I am an educator passionate about instructional technology. In 2008, I halted my career as a marketing director to become a classroom teacher because I discovered technology was infiltrating academia. I recognized the impact it will have on future generations by either equalizing opportunities or further stratifying the Haves from the Have Nots. Technology has become not just another skillset to learn but is the new social currency.
“Technology is the new currency.”
– Sally Chuang
When I met Melinda Gates at a teacher’s conference in Chicago in 2009, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was fielding schools and educational institutions worthy of supporting with their grant money. At the time, the Gates Foundation was especially interested in programs developing open-source literacy courses that align to the Common Core State Standards and prepared to fork out over $2 Million in support. As part of a handful of lucky recipients invited to a private round table discussion with Melinda, I presented my highly innovative, engaging, technology-rich (i.e. gaming and simulation) Mandarin Program that I was building.
Eventually, I became a school administer and earned my credential with an action research on “Implementing Effective Project-based Learning Via Technology Apps” and my passion for educational technology isn’t slowing down anytime soon. To this day, I identify project-based, experiential learning applied to and facilitated by technology as the foundation of my work in instructional design and the field of education at large.
Sally Chuang 