2018 VSTE Annual Conference

Coding or computer programming is getting a lot of attention these days. Is an Hour of Code enough? Should every student learn to code or is it a specialized skill? Join Jeff Mao for a conversation that explores this question. Jeff will share perspectives from Seymour Papert to Steve Jobs, and provides his take on why coding is an essential literacy for the modern world.

Jeff Mao is an internationally known education technology leader. Jeff served as the Learning Technology Policy Director for the Maine Department of Education (2004-2014). In that role, he provided leadership and education technology policy support to four Commissioners of Education. He was directly responsible for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). He oversaw all aspects of the program including vision, implementation, policy, professional development, procurement and contract management. He was a lead author of the State of Utah’s Master Plan: Essential Elements for Technology Powered Learning. Additionally, he is an advisor for Future Ready Schools and has moderated and presented at almost all of Future Ready’s Summits and Institutes. Jeff was a Senior Director for Common Sense Media’s education division (2014-2017). He is currently a Senior Strategic Education Outreach Manager for Wonder Workshop and independent education technology consultant.

Jeff has keynoted international events sponsored by UNESCO, World Bank, InterAmerica-Development Bank, and the Korean Education and Research Information Service. In the United States, he has keynoted state conferences including NYSCATE (New York) and VITA-Learn (Vermont), and presented at events including ISTE, CoSN, SETDA, FETC, SXSWEdu, TASA, TCEA, and CETPA. He served on the Board of Directors of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) for six years including two as Chair of the Board.

He has been recognized by EdScoop (EdTech Hero, 2017) SETDA (Leader of the Year, 2013), and Common Sense Media (Educator of the Year, 2012).