Verizon Thinkfinity a Success at NECC!
Actor/director, Eric Close
Mountaineer, Erik Weihenmayer
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) hosted its annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in Washington, DC June 28 - July 1. Attended by more than 18,000 educators, NECC is the premier forum in which to learn, explore and survey the field of educational technology. Verizon's President and Chief Operating Officer, Denny Strigl opened a celebrity-filled session by first thanking ISTE for leading the way in recognizing what a profound impact technology would have on how teachers teach and how students learn. "That is why the Verizon Foundation has partnered with the top educational organizations in each of the academic subjects and literacy to bring you the extraordinary free resources of Verizon Thinkfinity.org. We believe we have a responsibility to support you as educators and enable you to inspire your students to achieve. We not only want you to succeed, we need you to succeed and send us the next generations of innovators...for our workforce, for our economy and for our future as a nation," Strigl said.
Watch Mr. Strigl's opening remarks
Weihenmayer, a former teacher, and Close showed how pairing the principles of adventure sports with practical tools such as Verizon's Thinkfinity.org, can help teachers move beyond the textbook when teaching.
Weihenmayer put that concept into action by inviting Close and several members of the audience to take part in a rope team exercise to demonstrate the importance of teamwork on the mountain and in the classroom.
Watch the rope team exercise
More videos of the event
View a slideshow of the event
Lessons and interactive games on exploration, Everest and adventure
See an exclusive video webcast of the event!
Opening Remarks
Dr. Trina Davis, Assistant Professor and Director of eEducation, Texas A&M University
Patrick Gaston, President, Verizon Foundation
Denny Strigl, President & COO, Verizon Communications
Inspiring the Inner Explorer
Eric Close, Actor/Director & Thinkfinity Champion
From the Classroom to the Top of Everest
Erik Weihenmayer, Author, Adventurer & Motivational Speaker
Watch the rope team exercise
Eric Close & audience volunteers
Verizon Thinkfinity
Christen Dodd, Thinkfinity Distance Learning Coordinator
Closing Remarks
Patrick Gaston, President Verizon Foundation