Blackfoot Hosts Third Annual Education Technology Conference for Teachers

Integrating effective teaching technology into the classroom is foundational to many economic development efforts happening across Montana. That’s what the upcoming Education Technology Conference (ETC), sponsored by Blackfoot Telecommunications Group, is all about. The 2012 Conference, "New Tools: New Worlds of Learning," will offer practical, hands-on learning that Montana’s educators can apply in their classrooms to help students learn in more relevant ways and excel in tomorrow’s competitive economy.

This year’s ETC will return to the University of Montana for a three-day conference starting August 6 at 9am. Renowned speaker, Lucy Gray, the Education Technology Specialist with the University of Chicago’s Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education, will kick off the event. Gray’s keynote presentation "Mobilizing Learning" will expand educator’s knowledge of resources related to mobile learning. "I’m excited to be visiting Montana for the first time and am eager to help educators think about modernizing their teaching practices for today’s learner in tomorrow’s economy," commented Gray.

Blackfoot initiated the Education Technology Conference in 2009 with the goal of helping rural school teachers integrate technology into their classroom, bringing lessons to life and future economic opportunities for their students to reality. "As a technology company that provides world class broadband infrastructure to 20 western Montana rural communities, we are committed through our education programs to provide the same or better access to our educators and students that communities in more metropolitan areas enjoy today," added Bill Squires, CEO of Blackfoot.

For ETC 2012, Blackfoot recruited 35 local, state and national technology education leaders to instruct over 150 teachers and administrators with hands-on training and tools to help students engage in learning and stay safe on the Internet. A full conference schedule and online registration is available at http://www.blackfoot.com/etc. In addition excellent programming, Blackfoot sponsors the $150 conference fee for all of their Cooperative member schools* as a free Cooperative member benefit.

"It’s through the leadership of Blackfoot that our educators have the opportunity to gather and focus on the ever-changing world of technology that is so integral to the lives of students," commented Russ Fletcher, Founder of the Montana Associate Technology Roundtables." ETC offers a unique opportunity for teachers and students to engage around some of the best technology tools and practices available today. The result is really twofold: teachers educating students about the best uses of technology in learning, and students learning important life lessons for even brighter futures."

*The ETC fee is sponsored for Blackfoot Cooperative members residing in Alberton, Alta, Arlee, Avon, Charlo, Clinton, Condon, Dixon, Drummond, Haugan, Noxon, Ovando, Philipsburg, Plains, Potomac, Powell (ID), St.Ignatius, St. Regis, Seeley Lake, Superior, and Thompson Falls. For non-members, the cost of attending the conference is $150 and includes lunch. To learn more about the ETC conference and to register, visit http://www.blackfoot.com/etc or email [email protected] . Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/blackfootetc.

About Blackfoot Telecommunications Group

Named after the Blackfoot River running through much of the territory it serves, the Blackfoot Telecommunications Group (Blackfoot) was originally established in 1954 as Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative. Blackfoot offers state-of-the-art telecommunications, Internet and data solutions to customers in Missoula and throughout Montana and Idaho. Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Blackfoot employs more than 165 Montanans. Blackfoot can be reached at 406-541-5000 or through online at http://www.blackfoot.com.