GenY Students Present at Regional Conference

Tim Keiper and seven Secondary Education students submitted a proposal that was accepted for the annual conference of the Northwest Education Association (NWATE) in Spokane. The student presenters were Jarred Jackman, Amy Stanton, Sarah Widdop, Randall Walker, Valorie Vucich, Pepper Beaucage, and Kara Hamilton. The group presented reflections on their participation in the GenY project. Woodring's involvement with this project is co-directed by faculty members Angela Harwood and Tim Keiper.

The GenY experience allows Secondary Education students to take their instructional technology course in combination with practicum experience in a field-based setting at Shuksan Middle School in Bellingham or at Ferndale High School. The Woodring students are learning specific technology skills alongside Shuksan and Ferndale students, all of whom are then able to help teachers who seek assistance.

For example, one teacher wanted to create a website to enhance a unit on Japanese culture but did not know how to proceed. Woodring students worked with high school students and the classroom teacher to make the site a reality. In some cases, Woodring students and the Shuksan or Ferndale students have taught in the same classroom together. After the practicum is over, the high school and middle school students are still available to help teachers maintain or expand their computer-enhanced projects.

As a result of this experience, the Secondary Education students have opportunities to apply knowledge and skills in an authentic environment. Middle and high school students, some previously labeled as "marginal" or "invisible," assumed leadership roles and have a positive impact on the school. Because of the success of the project, the Secondary Education Department is planning to utilize and expand this approach in its graduate program next year.

For more information on the GenY project, please contact Tim Keiper at 360/650-3329, or tim.keiper@wwu.edu, or Angie Harwood at 360/650-3328, or angela.harwood@wwu.edu.

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