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Our Mission
The Center for Technology and School Change is committed to the creation of innovative learning environments for all students. Recognizing technology as a catalyst for transforming instruction, the Center engages in research and practice to reimagine approaches to equitable education in the digital age.
Dr. Ellen Meier
Director and Co-Founder
Dr. Meier is the Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Technology and School Change and a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is also Co-Chair of the University of the State of New York Council on Technology Policy and Practice, a panel appointed by the Regents to examine technology use in public schools, libraries, museums and other similar state agencies.
Dr. Meier is the Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Technology and School Change and a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is also Co-Chair of the University of the State of New York Council on Technology Policy and Practice, a panel appointed by the Regents to examine technology use in public schools, libraries, museums and other similar state agencies. She began her career as a teacher in a federal experimental school program in Minnesota with an interest in school reform and equity, and soon pursued school change issues more broadly in a succession of regional and national responsibilities. Over the past dozen years, in collaboration with the Center’s professional developers, she has shaped the Center’s successful approach for integrating technology, using a design process focused on essential questions. Dr. Meier also directs the Center’s numerous evaluation and research grants related to technology integration. She holds an Ed.D. in Leadership and Organization from Teachers College, Columbia University, an M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. in English Education from the University of Iowa.
CTSC Team
The CTSC team is unique, bringing both classroom experience and disciplinary content expertise in using technology. Center staff come from a variety of different backgrounds, including teachers, engineers, and researchers studying the impact of technology in classrooms. CTSC staff are education professionals who share a vision and deep understanding of how technology can be used effectively in the classroom.
Explore Our Degree Program
Technology is changing every aspect of our world, but schools are still discovering creative uses of technology that engage students in authentic learning projects. This New York State certification program explores exciting uses of technology that change the way we think about traditional educational practices. Program graduates are prepared to support K-12 teachers across different content areas in the design and implementation of technology-integrated projects and to serve in leadership roles within schools, school districts or other educational settings.
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Highlights
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The Center for Technology and School Change (CTSC) kicked off a summer institute series for over 125 educators taking part in the National Science Foundation-funded STILE grant (Systemic Transformation of Inquiry Learning Environments) this past July and August 2022.
Four multi-day virtual institutes were held with a cohort of 20 participating New York City schools across all boroughs. During these highly interactive sessions, educators developed a shared language around STEM and transdisciplinary concepts, and explored a process for designing projects contextualized to the realities of their schools. Teachers left the institute with anticipation for bringing STEM to life in their classrooms. As one teacher noted, this work will “open students to new and different learning experiences.”
CTSC’s STILE initiative represents a 10+ year effort to design and implement an effective approach to building STEM practices for teachers and school leaders. The shift to transdisciplinary learning requires a new pedagogical perspective, and reflection on the everyday structure of schooling. STILE educators will work alongside CTSC facilitators to design a STEM project over the course of the academic year.
CTSC looks forward to continuing the work with NYC educators and to sharing successes and promises for hands-on, student-centered learning over the coming months.
The Center for Technology and School Change (CTSC) kicked off a summer institute series for over 125 educators taking part in the National Science Foundation-funded STILE grant (Systemic Transformation of Inquiry Learning Environments) this past July and August 2022.
Four multi-day virtual institutes were held with a cohort of 20 participating New York City schools across all boroughs. During these highly interactive sessions, educators developed a shared language around STEM and transdisciplinary concepts, and explored a process for designing projects contextualized to the realities of their schools. Teachers left the institute with anticipation for bringing STEM to life in their classrooms. As one teacher noted, this work will “open students to new and different learning experiences.”
CTSC’s STILE initiative represents a 10+ year effort to design and implement an effective approach to building STEM practices for teachers and school leaders. The shift to transdisciplinary learning requires a new pedagogical perspective, and reflection on the everyday structure of schooling. STILE educators will work alongside CTSC facilitators to design a STEM project over the course of the academic year.
CTSC looks forward to continuing the work with NYC educators and to sharing successes and promises for hands-on, student-centered learning over the coming months.
CTSC will be featured in the 2022 STEM for All Video Showcase: Access, Inclusion, and Equity, an annual event hosted by TERC and sponsored by the National Science Foundation to showcase federally-funded work for improving STEM education. Our work comes to life as part of this year’s feature, demonstrating the importance of supporting teachers in designing and implementing engaging transdisciplinary and inquiry-based approaches to instruction.
- Watch our video, depicting one of our partner schools’ experience with our effort - Systemic Transformation of Inquiry Learning Environments for STEM (STILE)
- Be part of the conversation! Watch and comment on all video submissions starting May 10th until May 17th here
- Vote for our video to be in the running for Presenters’ Choice and Public Choice awards
CTSC will be featured in the 2022 STEM for All Video Showcase: Access, Inclusion, and Equity, an annual event hosted by TERC and sponsored by the National Science Foundation to showcase federally-funded work for improving STEM education. Our work comes to life as part of this year’s feature, demonstrating the importance of supporting teachers in designing and implementing engaging transdisciplinary and inquiry-based approaches to instruction.
- Watch our video, depicting one of our partner schools’ experience with our effort - Systemic Transformation of Inquiry Learning Environments for STEM (STILE)
- Be part of the conversation! Watch and comment on all video submissions starting May 10th until May 17th here
- Vote for our video to be in the running for Presenters’ Choice and Public Choice awards
CTSC was awarded a third round of funding from the National Science Foundation in July 2020. The work builds on our model’s promise for shifting teacher practice in STEM. This latest iteration focuses on understanding and addressing the feasibility and utility of the CTSC approach to preparing teachers to use technology, with the goal of taking the Innovating Instruction work with teachers online. To read more about our award, visit our spotlight on the CADRE website, an organizing body for NSF Discovery Research K-12 research.
CTSC was awarded a third round of funding from the National Science Foundation in July 2020. The work builds on our model’s promise for shifting teacher practice in STEM. This latest iteration focuses on understanding and addressing the feasibility and utility of the CTSC approach to preparing teachers to use technology, with the goal of taking the Innovating Instruction work with teachers online. To read more about our award, visit our spotlight on the CADRE website, an organizing body for NSF Discovery Research K-12 research.
CTSC awarded national grant from the Paraguayan Ministry of Education to contribute to the development of a national education reform plan
CTSC is working with the Earth Institute at Columbia University, NCREST at Teachers College, and a team from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, to advise the Paraguayan Ministry of Education on new educational reform policies and practices. The grant work for CTSC is specifically focused on the two thematic domains of ICT (technology) and Professional Development. Working with the ministry, national education leaders, citizens and stakeholders from around the country, a new national plan will be created with the intention of transforming education through a collaborative and participatory reform process.
Business Insider named Dr. Meier’s course, Innovating Instruction: Learning Design in the STEM Classroom, as one of the ten most popular, woman-led STEM, coding or gaming courses available online. Dr. Meier first ran the course in Summer 2018 and has since iterated on it through Teachers College and the Center.
Business Insider named Dr. Meier’s course, Innovating Instruction: Learning Design in the STEM Classroom, as one of the ten most popular, woman-led STEM, coding or gaming courses available online. Dr. Meier first ran the course in Summer 2018 and has since iterated on it through Teachers College and the Center.
CTSC has collaborated with thousands of teachers, serving many more thousands of students since schools first went remote in March 2020. The work is focused on meaningful approaches to teaching online, blended, and in-person, with particular attention to designing experiences in service of what is known about how students learn best. Teachers College profiled the work of our team in June 2020 and is working on an update for the College’s 2020 Annual Report.
CTSC has collaborated with thousands of teachers, serving many more thousands of students since schools first went remote in March 2020. The work is focused on meaningful approaches to teaching online, blended, and in-person, with particular attention to designing experiences in service of what is known about how students learn best. Teachers College profiled the work of our team in June 2020 and is working on an update for the College’s 2020 Annual Report.
Yvonne is doing wonderful things both at the Center and through her own non-profit organization, STEM Kids NYC. It is no wonder she is one to watch. See her mention on the Hacker Noon top 200 list, or in this recent feature from Teachers College. Follow her on Twitter @experentiadocet
Yvonne is doing wonderful things both at the Center and through her own non-profit organization, STEM Kids NYC. It is no wonder she is one to watch. See her mention on the Hacker Noon top 200 list, or in this recent feature from Teachers College. Follow her on Twitter @experentiadocet
Educational Technology Specialist alumni and former CTSC facilitator, Robin Wilensky, earns 2021 Teacher of the Year recognition
Robin works as the Director of Educational Technology at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School where she also teaches classes in computer science and business. Her forward-thinking, creative approach garnered her a Teacher of the Year award from Best of Long Island. She is a shining example of the difference our Educational Technology Specialists graduates are making for students, particularly amid this trying time for education. To read more about Robin, visit her feature on Best of Long Island. More about the Educational Technology Specialist Certification program is available here (for initial K-12 certification) and here (for certified teachers).