BestPrep and University of St. Thomas collaborate to offer professional development for educators
For the 13th year, BestPrep and the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business and School of Education will work together to host the Technology Integration Workshop (TIW), a virtual immersive program for Minnesota educators to learn about technology tools and key career skills their students will need for future success.
During the workshop, participants learn about strategies and resources from educational technology experts for incorporating existing and emerging technologies into their curriculum that will support student learning and engagement. Last year, Kathlene Campbell, Dean of the School of Education, presented the workshop’s keynote session.
BestPrep also coordinates a job shadow for each attendee with a volunteer from a leading Minnesota business. During the job shadows, educators learn about the current trends in the workplace, providing them with a new perspective that will allow them to better prepare their students for future careers.
By the end of the program, participants will have updated a technology-infused unit plan ready to use for the new school year.
Last year, TIW hosted its first-ever virtual workshop experience to ensure the safety of attendees due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Attendees responded with positive feedback, noting that the workshop allowed them to conveniently collaborate with peers, share ideas, and engage in hands-on learning that helped them prepare for the upcoming school year.
One educator from 2020 said “I learned about a ton of amazing technology integration ideas. The online format of the workshop was perfect for presenters to be able to showcase various digital platforms. I would definitely do this again. I am a lover of technology and any time I can incorporate that into my teaching to make it more fun, engaging, and interesting, I will!”
Registration is open – sign up online today. For more information about the Technology Integration Workshop, contact Stephanie Musgrove, Program Manager, at smusgrove@bestprep.org or 763.233.6328.
About BestPrep
BestPrep is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing students with business, career and financial literacy skills through hands-on experiences that inspire success in work and life. BestPrep offers seven innovative programs including: Classroom Plus, Cloud Coach, eMentors, Financial Matters, Minnesota Business Venture, The Stock Market Game™, and the Technology Integration Workshop. The organization has served more than 1.6 million students and teachers since its creation in 1976. For more information, visit www.bestprep.org.
About the University of St. Thomas
Nationally ranked in the top 20 Catholic universities by U.S. News & World Report, the University of St. Thomas is big enough to offer more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors, yet small enough for professors to know every student’s first name. In addition, St. Thomas offers leading Twin Cities graduate programs in business, engineering, law, education, social work, and arts and humanities. At both the undergraduate and graduate level, St. Thomas emphasizes practical skills and hands-on experience that prepare students for today’s workplace, while also preparing them for long-term success by building timeless qualities including leadership, creativity and ethical decision-making. Students have opportunities to conduct research alongside faculty in fields ranging from engineering and environmental science to English. The university’s partnerships (with Fortune 500 companies and its 110,000+ alumni) connect students to internships and job opportunities – 71 percent of undergraduates complete at least one internship. Ninety-five percent of students are employed or enrolled in graduate school within one year of graduation. Campus life means getting involved. Now NCAA Division-I athletics, St. Thomas has 22 varsity sports to play or cheer on. Students widely participate in academic and recreational clubs and can live in learning communities with students who share their affinities. Learn more about St. Thomas at https://education.stthomas.edu/.