Harrisburg High School has role in state tech fest

A Harrisburg teacher and two students will present a program on how technology can aid genealogical research, at a statewide tech conference to be held in Springfield in May.

Teacher Krystal Wilson and students Nolan Davidson and Gillian Jones are part of the Students for the Information Age TECH 2018 event, to be held May 10 at the Illinois State Capitol. Hundreds of students and teachers will represent schools from throughout the state.

At the event, students will show legislators and the general public how technology is being used in the classroom to increase student engagement and improve achievement. From elementary to the high school classrooms, TECH 2018 highlights the crucial role that technology plays in education - from increases in collaboration and critical thinking, to promoting learning beyond the limits of the school day - by creating a space for students to share their learning and innovative uses of devices, the internet, and digital curriculum.

Wilson, Davidson and Jones will present, "Finding Your Roots: Using technology in the classroom to teach genealogy research skills."

In the presentation, the students will show they are using Chromebooks and free internet programs and websites to learn more about their own family history, while simultaneously learning essential technological, research and reading skills that will become fundamental parts of their secondary education.

The purpose of TECH 2018 is to raise awareness of the critical role technology plays in preparing students to succeed in today's world, and to show the need for increased funding for classroom technology. Students will demonstrate for lawmakers and the public the creative ways technology is being used to enhance and accelerate student achievement in Illinois schools today.

TECH 2018 is a nonprofit initiative presented by Illinois Computing Educators, and is supported by a broad range of education and business organizations, including CDW-G and Comcast Business.