Connected Tech in Education Advisory Council

Join us:

PLEASE NOTE: Membership in MTAM is required to participate in Advisory Councils. Membership information is available at this link.

What are the challenges of 'Connected Tech in Education'?

Lack of interest by female and minority students in pursuing Connected Tech-related careers
Parents actively discouraging female students in particular, to pursue Connected Tech-related careers
Lack of funding to provide technology curriculum in K-12 education
Lack of educator familiarity with devices, content, capabilities, and use within diverse career paths for students
Lack of training available to educators across the education spectrum so they can share their knowledge with students
Educator-resistance to the technology; lack of understanding of the significant impact it will have in every student's career path and the urgent need to provide guided knowledge related to these technologies
Limited access to devices within the learning environment
Managing student access to in-class content to ensure achievement of training goals
Costs of implementation in the education environment; devices, data, connection costs, software
Security

The importance of 'Connected Tech in Education':

The education industry needs to embrace Connected (mobile/wireless) technologies from a variety of perspectives, namely:

educational institutions need to incorporate training about connected (mobile/wireless) technologies into the curriculum for all areas of training so they can prepare students for careers in which every job will in some way use and be impacted by, these technologies
schools need to increase availability of coding / computer science courses
schools need to require educators to obtain training in connected technologies and their use across a wide variety of industries so they are capable of sharing knowledge with students
schools need to actively engage parents in the connected technology learning process so parents will be confident of the opportunity such careers provide for their children
how can utilizing these technologies in the learning environment increase student learning capabilities
how can utilizing these technologies in the learning environment increase instructor productivity and effectiveness
educational institutions needs to aid students in identifying skill areas that can be enhanced by the use of these technologies so they are prepared to seek out jobs which at this time may not yet exist

Why MTAM has formed a 'Connected Tech in Education' Advisory Council:

As part of MTAM's effort to address the challenges around mLearning and 'Connected Tech in Education' efforts and ensure that Michigan is leading the way in local, state, national and international initiatives driving growth in this sector, the trade association has activated a statewide 'Connected Tech in Education' Advisory Council.

This council is tasked with assisting the trade association with development of resources, events, policy recommendations, strategies, and educational / networking opportunities for those working in public and private educational institutions at the K-12 and post-secondary levels, for those providing connected (mobile / wireless) technology products and services to the education community, and for employers to collaborate with education to ensure a pipeline of qualified future employees.

The ultimate goal is to graduate students who are skilled in the use of connected (mobile/wireless) technologies in whatever career path they choose in order to fulfill current and future demand from global employers.

MTAM 'Connected Tech in Education' Advisory Council Objectives:

facilitate the use of mLearning initiatives within the learning environment
Identify training needs of K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions (for both educators and students) and assist MTAM in obtaining grant funding to produce programs to meet those needs
Examine proposed and existing regulations related to the use of connected (mobile/wireless) technologies in the education environment; recommend positions MTAM should consider supporting and provide information as to the reason for that recommendation
Identify information that is recommended for dissemination to MTAM general membership, as well as the education community specifically
Assist MTAM in developing a database of 'Connected Tech in Education' expert speakers that the association may refer for speaker requests
Assist MTAM in developing strategies to build/launch the 'MTAM Student Chapters' initiative, and aid in the development of programming for those chapters
Promote MTAM resources to educational institutions to obtain increased involvement in MTAM by the educational community, and increased focus on connected (mobile/wireless) technologies in the educational environment
Facilitate relationships for MTAM within the educational community
Promote MTAM content in social media and promote events sponsored by the trade association to the educational community
Assist MTAM in the development and implementation of strategies that will increase the use of connected (mobile/wireless) technologies within the learning environment
Write whitepapers, blog articles, case studies and other documents which may be utilized by MTAM to aid in educating the education community about the importance of connected (mobile/wireless) technologies - for the educational institutions, as well as for the future careers of their students
Other items as defined by the council which may be beneficial to MTAM and its mission of growing the use of, and education about, connected (mobile/wireless) technologies in the education community