The International Schools Podcast
Education
We take an opportunity to connect with a Swiss Roundtable of international school technology leaders sharing their perspectives, learnings and experiences working in Swiss international schools—both boarding and non boarding—and what it is like living in Switzerland as an international educator.
About Wolfgang Soeldner
Wolfgang is an experienced educational technology professional with over 20 years of experience in managing, developing, and integrating technology systems in schools. He has served in various leadership roles in international schools, including ICT Campus Partner, Head of Global Education, Secondary Technology & Learning Coordinator, Head of Learning Resources & Technology Coach, and Whole Campus Technology Coordinator. Wolfgang has developed and executed distance learning programs, implemented one-to-one iPad programs, and led the integration of educational technology across various schools. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is certified as an Apple Distinguished Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator + Trainer, and Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2. Wolfgang is proud to be serving as a Board Member of the Technology Readiness Council (TRC).
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wsoeldner/
About Gus Alcalá
Gus Alcala is the IT Manager and Educational Technology Lead at International School Rheintal.
Gus possesses a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, a Master's in Communication and Technology and a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering. He has over 10+ years combined experience in network administration, information security and data protection in international schools.
Gus is also a certified teacher deeply involved in design and computer science.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-alcalá/
About Darren Wise
Darren Wise is Director of IT at Aiglon College. Aiglon College is described as one of the world's most distinctive boarding schools and a leader in character education. Darren leads a team of teachers and technicians focussed on providing reliable technology in the classroom and across the wider college, and occasionally we innovate.
Prior to working in Switzerland, Darren also spent 12 years working in a similar role at Harrow International School, Bangkok.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-wise-698b0b141/
About Tim Venchus
Tim Venchus is the Technology Development Director for The American School in Switzerland, an international PK-12 institution located in Ticino, Switzerland. His primary roles are to support the TASIS community in their use of technology and strategize with colleagues to make the most of technology tools, present and future.
Tim holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a Masters in Teaching for 6-12 Mathematics. Prior to working at TASIS, he worked as a District Technology Specialist for a K-8 school district in the suburbs of Chicago, IL.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tvenchus
About Chris Vincent
Chris Vincent is the Director of Technology at The International School of Zug and Luzern (ISZL). This involves leading committed and inspiring digital learning coaches, an IT team and Librarians as well as being part of the school’s senior leadership team.
Chris has enjoyed a career in education that has spanned some 35+ years. Chris began his teaching career in state schools in some of Tasmania, Australia’s most remote and beautiful areas before embarking on an international career in education and leadership that has spanned some 30+ years and four different countries and schools.
Prior to joining ISZL in 2011, Chris and his wife, lived and worked in Singapore, The Netherlands and Vietnam. Their eldest son was amongst the final graduating class of Chris' principalship at UNIS Hanoi and their other two sons are graduates from ISZL. All three have completed tertiary studies in Australia despite having been born and raised outside of Australia.
On a personal level, Chris loves a pot of tea, being active outdoors, escaping through a good book and time spent with his family and close friends.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-vincent-1222b540/
Resources
Websites
TRC Tech Director Forum: https://talk.techdirector.org/
Technology Readiness Council: https://technologyreadiness.org/
TRC Membership Info: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nVrFaTrwWVT-XjD3mPGMOg9mFXDNL8g2/view
IAPP: https://iapp.org
https://skillshop.exceedlms.com/student/page/995423-certifications?navlink=true
Diffit -- relevel or translate texts, generate comprehension questions, and then export to Google Slides or PDF activities. Super cool!
High School Campus Library: AI: https://iszl.libguides.com/c.php?g=694832&p=5159582
Articles
Reimagining Education in the Digital Age: https://www.aiglon.ch/community/news/news/~board/public-news/post/how-aiglon-is-reimagining-education-in-the-digital-age
Books
The AI Classroom | The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education: https://teachergoals.com/books/educational-technology/the-ai-classroom/?v=a25496ebf095
Dilla Time: https://dillati.me/
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61714633
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsevents.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
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110 - Admission and transition with Heidi Reid, Vasco Dimitroff, and Matt Craig
109 - A conversation with four international school librarians from around the globe
108 - A conversation with LeeAnne Lavender
107 - A conversation with IT Directors Christina Devitt and Charlotte Diller
106 - Carlos Davidovich Executive Coach Neuromanagement Expert - Speaker - Author - International TEDx Speaker
105 - Small International Schools - Jeremy Majeski, Jimena Zalba, and Michael Hibbeln
104 - Valérie Besanceney and Jane Barron
103 - A conversation with John Miller, Chief Empowerment Officer Agile Classrooms
102 - A conversation with Angela Newton and Peter Gravell Co-Founders of RealFastReports
101 - Leveraging and understanding the power of Data with Chris Smith
100 - 100th episode conversation with Dan and John
99 - Conversation with Brett Gray, Director The Ostrava International School
98 - A conversation with Stefan Pasternak and Matthew Welling, educators, international school teachers, and musicians and producers
97 - Special topic Podcast Cyber Security with Dan and John
96 - A conversation with Safa Ghnaim Associate Program Director and Louise Hisayasu Senior Project Coordinator from Tactical Tech
95 - A conversation with Jamie McKenzie Publisher, FNO Press, writer, speaker
94 - A conversation with Jeff Utech (Big Dreamer & Founder) shiftingschools.com
93 - A conversation with Pete Kennedy Senior Associate at Search Associates
92 - A conversation with Dr. Helen Kelly Author, researcher, speaker, consultant
91 - Conversation on education technology integration with Aisha, Dania, Cora and Kim
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