The discussion around technology in relation to education is everywhere. A quick survey of Twitter reveals several conversations spanning the globe, all centered on how technology can empower both students and teachers.

As we live in an age where technology changes rapidly, new products are launched in the marketplace at a dizzying pace. Trying to keep up with it all is no easy task, if there isn’t appropriate training and technological support in place.

The grand opening of EdTech Services on February 1st, 2012 showcased that the Faculty of Education is committed to being innovative in the way it supports both staff and students with regards to technology.

Jose da Costa, vice-dean and associate dean academic explains, “we have an ethical responsibility to ensure that our students are prepared to best address the needs of their own students when they go to the field, first to student teach and then as certificated teachers. EdTech Services is in a perfect position to support teaching staff to incorporate technology tools which enhance learners' experiences without having to take away instructional time, needed to address the key concepts in the courses they teach, to focus on the tools themselves.”

The staff in EdTech Services is highly motivated to provide the support and expertise necessary to take both staff and students in the faculty to the next level. “Teaching and learning with every interaction. This is a tagline we are using simply because of the changing nature of the work we are doing. Each person on our team is finding they are learning something every day. We also want to model teaching and learning with our interactions with students, faculty and staff. Because we have combined IT Operations with Training and Development we are unique in that we can model pedagogy and fix the technical stuff. We are a one stop shop in a sense that we can fix your device and show you how to use it more effectively”, says Janet Welch, assistant dean, information technology and computing.

Fern Snart, dean, would like EdTech Services to become a hub of technology related activity. She remarks, “my hope for students, and faculty and staff as well, is that Ed Tech Services will become the "go to place" for assistance in all matters related to integrating digital media and technology into their teaching and learning. Not only a place for people to receive positive and gentle input at their entry skill level - my dream is that it will become a place wherein we really push the boundaries of possibility such that our students create, expand and extend the tools and ideas that are current - and take us to new and transformational places.”