Workshop+Leaders

**Kim Cofino, Yokohama, Japan**
Originally from the US, Kim is an enthusiastic and innovative globally-minded educator. Kim has been teaching internationally for over 10 years, first in Munich, Germany, then in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, next at the International School Bangkok in Thailand, and currently at Yokohama International School in Japan.

An Apple Distinguished Educator, her work focuses on helping core subject teachers authentically embed current and emerging technologies in the classroom to create a global and collaborative learning environment. Her inquiry-based, constructivist approach to teaching utilizes project-based learning experiences developed using the Understanding by Design process combined with the MYP Technology Design Cycle.

Kim regularly consults with other international schools interested in implementing 21st century learning, has been profiled on a number of educational websites and journals, is a member of the K12 Horizon Report Advisory Board 2008 – present, and is a regular presenter and keynote speaker at conferences and professional development sessions throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her professional blog, Always Learning, is an invaluable resource for teachers seeking examples of authentic student engagement.

Chris Betcher, Sydney, Australia
As someone who has been in (and occasionally out of) education for over 20 years, Chris has a few opinions on how I'd like it to work. And mostly it doesn't work the way he'd like. Chris is particularly interested in thinking about how schools need to change to accommodate today's learners, how technology should be used to make learning more interesting, relevant, fun and engaging, and how technology should be used to support people, not drive them crazy.

Chris currently provides ICT Integration support at [|Presbyterian Ladies College] in Sydney, Australia. He originally trained as an art teacher, but thanks to an interest in graphics and design, he gradually drifted away from that role and into a variety of technology-related areas including the teaching of computing, multimedia and webdesign, professional support in educational eLearning, network administration and IT management, and even some private consulting in educational ICT.

Being somewhat of a dilettante, Chris has had broad experience with a range of educational technologies, and that gives him a unique outlook on things. He enjoys sharing ideas with others, and in the last few years has [|presented at educational conferences and workshops] in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Vietnam and China on a wide range of edtech-related topics. As well as his professional blog, he has also created other web-based communities and tools, including a podcast called [|The Virtual Staffroom] which looks at issues of relevance to teachers working with technology; [|The IWB Revolution], a Ning community for IWB users interested in using interactive technology more effectively; and a [|wiki] , where he collects notes, slideshows, video and audio recording of conferences sessions and pretty much any other random stuff he may be working on. Along with Mal Lee, he is also the co-author of the book "[|The Interactive Whiteboard Revolution: Teaching with IWBs]"

Chris is an [|Adobe Education Leader], a [|Google Certified teacher], and in 2010 he received the inaugural [|Australasian Educational Media Award] at the [|2010 ACEC Conference] in Melbourne. This award was designed to // "acknowledge the contribution of Australasian educators who support the learning community through blogs, wikis, podcasts, forums, mailing lists, virtual communities and other internet resources." //