123 - BONUS EPISODE: Swiss Tech Directors Round Table

The International Schools Podcast

We take an opportunity to connect with a Swiss Roundtable of international school technology leaders sharing their perspectives, learnings and experiences working in Swiss international schools—both boarding and non boarding—and what it is like living in Switzerland as an international educator.
About Wolfgang Soeldner
Wolfgang is an experienced educational technology professional with over 20 years of experience in managing, developing, and integrating technology systems in schools. He has served in various leadership roles in international schools, including ICT Campus Partner, Head of Global Education, Secondary Technology & Learning Coordinator, Head of Learning Resources & Technology Coach, and Whole Campus Technology Coordinator. Wolfgang has developed and executed distance learning programs, implemented one-to-one iPad programs, and led the integration of educational technology across various schools. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is certified as an Apple Distinguished Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator + Trainer, and Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2. Wolfgang is proud to be serving as a Board Member of the Technology Readiness Council (TRC).
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wsoeldner/
About Gus Alcalá
Gus Alcala is the IT Manager and Educational Technology Lead at International School Rheintal.
Gus possesses a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, a Master's in Communication and Technology and a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering. He has over 10+ years combined experience in network administration, information security and data protection in international schools.
Gus is also a certified teacher deeply involved in design and computer science.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-alcalá/
About Darren Wise
Darren Wise is Director of IT at Aiglon College. Aiglon College is described as one of the world's most distinctive boarding schools and a leader in character education. Darren leads a team of teachers and technicians focussed on providing reliable technology in the classroom and across the wider college, and occasionally we innovate.
Prior to working in Switzerland, Darren also spent 12 years working in a similar role at Harrow International School, Bangkok.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-wise-698b0b141/
About Tim Venchus
Tim Venchus is the Technology Development Director for The American School in Switzerland, an international PK-12 institution located in Ticino, Switzerland. His primary roles are to support the TASIS community in their use of technology and strategize with colleagues to make the most of technology tools, present and future.
Tim holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a Masters in Teaching for 6-12 Mathematics. Prior to working at TASIS, he worked as a District Technology Specialist for a K-8 school district in the suburbs of Chicago, IL.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tvenchus
About Chris Vincent
Chris Vincent is the Director of Technology at The International School of Zug and Luzern (ISZL). This involves leading committed and inspiring digital learning coaches, an IT team and Librarians as well as being part of the school’s senior leadership team.
Chris has enjoyed a career in education that has spanned some 35+ years. Chris began his teaching career in state schools in some of Tasmania, Australia’s most remote and beautiful areas before embarking on an international career in education and leadership that has spanned some 30+ years and four different countries and schools.
Prior to joining ISZL in 2011, Chris and his wife, lived and worked in Singapore, The Netherlands and Vietnam. Their eldest son was amongst the final graduating class of Chris' principalship at UNIS Hanoi and their other two sons are graduates from ISZL. All three have completed tertiary studies in Australia despite having been born and raised outside of Australia.
On a personal level, Chris loves a pot of tea, being active outdoors, escaping through a good book and time spent with his family and close friends.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-vincent-1222b540/
Resources
Websites

TRC Tech Director Forum: https://talk.techdirector.org/

Technology Readiness Council: https://technologyreadiness.org/

TRC Membership Info: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nVrFaTrwWVT-XjD3mPGMOg9mFXDNL8g2/view

IAPP: https://iapp.org

https://skillshop.exceedlms.com/student/page/995423-certifications?navlink=true

Diffit -- relevel or translate texts, generate comprehension questions, and then export to Google Slides or PDF activities. Super cool!

High School Campus Library: AI: https://iszl.libguides.com/c.php?g=694832&p=5159582

Articles

Reimagining Education in the Digital Age: https://www.aiglon.ch/community/news/news/~board/public-news/post/how-aiglon-is-reimagining-education-in-the-digital-age

Books

The AI Classroom | The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education: https://teachergoals.com/books/educational-technology/the-ai-classroom/?v=a25496ebf095

Dilla Time: https://dillati.me/

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61714633
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsevents.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
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