RUMFORD — Technology is an integral part of teaching all classes from kindergarten to college. But it is difficult to keep up on all the latest hardware, software and apps. That’s where the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine, comes in. Its mission is “to enhance and influence education in Maine though the use of technology.” In keeping with its mission, ACTEM provides opportunities for educators to meet and share ideas.

Mountain Valley High School technology teacher Jeff Bailey recently presented four sessions at the annual Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine Maine Education Conference.

Bailey, a member of the association, teaches architectural design with a program called Google SketchUp. At the conference he shared his experience in the classroom, including where to find lessons and resources.

Bailey said, “Google SketchUp is a dynamic 3D building tool with great applications for many subject areas and grade levels.”

Another session was about understanding copyright and fair use. He demonstrated resources available to classroom teachers in guiding their own use of copyrighted works and on how to teach students about copyright for their own creations.

“Teaching digital ethics to the download piracy generation may not be as hard as you think,” Bailey said to his audience. “While using digital media in the classroom, it’s important to protect the rights of the ‘digital natives’ who are producing their own original work.”

Bailey partnered with Mt. Blue High School English teacher Dan Ryder on two sessions. In the first session, they presented “More Customized Learning on the Cheap.” The session introduced cheap and easy technology to help design, manage and assess student learning.

Finally, after a day of discussing technology, it was time for some laughs. In addition to teaching, Bailey and Ryder are members of Teachers’ Lounge Mafia, an improv group. Their final session was “Ridiculous Integration: Improv Comedy and Technology.”

According to Ryder, “Improv comedy and tech integration share a lot more in common than one might think. The participants learned how to use improvisation to enhance learning, how to use technology to enhance that experience and how the underlying principles of improv can lead to more success in any environment.”

In addition to presenting, Bailey attended a keynote address by Kevin Honeycutt. To see Honeycutt’s keynote on “Inspirational Teachers Change Minds & Lives,” log on to http://vimeo.com/77054445.

In summarizing the conference, Bailey said, “ACTEM is a great place for educators to share and highlight the work they do in their schools. I have gone almost every year since I began teaching and it seems to get better each time. I would encourage any educator, regardless of their skill with technology to attend because what you really learn is that it’s not about the tool, it’s about the teaching.”