PV teacher participates in literacy focus panel at EdSurge

In one of the final events of the EdSurge Conference, a focus panel of four educators was asked to speak about literacy and its connection to educational technology.

The focus group was comprised of Ms. Liana Summey, an English teacher at East Side High School, Ms. Melissa Perlman, a representative from TurnItIn, TC Niemann, a teacher from Hostos-Lincoln Academy, and finally Mr. Matt Morone, an English teacher from Pascack Valley.

Morone began by describing to the audience how his new “open-classroom” is conducted at PV. By assigning all of the year’s tasks at the beginning of the school year, Morone allows his students to guide their own education throughout the year.

“Our role as teachers should shift to being mentors and facilitators,” Morone said regarding the role of teachers in the classroom.

When asked about educational technology, which is vital to his new “open classroom” format, Morone described that teachers must use technology in innovative and intelligent ways.

“Tools are the great leveler,” Morone said. “But the tool has to fit the job, you can’t approach technology experiences with software in one hand and a crowbar in the other.”

From this experience, Morone learned more about other school districts, as well as our own.

“No matter how different the districts, schools, and classrooms in New Jersey, certain fundamental questions always come up in every district: how can we help students grow?” Morone said.