Читать книгу Teaching the Last Backpack Generation - Zachary Walker - Страница 7

Zachary Walkeris the founder of Last Backpack Generation and is currently a faculty member at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. Zachary is a special educator and technology consultant who teaches preservice teachers and provides professional development for districts, schools, and businesses. Zachary is a certified teacher who has taught at the primary, secondary, and university levels. His current research focuses on the impact of mobile technology on both students and teachers and practical strategies for teachers at all levels. He was one of five recipients of the 2012 Think College Emerging Scholar Award for his research on the use of technology to prepare students for postsecondary environments. Zachary has worked with educators in the United States, Asia, Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean. He also worked with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) International Bureau of Education (IBE) on issues related to inclusive educational policy.

Kara Rosenblattis an assistant professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Dr. Rosenblatt obtained her master’s degree in Special Education, Learning Disabilities, and Behavior Disorders in 2001 from Florida State University and her doctoral degree in Exceptional Education in 2009 from the University of Central Florida. In her current role, Dr. Rosenblatt teaches undergraduate and graduate level special education courses. In addition to her teaching experience in higher education, Dr. Rosenblatt has experience working within state agencies, collaborating with special education personnel and agencies to coordinate training and delivery of services focused on improving the use of assistive technology, accessible instructional materials, and virtual instruction and assessment. Dr. Rosenblatt’s research interests revolve around technology and learning, with a specific interest in the academic achievement and post high school outcomes of students with disabilities and the use of technology in teacher preparation and professional development. She has facilitated and evaluated professional development projects on the implementation of research-based strategies, parent–school collaboration, and the legal aspects of special education throughout Florida and Mississippi. She spent five years working with middle school students with behavioral and learning disabilities in Florida and Maryland.

Don McMahonis an assistant professor of Special Education Technology at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Don received his doctorate in education from the Special Education PhD program at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In addition to his doctoral work, Don attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Universal Design for Learning Summer Institute. His research involves increasing the use of universal design for learning principles in education, using mobile devices to increase achievement for students with disabilities, and exploring the impact of augmented reality as an assistive technology for students with disabilities. Don was a special education teacher for seven years and then became an instructional coach for general education and special education teachers. Don is a national presenter, providing professional development sessions for both general educators and special educators on using mobile devices in education. He has worked with diverse groups of children in a variety of ways, including as the director of an adventure-based summer camp, an outdoor educator and sailing instructor, a volunteer in Haiti, a technology instructor, and a teacher at an alternative school.