Sara Armstrong, Ph.D.

BIO

Sara holds two B.A.s—one in English from California State University, Los Angeles, and one in psychology from California State University, Sonoma. She completed her work for a California credential, a Master's program in leadership and reading, and a Ph.D. in the philosophy of education at the University of California, Berkeley.

Sara was a pioneer in putting kids in touch with kids they wouldn't ordinarily meet. In the early 1980's, Sara's school was linked by Atari 800 computers and 300 baud modems to a school in Forest Hill, CA, for weekly interactive "book talks." She saw the power of the computer for communication and sharing.

Her work as a professional developer began early on, when she taught Montessori curriculum classes, and then technology integration classes in the mid 1980's. She is often asked to keynote and speak at conferences, such as Computer-Using Educators (CUE), NECC, NCCE, ASTE, NSBA T&L, CLMS/CLHS, and NSDC. Her professional development clients include CTAP, The MY HERO Project, the Buck Institute for Education, CUE, Lake Washington School District, and Technology & Learning.

Sara is an Associate of the Thornburg Center for Professional Development, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Global SchoolNet Foundation, the Center for Accessible Technology, and CTAP Region IV's and the River School Advisory Councils. She is a recipient of both of CUE's high honors: a Gold Disk and a Platinum Disk.

Programs
Presentations can take the form of keynote addresses, conference sessions, specialized workshops for conferences, or ongoing professional development at a variety of educational venues. All topics listed can be adapted for each audience and format requirement.

Project-Based Learning in a Technology Rich Environment

The challenge of bringing 21st Century learning and teaching into today’s schools is huge. Many schools and districts across the country have found that project-based learning addresses the challenge. Students learn to work collaboratively, research effectively, present their findings, draw from all disciplines, and realize the “real world” applications of how they spend their time at school. And test scores go up. See examples. Develop criteria for your own setting. Share ideas. Our kids (and teachers) deserve it.

Digital Storytelling: Using Multimedia Tools to Tell the Tale

Once upon a time, we all learned our lessons sitting around a campfire, or our grandmother's kitchen, as the elders told us stories that taught how to think, how to act, and what was important in life. Today, technology tools make it possible for everyone to share themselves and their learning using words, images, sounds, and other effects. A huge audience--the whole world--awaits the insights of you and your students.

Information Literacy

Since we all suffer from TMI (too much information) these days, we must help students sort through what they see and hear from the myriad sources available, incuding television, radio, billboards, books, magazines, and the Internet. There are solid criteria for evaluating websites, video segments, TV ads, and other media. Familiarizing students with these tools equips them for critically analyzing anything they see and hear.

Participating in the Global Conversation

Through online projects, students can learn about themselves and others as they share knowledge, increase understanding, and develop cross-cultural skills. Projects ranging from The MY HERO Project to Global SchoolNet Foundation's CyberFair and Doors to Diplomacy and the ThinkQuest contests allow students to share opinions, ideas, stories, short films, and art work. 

Multiple Intelligences in the Curriculum

We all encompass varying degrees of a variety of intelligences, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalist, interpersonal, and intrapersonal abilities. When we can provide opportunities for students to learn using these intelligences, they strengthen their abilities in all areas.

Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning

Effective use of technology skills enhances instruction in all areas of the curriculum. An array of tools, Web sites, online and offline materials make teaching and learning more interesting for teachers and students.