Heidi Rogers: Technology & community

On the wall, behind a glass frame in Heidi Rogers' office, is a front page article from USA Today dated June 2000. It is about the need for technology in the classroom, even for elementary students.

Nearly 11 years later, how are we doing?

Pretty well, Rogers says.

"With the advancement of technology, I believe we can do better in our schools, but it's going take a commitment from us as citizens, as policy makers, as educational leaders, to get it done," she said. "I know the teachers and the students can get the job done, but we have to support teaching and learning through policy, funding, resources, professional development." Rogers is executive director of the Northwest Council for Computer Education, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting effective uses of technology in education, and she leads the largest conference for educational technology in the Pacific Northwest, which includes one set for March 1-4 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

Rogers is also on staff at the University of Idaho-Coeur d'Alene, where she specializes in the development and direction of non-traditional outreach activities, such as workshops, conferences and other educational events.

When you get a chance to talk to Heidi Rogers you'll find out very quickly a few things she's passionate about. One is technology education. Another is community involvement. Naturally, she tosses herself into both with all she's got.

Raised in Oklahoma on a horse and cattle ranch in a small town called Guymon, Rogers joined the rodeo circuit, was once a rodeo queen and the proud owner of a grand champion quarter horse.

"My grandfather and my mother, all summer long would haul me and four horses around to five different states and I would rodeo and show horses," she said. "I learned a lot of lessons that way."

Her father was a doctor. Heidi and her brother and sister worked on the ranch.

"We were charged with helping, from branding cattle to feeding to working right along with the hired hands to shoveling -," she said, laughing.

Today, the cancer survivor combines that work ethic learned young with a quest to bring the latest technology into classrooms.

On her desk, rests her laptop. On the table in the center of the office is her iPad.

"This is a great device," Rogers said.

Technology, though, is not the answer to life's challenges.

That might be better found in volunteer efforts.

Rogers was honored as a Women of Distinction by the Coeur d'Alene Soroptimist Organization in 2009.

She is a member of the Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club, the Coeur d'Alene, Chamber Leadership Committee and Idaho Community Foundation Panhandle Leadership Advisory Board. She also recently joined the Coeur d'Alene Library Foundation Board. She has served as president of four nonprofit organizations, including the EXCEL Foundation supporting the Coeur d'Alene School District.

So, why does she bother? Isn't she already busy enough with her work and a private life that includes 19-year-old son Weston?

"I think part of it is, I was raised to be civic minded, but I think Coeur d'Alene is a very, very special place," Rogers said. "When someone is working on one community endeavor and they can switch to another, and you'll see the same people. You'll see people support each and every other organization. To me, that's a huge blessing in this community. People are very generous with their time and resources in this town, as well as their energy."

How are we doing in Idaho when it comes to integrating technology with education?

I believe we can always do a better job. The children of today have grown up in a digital world. We never question if a banker, physician, an attorney or Realtor needs a computer or any type of technology device. And for our kids and for our students, it's a way to engage them, a way to empower them, enrich their educational experience. In order to do that, the schools must have technology support, professional development, a robust infrastructure and technical support.

Is there anything specific we could be doing better?

We need more resources right now. We need more resources and more ability to integrate technology. The students need the tools, our teachers need the professional development and the infrastructure to support teaching and learning in the classroom with technology.

Are today's kids smarter than decades ago with all the technology at their disposal?

I don't think they're smarter. We all have the opportunity with today's technology to access a great deal of information, and very quickly. You can be sitting there watching TV and somebody might bring up a comment and you can say, 'Let me check that, let me verify that,' and instantly we Bing it or Google it.

Has it become too easy to access information?

We might have more information, but we have to use our critical thinking skills to really pencil down the information that we want.

Are we spending enough money on technology in education?

The money for education changes over the course of time. When there was a lot of educational money, I led a team of about five people and over the course of time, we wrote about $10 million worth of grants. The team did. I played sports in high school. I believe in a real team kind of concept.

Are you surprised by the developments we're seeing in terms of technology in the classroom?

I'm excited and passionate about what's out there. I remember over at the University of Idaho's first classroom ever on the NIC campus, I remember plugging in and getting a direct Internet connection. It's unbelievable where we've come.

I remember when I first started in this business, it used to be hard. The technology never worked right. It's almost getting to where we can use the technology as easy as our phone. But now our phone is so much more powerful.

How important is it that students are up to speed on the latest technology with video, sound, graphics and such?

Any employer wants their employees to be technology literate and be able to think critically.

How early should we introduce kids to technology?

There are tools that may not be expensive that can be used at a very young age. I believe we really need to focus, especially in the early years. The sound and the graphics can enhance one's education.

When did technology become an important part of your education?

I did not fall into educational technology until I was a grad student at Oklahoma State University, and that was by luck and chance, by meeting the right person. I'm influenced by people and mentors. I had a biology degree from Oklahoma State, I about went to medical school. I met a professor and he said 'You should take my technology class.'

Did growing up on a cattle ranch create a strong work ethic in you?

I believe in a strong work ethic. Some would say I'm a workaholic. That's one thing my father did teach me, to be passionate about your love for your job.

Do you have any advice for parents at home trying to keep up with technology? Is it a matter of buying an iPad or maybe an iPhone?

I don't think it's just buying stuff. I think it's being engaged. Technology isn't going to make the sole difference in anyone's life in education or anyone's job performance. But it will enhance, engage and enrich a student's education experience, especially if you have a teacher who has support from the district.

Are kids smarter than their parents these days when it comes to things like programming the DVR?

I think that's a misnomer. I'm friends with my mother's friends on Facebook. So I think if you want to become engaged in technology, it's not that hard.

Are you optimistic that technology will play a key role in education here?

I have all faith in the Coeur d'Alene community when it comes to providing for our community, especially in education. I have all the faith in the world. From what this community has done, from the Kroc Center to the EXCEL Foundation.

How big of a Vandal fan are you?

Right under Oklahoma State.

Date of birth: March 7, 1962

Education: Doctorate of Education degree in curriculum and instruction from Oklahoma State University with an emphasis in information communication and educational technology. Master of Science degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in secondary education.

Family: Proud mother of a 19-year-old son, Weston Rogers

Number of hours on average you work in a week: 50

Number of hours on average you sleep in a night: 6-7

Hobbies: Golf, travel, cooking, rafting, laundry.

Favorite movie: "Oklahoma"

Favorite type of music: Any country western singer from Oklahoma.

Favorite spectator sport: Football

Favorite book: "A Guymon," "Oklahoma Presbyterian Cookbook."

Best advice you ever received: To be generous with all your resources this includes your energy, your time and your checkbook.

Any one person who most influenced your life: My grandfather and Jack Dawson.

Quality you admire most in a person: Generosity

Any one thing you consider your greatest accomplishment: All the community activities I've been involved in are very rewarding. Coeur d'Alene is a special place. I think we all need to give back to this wonderful community we are part of.