Associate Institution Presenters

 

ACER
Adele Butler and Glenda Robertson

Title: An overview of services offered to schools by the Australian Council for Educational Research

Description: ACER works with governments across the world to build capacity and assist in improving outcomes for schools. This workshop will highlight some of ACER’s key research and available services

Biography:
Ms Adele Butler is the General Manager for the Schools Program within Assessment Services. She joined ACER in 1999 and has responsibility for all national and international services delivered to schools. Ms Butler has extensive experience in project management and is currently Project Director for the International Benchmark Tests and iAchieve, an online assessment tool for schools. Prior to her appointment at ACER Ms Butler was employed at RMIT University for ten years. At RMIT she was Head of the Learning Skills Unit which provided academic support to both sectors of the University. Ms Butler was also responsible for a number of Faculty projects which necessitated the development of online and CD-ROM material. Ms. Butler’s earlier teaching background was in secondary schools with over 15 years experience as a senior Math and Physics teacher teaching in both Australia and the UK.

Ms. Glenda Robertson is the Senior Project Officer for the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) Program within Assessment Services. She joined ACER in 2005 and has responsibility for administration of the ISA. Prior to joining ACER Ms Robertson worked in tertiary education administration in New Zealand and as a researcher in the United States. She completed a Master of Arts degree in East Asian Studies at Harvard University.

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American Public University System
Cindy Emmans

Topic : ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Title: Meeting WASC Requirements for Staff Development via Online Education

Description: Administrators and teachers can take classes to earn credits and advanced degrees from accredited institutions that are totally online. This presentation explores the best options for international school educators in terms of quality, flexibility, and price. These courses can be an integral part of your WASC self study demonstrating that your school has plans to provide ongoing professional development that supports student learning.

Biography:
Cindy Emmans, Ed.D., is the Dean of the School of Education at American Public University System (APUS). She holds a doctorate in Educational Technology from Boston University and has held administrative and teaching positions at San Diego State University, Ashford University, Walden University, Central Washington University, Boston University, and University of Maryland University College. Having also worked and taught in K-12 situations, she has a broad knowledge base of all aspects of public and private education.

Her expertise lies in the areas of online and traditional adult education, computer applications training, Internet ethics, educational leadership and administration, and grant writing. She was the designer and chief administrator of several masters’ degree programs for Boston University and the University of Maryland University College, and also designed and ran an innovative doctoral program for Boston University. Dr. Emmans has valuable knowledge and insight relative to online professional development opportunities for international educators.

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Better Chinese
James Lin

Topic : Implementing articulated K-12 Mandarin programs in international schools
Title:Strategies for Implementing a Successful K-12 Mandarin Program

Description: This workshop will demonstrate how the Better Chinese curriculum can motivate students to learn Chinese and extend that learning beyond the classroom. The presenters will brainstorm challenges that teachers face in their Mandarin classrooms today, and how those problems can be addressed with story-based and student-centered curricular materials.

Biography:
James Lin is the Chief Executive Officer and founding member of Better Chinese, a leading publisher in Chinese language and cultural learning materials, providing curricular programs to schools around the world. Mr. Lin graduated from Brown University with honors bachelor and master’s degrees. He has more than 10 years of experience in education and strategy consulting. Prior to Better Chinese, he was a founding member of L Labs and a senior management consultant at the Monitor Group. His focus has been recreating an interactive foreign language learning experience for students combing proven pedagogical methods and technologies.

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Book Promotion & Sevices Co. Ltd.
Esat Ugurlu

Topic : Technological Developments on K-12 Online Educational Products
Title: An overview of recent developments in K-12 online learning tools.

Description: This workshop aims to educate the audience on new technological developments in K-12 educational products. Some of the products we are going to demonstrate and discuss include Turnitin-the plagiarism prevention solution, Riverdeep-Destination series, and World Book Web-online reference products.

Biography:
Mr. Esat Ugurlu is a product manager at iGroup (Asia-Pacific), specializing on new educational technologies and K-12 products. For more than twenty years, iGroup and its subsidiaries have worked with publishers and libraries to bring research information to the desks of Asian academics, students, and research scientists.

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Finalsite
Clive Ungless

Topic : Finalsite Web Software and Solutions for International Schools
Title: Websites, Portals, and Data – Challenges and Best Practices

Description:
This talk will look at a number of the challenges and possibilities involved for schools in providing dynamic websites with rich content, timely updates, effective constituent portals, and robust data flow. There will be a review and demonstration of some best practices and time for discussion of various solutions and applications.

Biography:
Based in London, Clive Ungless is Director of International Operations for finalsite, a software company from Connecticut specializing in web based solutions for schools. Educated at Royal Holloway College, London University and the Royal College of Music, Clive began his working career as a professional musician, playing with a number of baroque ensembles including the world renowned English Baroque Soloists. He has worked for over twenty years in international education in a variety of roles; as a history and humanities teacher, Dean of Students, Webmaster, IT Director, and Communications Director. Clive joined finalsite in 2007 and he has primary responsibility for sales and project development for all client schools and colleges outside the US. Clive is an enthusiastic glider pilot and loves to fly when he can get time away from his computer.

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Follett International
Tim Ramsey / Tim Donlan

Topic: School Resource Management
Title: Maximizing your ROI with Follett’s Destiny Resource and Textbook Management Solutions

Description:
The instructional demands on your school are growing. Unfortunately, your administrative budget isn't. At Follett Software, we've taken a centralized approach to this tough challenge with the Destiny Resource Management Solution, a powerful, browser-based software suite to help streamline the business of education. Schools are using this comprehensive system to centrally manage library materials, textbooks, instructional media and other critical assets--helping to reduce redundant purchasing, ensure resource availability, simplify reporting and enable accountability across the school.

Biography:
As a teacher and a librarian, Tim Ramsey has been an educator for over twenty years. Throughout his educational career, Tim worked to ensure that available electronic and physical resources were being fully utilized at the schools he worked for in an effort to enhance student achievement. Now working for Follett International, Tim continues to enhance the teaching and learning experience at many schools by providing educational services, resources and solutions to schools throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Tim Donlan has been working for Follett for more than twelve years starting at Follett Software Company as a Technical Support Staff, then Senior Network Engineer and is currently Regional Sales Manager for Follett International managing sales for Northern and Western Asia. Tim’s extensive knowledge of the K-12 educational market has enabled him to consult educators and administrators all over Asia. He provides them with solutions that help improve their library/school efficiencies and with tools that help enhance their teaching and learning experience over all.

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Lehigh International
Alexander Weismann / Arpana Inman

Topic : Globalizing and LeadershipEducational Leaders
Title: Globalizing Educational Leaders: What you need to know and do

Description:
This workshop will examine current trends in leadership in general and then focus on leadership and schooling and identify competencies needed to oversee international schools today. Participants will interact in a participatory fish bowl exercise to engage members to discuss key issues around leading schools.

Biography:
Alexander W. Wiseman, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Comparative and International Education program in the College of Education at Lehigh University in the USA. Dr. Wiseman holds a BA in Letters from the University of Oklahoma, MA in Education from The University of Tulsa, MA in International Comparative Education from Stanford University, and a PhD in the dual areas of Educational Theory and Policy as well as Comparative and International Education. In addition to his academic appointments at The University of Tulsa (2001-2007) and Lehigh University (2007-Present), Dr. Wiseman has also worked as a consultant for the Australian Council on Educational Research (ACER), the American Institutes for Research (AIR), and several higher education institutions. Prior to working as a consultant and in higher education, Dr. Wiseman was a classroom teacher both in Japan and New Mexico in the USA.

Dr. Inman's scholastic and research interests are in the areas of multicultural issues and South Asian-Asian American concerns. Specifically, these interests span several topics including immigrant experiences, acculturation, cultural identities, the psychology of women, and multicultural competencies in supervision and training and social justice and advocacy.

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NOVA Southeastern University
Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli / Dr. Vanaja Nethi

Topic: A professional development opportunity for administrators and teachers in EARCOS schools
Title: Blended Learning: A Growing Trend in Graduate Programs for Working Professionals

Description:
Discusses online learning, its strengths and limitations using the Nova Southeastern University doctoral program in education as an example. Participants then examine the ‘applied research’ concept as a tool that can serve both the needs of the school in providing meaningful information and the individual in achieving academic advancement.

Biography:
Anthony J. DeNapoli, Ed.D., is Executive Dean for External and International Affairs at the Fischler School of Education and Human Services (FSEHS) at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
He is the author of numerous articles on school reform and restructuring, the integration of technology into the curriculum and international education. Dr. DeNapoli established the first Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Institute in the US at NSU, and continues to be committed to international education and the development of innovative degree, non-degree and professional development programs for educators worldwide.

Vanaja Nethi, Ph.D., is Program Professor at FSEHS and Regional Liaison for Southeast Asia. She did her doctorate at Cornell University and her masters at the University of London. Her background is in science education, research methodology and program evaluation. She is committed to international education and bringing educational opportunities to students worldwide through innovative technologies and teaching methods.

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PACE Education
Paul Cabrelli

Topic : Compensation packages in Asia. Faculty and administrator salaries and benefits reviews - a comparison of latest trends across international schools in Asia and further afield.
Title: Faculty and administrator compensation in Asia. Find out the latest buzz.

Description:
Struggling to fill those key posts? Inundated with applications? Paying too much? Too little? Just right? All international schools must ensure that their compensation packages permit the school to employ and retain high quality faculty and administrators. Find out some of the latest trends in compensation packages for teachers and administrators in Asia.

Biography:
Paul Cabrelli runs Pace Education, an education consultancy service based in Hong Kong and Bangkok. Paul has been in education all his working life. He began as a teacher of economics in his homeland of Scotland before moving into the international school world. After a long career as a teacher, head of department, business manager and senior administrator in international schools, Paul set up Pace Education three years ago and now works with many international schools, largely in Asia.

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PEARSON
Yvonne Tavares Loh

Topic : Resources for your School
Title: Pearsonville – who lives there?

Description:
Find out more about Pearson – what Pearson has to offer your school – everything from school texts, online support, assessments and professional development.

Biography:
Yvonne is currently the Sales & Marketing Manager for Pearson South Asia located in Singapore. She visits and consults with International Schools and bi-lingual schools in Southeast Asia.

Prior to joining Pearson, Yvonne had taught elementary school at the Singapore American School. She had also taught EFL in Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. At various points in her work life, she has been a technical writer, a project manager, and a corporate trainer. She is the proud parent of an International School graduate.

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PRONIN International
Nick Pronin

Topic: Sourcing Books and Material
Title: Moving to the next level of International School resourcing

Description:
Outlining the latest advances in providing books and materials for international schools in the EARCOS region, including new consolidated web support. Schools in this region can save time and money by using this option.

Biography:
Nick Pronin MNIA is principal of Pronin International, international schools consolidators since 1991 based in Sydney Australia. He has worked in the school supply industry since 1980 and the company was the dominant textbook supplier in their home market until 2004 when that part of the business was sold. This has enabled the company to focus solely on the international market. Mr. Chris Pronin is the Operations Manager in the industry for 8 years.

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REDIKER Software
Richard Rediker

Topic: Technology and innovation in school administrative software.
Title: Invest in Your School’s Future: Put Technology to Work for You

Description: Discover how technology is bringing schools to a higher level. Families and staff connect to your school securely to collaborate and improve education. Great-looking report cards in multiple languages and electronic portfolios enhance the school’s image and increase communication. Learn about advances in schedule building, hand-held devices, integrated e-mail, an electronic teacher evaluator, a comprehensive admissions system, and an accounting program with dual currency capability!

Biography:
Richard Rediker, founder and President of Rediker Software, is a former journalist and high school teacher. For nearly 30 years, Administrator’s Plus has been the school administrative software trusted by schools all over the world. His passion for education, and for providing clear and comprehensive solutions to schools, allows Rich to speak from the heart of an educator with the mind of an innovator. Rich is a charismatic speaker whose humor, enthusiasm and global perspective have been well received at numerous international conferences.

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