Education in the Digital Age
A Project for Southeast Asia
April 23-26
Program Sponsor:
International Visitor Leadership Program, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs
United States Department of State
National Program Agency:
Meridian International Center
Mr. Phillip Ives; pives@meridian.org; 202-939-5885
Mr. Jacob Alter; jalter@meridian.org; 202-939-5507
Local Program Arranged by WorldBoston
Emily Canner; ecanner@worldboston.org; 410-952-0209
Maria Castillo; mcastillo@worldboston.org; 617-800-5400
Office: 617-542-8995
@WorldBoston
www.facebook.com/WorldBoston
MBT Worldwide Transportation Company
Dispatch, 978-851-1350
ELO’s/Interpreters:
Mr. Wladek Kopinski
E-mail: kopinski@usa.net
Phone: 202-460-0818
WorldBoston
212 Northern Avenue
East Building 1, Suite 300
Boston, MA 02111
Tel: 617.542.8995
Fax: 617.423.7918
www.worldboston.org
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Dear Visitors,
Welcome to Boston, Massachusetts!
On behalf of WorldBoston, it's truly a pleasure to welcome you to our city. Boston is one of the most
historic cities in the United States and continues to grow rich with culture, academic opportunities,
and technological innovation.
This itinerary contains all the information you need to complete your professional objectives,
including meeting times, locations, and transportation instructions. Your welcome packet includes
further information which may be useful for visitors to our city.
Please feel free to get in touch with me at any time if you have any questions. Emily’s cellphone
number is 410-952-0209 and Maria’s cellphone number is 617-800-5400
Before you leave, we hope you will give us some feedback on your Boston experience by completing
the evaluation form in your packet and mailing it to WorldBoston. We also invite you to connect
with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WorldBoston) and Twitter (@WorldBoston) to share
photos and stories of your experience here! In the meantime, enjoy your stay in Boston!
All our best,
Emily Canner and Maria Castillo
Program Coordinators
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Hotel Information
Your Hotel:
Boston Park Plaza Hotel
50 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
Tel: 617.426.2000
Confirmation Numbers for Easy Check-In:
Ms. Rosemarie Esera 632721
Mr. Bundhit Ninudomsak 632720
Mr. Minh Kim 632722
Ms. Huong Nguyen 632723
Mr. Wladek Kopinski 632719
The map below shows the immediate neighborhood of your hotel and the locations of several
nearby grocery stores and restaurants. There are many more nearby, so feel free to explore! The
nearest public transportation station is called Arlington Station, and is located approximately 2
blocks from your hotel.
NOTE: The Boston Park Plaza does NOT include breakfast. Wi-Fi is included in your rates &
password will be provided at check-in.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23RD
1:22pm
Arrival in Boston on US Airways Flight #3412
A bus from MBT Worldwide will pick you up at the airport and take you
to your hotel!
Phone: 978-851-1350, dispatch
Welcome to Boston! You will have an opportunity to explore the city of Boston and enjoy your free
time tonight. We have provided guides for sightseeing in your program folders and would be happy
to answer any questions you may have. There are many restaurants and eateries in the immediate
vicinity of your hotel as well as popular locations at walking distance or easily accessible by taxi or
public transportation.
For planning purposes, we invite you to check the forecast for your time in Boston. We do not
expect weather to be a major factor in your arrival or departure, but as New England weather is
especially unpredictable, we advise you to plan for the worst!
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THURSDAY, APRIL 24TH
*** Note: Your hotel does not provide breakfast. However, there is a restaurant serving
breakfast items in the lobby. You may also eat at a nearby establishment.***
8:45
Orientation
Please meet WorldBoston program associate, Ms. Emily Canner
in the hotel lobby for a brief orientation preceding your first meeting.
Contact: Emily Canner, 410-952-0209
9:00 am
A bus from MBT Worldwide will pick you up at your hotel and drive
you to your first meeting.
9:30am-10:30am
Burlington Public Schools
Mr. Patrick Larkin, Assistant Superintendent
Topic:
Mr. Larkin will discuss the 1:1 iPad Initiative in Burlington
Public Schools and will offer a tour of one of the district’s
public schools.
Location:
123 Cambridge Street
Burlington, MA
Contact:
Mr. Patrick Larkin, 559-245-2757
Mr. Patrick Larkin is the Assistant Superintendent for Learning in Burlington Public Schools.
Hehas received the NASSP National Digital Principal Award in 2012. He led the first 1:1 iPad high
school implementation in Massachusetts. The 1:1 iPad Initiative gives each student an iPad in
order to facilitate the students’ learning. He is passionate about school reform and technology
integration. He is also a senior associate for EdTech Teacher, an organization dedicated to help
teachers and schools leverage technology to create student-centered, inquiry based learning
environments.
http://www.patrickmlarkin.com/
10:30am
A bus from MBT Worldwide will pick you up and take you to your next
meeting.
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11:30am-12:30pm
Educational Technology & Media Programs, Boston University
Dr. David Whittier, Program Coordinator
Topic:
You will meet with Dr. Whittier to discuss his work and
research in the educational technology field.
Location:
Helen Murphy Room
2 Silber Way
Boston, MA
Contact:
Dr. David Whittier, 508-277-1296
Through a carefully blended curriculum of core coursework, elective coursework and field
experiences, students in the Educational Technology & Media (EMT) Program learn the history,
research and theory behind educational media and technology while gaining the practical skills
needed to work with new technology and advance professionally. Their focus on providing students
with a theoretical base and practical skills allows students to excel throughout their careers in this
ever-changing field. Courses are offered in classroom, online, and in hybrid and field settings to
teach students how to learn and teach in a variety of settings.
Dr. Whittier supervises the curriculum and the program in educational media and technology. His
teaching responsibilities include the history and philosophy of educational technology as a study
within the field of education, distance education research and design, cyberethics and policies for
technology use, dissertation advisement, designing educational multimedia, and supervising
instructional technology practicums. Dr. Whittier also supervises the educational technology
curriculum for all teacher preparation programs. Dr. Whittier’s current research interests include
the Teacher as Designer of Instructional Technology and Time Online/Pedagogy of the Web, that
focus on designing technology-based resources to most effectively support teaching and learning in
the classroom, online, and in hybrid learning environments. These projects focus on preparing
teachers to use technology effectively in support of teaching and learning, faculty development, and
various aspects of online teaching and learning.
12:30-1:15pm
Free time and Lunch
We’ve included a map with restaurants in the area. Please be aware that
you only have a short break for lunch.
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1:15pm
Please walk to your next appointment at 111 Cummington Street;
you will see directions on the map below.
1:30-2:30pm
Boston University
Office of Educational Technology Consulting
Dr. Domenic Screnci, Executive Director
Topic:
Mr. Screnci will talk about Boston University’s efforts to
implement educational technology in higher education.
Location:
Information Services and Technology Office
111 Cummington Street
Room 112
Boston, MA
Contact:
Dr. Domenic Screnci, 617-308-6171
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The Educational Technology team at Boston University works with faculty and academic staff to
enhance the use of all university-wide online educational platforms, including Blackboard,
WordPress, and Digication e-Portfolio. Domenic serves the University as an educational
technologist, instructional systems designer and integrator, instructional designer, and a producer
of curriculum materials for traditional and new media based educational projects. Domenic is
currently the co-director of Boston University’s online Master of Science Health Communications
Program. He teaches an instructional design course at the School of Public Health, and is also on the
faculty at the University of Massachusetts/Boston in their master’s level Instructional Design
Program, teaching a Visual Literacy and Information Design course.
2:30pm
Conclusion of your professional appointments for the day.
A bus from MBT Worldwide will pick you up and bring you back to your
hotel. Enjoy your evening in Boston!
OPTIONAL CULTURAL ACTIVITY
6:30-8:30pm
Event at Tufts Fletcher School
Hall of Flags (Main Entrance)
CITIZEN DIPLOMACY, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY & INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
How can “average” Americans make a real impact on foreign relations without leaving the U.S.? What
is “Citizen Diplomacy” and how does it relate to public diplomacy efforts undertaken by the U.S.
Department of State? When international visitors come to the U.S. for the first time as participants in
international exchange programs, what are their experiences and impressions of our government
and country?
As participants of the IVLP, you are invited to this event to network with other participants and learn
more about the goals of exchanges such as your own.
Note: Refreshments will be served
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FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH
*** Note: Your hotel does not provide breakfast. However, there is a restaurant serving
breakfast items in the lobby. You may also eat at a nearby establishment.***
9:20am
A bus from MBT Worldwide will pick you up at your hotel and drive
you to your first meeting.
10:00–11:00am
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Office of Digital Learning
Ms. Susan Hargrave, Coordinator
Topic:
Ms. Hargrave will discuss how educational technology is being
implemented in Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary
schools.
Location:
75 Pleasant St.
Malden, MA
Contact:
Ms. Susan Hargrave, (781) 338-4906
The Office of Digital Learning supports the expansion of digital learning capacity and literacy to
advance learning for every student in the Commonwealth. They provide policies, guidance,
professional development and support in the areas of district technology and infrastructure
capacity, classroom level instructional tools, assistive technology resources, virtual schools and
online courses and emerging digital learning trends. This meeting will look at state government
initiatives and technology programs focused on early education.
11:00am
A bus from MBT will pick you up and drive you to Harvard Square for
free time and lunch
You will have this time to explore Harvard Square. You will find a
detailed map of Harvard Square in your welcome packets.
Harvard Square is a large triangular area near the center of Cambridge, Massachusetts, United
States, at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, and John F. Kennedy Street. It is
the historic center of Cambridge. Adjacent to Harvard Yard, the historic heart of Harvard University,
the Square (as it is sometimes called locally) functions as a commercial center for Harvard students,
as well as residents of western Cambridge and the inner western and northern suburbs of Boston.
These residents use the Harvard station, a major MBTA Red Line subway and bus transportation
hub.
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1:45pm
Please walk to your next meeting at Wadsworth House; you will see the
location marked on the map below.
2:00-3:00pm
Harvard University EdX
Ms. Jackie O’Neill, University Marshal
Ms. Valerie Beilenson, Assistant Director
Topic:
This meeting will focus on the research and understanding of
emerging trends within educational technology.
Location:
Wadsworth House
1341 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA
Contact: Ms. Tara Benedict, 617-495-5724
EdX was created for students and institutions that seek to transform themselves through cuttingedge technologies, innovative pedagogy, and rigorous courses. Through their institutional partners,
the Xconsortium, along with other leading global members, EdX presents the best of higher
education online, offering opportunity to anyone who wants to achieve, thrive, and grow. They are
committed to research that will allow us to understand how students learn, how technology can
transform learning, and the ways teachers teach on campus and beyond.
3:00pm
Conclusion of your professional appointments for the day.
A bus from MBT Worldwide will pick you up and bring you back to your
hotel. Enjoy your evening in Boston!
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SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH
*** Note: Your hotel does not provide breakfast. However, there is a restaurant serving
breakfast items in the lobby. You may also eat at a nearby establishment.***
7:15am
A bus from MBT will pick you up and drive you to the airport
9:45am
Depart Boston, Massachusetts (BOS) via Delta Airlines Flight 1701
12:28pm
Arrive in Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
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This concludes your Boston program.
We wish you safe travels and hope to see you again!
We invite you to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WorldBoston) and
Twitter (@WorldBoston) to share photos and stories of your experience here!