology Development Planning and Strategies
(1996-present)

Consultants have collectively developed and led many workshops and seminars on using technology in schools. Topics include general technology use (website building, web searching, presentations, concept-mapping, digital still and video images, Webquests), Social Studies, History, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Art, TLC, GIS, Technology Planning, and Technology Policy.

Technology Leadership Communities (TLC) Course
(1996-present)

Begun in 1996 as part of the NSF-funded Vanguard for Learning project, the TLC course prepares students to become the technology teachers of their school, working with faculty, administration, and peers. Through metacognitive discourse and reflective activities students learn about the learning process itself. The course is currently operating in 22 schools in Italy, Germany, and the Pacific. This model has proven a viable method in which to engage students in improving the technology use of their schools while helping them develop as teachers and learners. This is a course any school may offer.

Online Professional Development
(1996-present)

Using various Internet-based technologies, including Videoconferencing, MentorCenter, WebCT, and Blackboard, we have developed and practiced professional development courses and methods for teachers in Language Arts/Literacy, Music, Technology, and Mathematics.

World Band Performance
(1995-1996)

World Band uses the software Interplay, developed at BBN by Education Design staff, to perform online concerts. Interplay allows synchronous performance across IP networks using MIDI computer instruments. The tool was piloted in 1996 between schools in Germany and Korea, and featured at the Ars Electronica Consortium Media Lab in Linz, Austria.

Midi Math
(2002)

We developed a curriculum for middle school students where MIDI computer music equipment was used to teach middle school mathematics concepts. The merging of two independent domains through technology motivated students to engage in mathematics study.

World Band Music Education
(1995-1998)

World Band is a music education system where students study music composition with virtual partners over the internet, typically in distant participating schools. Using videoconferencing and MIDI electronic music tools, students build compositions with each other by sending works from one to another. Edits are discussed in virtual classroom sessions and final works are performed online.