Boise State University is offering teachers a way to stay on top of rapidly changing educational technology through a new online professional development portal.

The portal was created by a partnership of Boise State’s Center for Professional Development, College of Education and Department of Education Technology (EdTech), as well as TeacherStream, an online teacher network. Visitors to the portal website at boisestate.mrooms3.net will find a list of professional development workshops presented online by experts at Boise State. They can select from more than a dozen course categories, such as:

• Mobile Apps Design for Teaching and Learning
• Blended Learning
• eLearning Design
• Mobile Learning
• Online Teaching
• Pedagogical Strategies
• Special Needs

“The portal brings cutting-edge skills in classroom teaching, online teaching or 21st-century digital curriculum to teachers anywhere in Idaho or around the globe,” said Lisa Dawley, chair of EdTech. “The workshops offer the most recent and best practices in our profession.”

Designing applications for mobile devices to aid learning, teaching or work is the focus of the first six-week workshop that began June 27. An online 3D GameLab summer camp, which will show teachers how to turn their classrooms into a living adventure that challenges students with motivating quests, engaging projects, games and activities, begins Aug. 1. Participants can login from their school, home or mobile device. About 100 five-hour workshops are planned in the next 12 months.

“We can host customized workshops or teachers can just participate in those already listed and available on the site,” Dawley said. She noted that the professional development programs can help teachers of kindergarten through college add new, valuable skills. “In the current economy, many teachers are finding themselves laid off, and they are joining our programs to gain new skills and open new job opportunities.”

For more information about the professional development portal or the workshops, contact Jill Hella, professional development specialist, at jillhella@boisestate.edu or (208) 426-3713.

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Media Contact: Mike Journee, University Communications, (208) 426-1517, mikejournee@boisestate.edu

About Boise State University
As an emerging metropolitan research university of distinction, Boise State University plays a crucial role in the region’s economic development and famed quality of life. Idaho’s largest institution of higher education offers nearly 200 degrees and certificates in seven colleges. While remaining committed to the strong teaching legacy that has resulted in 11 Idaho Professor of the Year awards since 1990, Boise State’s added emphasis on innovation and creativity is fueling the fastest growing research program in Idaho.