FSOE faculty present at international teaching conference

Two faculty from Trine University’s Franks School of Education presented a session on using technology to reach introverted students at an international conference over the summer.

Ashley Overton, Ph.D., and Megan Tolin, both assistant professors, presented at the 2019 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference, held June 23-26 in Philadelphia.

ISTE is a nonprofit organization that serves educators interested in the use of technology in education. Serving more than 100,000 education stakeholders throughout the world through individual and organizational membership and support services, ISTE provides educational technology resources to support professional learning for educators and education leaders.

Overton and Tolin submitted their proposal for the presentation in Oct. 2018. Of 735 such proposals submitted, only 110 were accepted, Overton said.

During the session, Overton addressed some common misconceptions about introverted students, while Tolin shared ways to allow such students to interact using technology. More than 50 attended the presentation, with attendees describing the session as “fantastic,” “great and engaging,” and “interactive but not invasive.”

The session also received coverage in a blog on the Education Week website.

“The Franks School of Education is doing amazing things,” said Overton. “Seeing our story in EdWeek validated the hard work the faculty within the department is doing.”

Photo: Ashley Overton, Ph.D., left, and Megan Tolin, both assistant professors in Trine University's Franks School of Education, gave a presentation on using technology to reach introverted students at this summer's International Society for Technology in Education Conference.