Laurie Gelles, director of technology in the College of Education and Social Services, has been selected to join the Apple Distinguished Educators Class of 2015 for her work in helping integrate technology across CESS.  

Launched in 1994, the Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) Program was created to recognize K-12 and higher education innovators who were using a variety of Apple products to transform teaching and learning. Gelles, who earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy at UVM, joins more than 2,000 “visionary educators and innovative leaders who are doing amazing things with Apple technology in and out of the classroom,” according to a press release by Apple. 

“This really speaks to the great work we are doing in the College of Education and Social Services relating to technology integration for our pre-service educators and social service students,” said Gelles, whose ADE class included the largest application pool ever. 

Gelles, along with team members Adam Deyo and Casey Rock, both technology support specialists in CESS, have helped faculty across CESS implement a wide range of technology integration projects. They include using WordPress blogs and iMovie to allow students to share their understanding of literature; iOS apps and mobile technologies to explore mindfullness in special education; technology to teach mathematics through movement; students using iBooks Author to document work with children for assessment by teachers; VideoAnt to work with students on video analysis and annotation to encourage reflective teaching practice; blogging to aid the discussion around digital citizenship; mobile devices to help with the media documentation of children's learning and exploration by mentor teachers at the Campus Children's School; digital storytelling in teaching and research; and working with students to develop and implement webquests in their teaching placements.