Biographies

Jim Gates,
Ed Tech Consultant & PDE Mentor
21st Century Teaching and Learning

James began teaching computers in 1983 at the high school level after having taught music for nearly eight years. He has taught many different programming languages throughout his teaching career, his favorite being C++. He has also taught courses in Personal Computing and Hypermedia using Hypercard. In the early ‘90’s Jim began teaching a course about the Internet. At that time he founded a Macintosh User Group for teachers called CAMELOT and served as its President for six years.

In 1999 Jim moved to the middle school environment where he worked with the Social Studies and Science teachers to integrate computers into their curriculum. Jim started his "Computer Tips" in 1993 and they were shared daily with teachers and administrators in several school districts. When Jim moved to the Intermediate Unit as their Instructional Technology Trainer, he created his blog called, "Tipline - Gates Computer Tips" and was able to share ideas and new technologies with a much larger audience.

Jim has won both a National Gold and National Bronze Award for a column he wrote for Child Guide Magazine. His blog won the 2007 Edublogs Award for the Best Resources Sharing Blog. He served as President of the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo & Conference (PETE&C) Committee for 2007-2008. Jim was recently presented with the 2009 Pioneer Award from the PA Association for Educational Communications and Technology (PAECT) in recognition of his lifetime leadership role in instructional technology.

Jim has a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology from Bloomsburg University. He currently serves as a Mentor with the PA Department of Education in the Classrooms for the Future program which assists teachers to develop 21st Century skills and integrate technology throughout their curriculum. Jim held the position of Instructional Technology Trainer for eight years with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit. In November 2008, Jim started his own consulting company called "Gates Ideas" where his goals and objectives are to promote best practices of technology integration in the classroom.

Jim is also an adjunct faculty member with Harrisburg University. He lives in Lemoyne, PA with his wife, Kathy.

More information can be found at Jim’s website, http://GatesIdeas.com.


jgates@HarrisburgU.edu