Project-based Learning and Verizon's Thinkfinity

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Date: Friday, August 10, 2007
Time: 10 a.m. — 12 Noon

This session gives an overview of project-based learning and why it is important for Neighborhood Networks centers. Supporting the learning that youth are experiencing at school provides a base for creating a more successful learner at Neighborhood Networks centers. Another highlight of this session provides participants with resources previously only available to schools via Verizon’s Thinkfinity Web-based tool. This workshop is provided by the NNNC.

Presenters:

Karen Mack
Thinkfinity National Cadre Traine
Verizon Foundation Thinkfinity.org Program

An educational professional with more than 37 years of classroom teaching and teacher educator experience, Karen Mack has been recognized by both private and public sectors as a Master Teacher. In addition, her model for the design and implementation of technology-rich, standards-based curriculum has been widely replicated. As New York State Thinkfinity Web and alignment coordinator, Mack is responsible for the review of all Thinkfinity resources and their correlations to New York state learning standards. Mack has brought her extensive knowledge of these resources to her kindergarten through 12th-grade classroom teaching and afterschool programs, as well as to her graduate-level courses for teachers. She has presented at numerous national and regional conferences, including the National Educational Computing Conference, the Keystone Conference, and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association’s ELITE Conference. Mack earned a master’s degree in instructional technology from the New York Institute of Technology.

Ken White
Director of Resident Services
National Housing Partnership Foundation

Ken White is the national director for resident services for The NHP Foundation, an affordable housing nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. In this position, White directs comprehensive programs and services for residents in housing communities in 11 states reaching more than 5,000 families. White has spent his career working with youth living in innercity poverty. He has been recognized by the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana for his commitment to children and youth during his tenure as a principal of an inner-city school. He also earned the recognition of the United States Congressional Black Caucus for bringing technology education into urban housing communities. White holds a master’s degree in educational leadership.