3rd Learning

Donald Jacobs has worked in education for the past 31 years and is passionate about designing and developing alternative educational delivery systems to serve K-12 students.

Dr. Jacobs was the founder of the award-winning Center for Applied Technologies in Education at the University at Buffalo where his team designed and implemented numerous educational technology projects for K-12 schools across the world. Dr. Jacobs' work includes projects and planning initiatives with educational organizations and ministries of education in Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Tanzania, Poland, Oman and with numerous other schools across the world. For the past 12 years, Dr. Jacobs has collaborated with primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, in the design and development of environmental and education initiatives in various countries in Europe, Africa, and Central America.

Dr. Jacobs was the founder of the award-winning Center for Applied Technologies in Education at the University at Buffalo where his team designed and implemented numerous educational technology projects for K-12 schools across the world. Dr. Jacobs' work includes projects and planning initiatives with educational organizations and ministries of education in Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Tanzania, Poland, Oman and with numerous other schools across the world. For the past 12 years, Dr. Jacobs has collaborated with primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, in the design and development of environmental and education initiatives in various countries in Europe, Africa, and Central America.

Education

• Ph.D., Educational Organization, Administration and Policy, University at Buffalo
• Masters Degree, Instructional Systems Design, University at Buffalo
• Bachelors Degree, Education, SUNY College at Buffalo
• Arts, language and history coursework, University of Siena, Italy

Affiliations

Current Boards:

• The Park School of Buffalo
• Performance Learning Systems

Previous boards:

• Member of Board of Directors (Executive Board) Jane Goodall Institute, USA
• Member of Board of Directors, Jane Goodall Institute Global Advisory
• Member of Board of Directors, Teachers Without Borders
• Member of Board of Directors, Computers for Children
• Member of Board of Directors, Roger Tory Peterson Institute

Professional Highlights

• University at Buffalo Innovator Award, 2006
• University at Buffalo Innovator Award, 2007
• University at Buffalo Entrepreneurial Award, 2007
• Top 100 Researchers at the University at Buffalo, 2006
• Appointed Co-Chair of New York State Technology Policy and Practices Council, 2004-2008 by New York State Board of Regents
• Beta Award from InfoTech Niagara for Best Technologies in Education, 2002
• National Golden Ring for best educational DVD, 2002
• Friend of Educational Opportunity Center Award, 2000
• School building dedication by Costa Rica–USA Foundation for distance learning work in Costa Rica, 2000
• Honored by Vice President Al Gore at the conference, Connecting All Americans for the 21st Century, 1998
• Designed and built first video conference-based distance learning network in Central America (Costa Rica) 1997
• Educational consultant to education organizations in Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ivory Coast, Panama, Mexico, Honduras, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Oman, Russia, Croatia, Turkey, Oman, and Tanzania.

Michael Horning, Jr., co-founder and president of 3rd Learning, has worked for over fifteen years as an educator at many academic levels and settings. Horning has served as a middle school social studies teacher, museum educator, instructional technology specialist and adjunct professor, leading multiple practical experiences in utilizing technologies in the classroom with various instructional approaches.

These experiences led Michael to the award-winning Center for Applied Technologies in Education at the SUNY University at Buffalo. Within the largest public research institution in the State of New York, Horning’s activities at the Center focused on the research and development of "standards-based systems" of which, NYLearns.org was the primary project. As Associate Director of the Center and, with the support of the University, Horning co-founded 3rd Learning, to expand the group's work. Along with the executive team, Horning has spearheaded 3rd Learning's other primary international projects including the development of an online International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum management system for international IB schools as well as eKampus, a standards-based system and online professional learning community for 100,000 educators across the country of Turkey.

3rd Learning's defining work is the continual development of Pennsylvania Department of Education's Standards Aligned System, one of the leading educational portals developed at the state-level within the United States.

Education

• M.Ed., State University of New York College at Buffalo
• B.S., Secondary Social Studies Education with certifications in teaching and coaching, State University of New York College at Buffalo

Affiliations

• Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE)
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
• New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS)
• New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE)

Professional Highlights

• “The World is Flat and the role of Educational Technologies.” Co-presented with Dr. Donald Jacobs. TRI-Association Conference (The Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia, Caribbean, and Mexico), San Jose, Costa Rica, October 12, 2005.
• “Digital Content and Student Achievement: Researched-Based Exemplars.” Accepted invitation to moderate a panel discussion between professional from the Library of Congress and Maryland Public Television. Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), Washington, DC, March 6, 2006.
• “Current Web-based Technologies for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.” International Institute of Buffalo in conjunction with the US State Department Office of International Visitors, October 12, 2006.
• “Making Standards Accessible through Technology for Effective Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century Classrooms.” Co-present with Dr. Don Jacobs and Mr. Jack Delman, Headmaster, Carol Morgan School, Dominican Republic. Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE), San Francisco, CA, February 24, 2007.
• “NYLearns.org – An Innovative Model of an Online Standards-based System” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Washington, DC, March 6, 2007. California State Education Department, October 24, 2007.
• “Using Technologies for College Readiness.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Annual Conference, Seattle Washington, July 18, 2007.
• “IBLearns: A Vision for an IB Curriculum Management System” Middle East International Baccalaureate Association (MEIBA) Conference, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 6, 2009. International Baccalaureate Organization, International Headquarters, Singapore, May 20, 2011.
• “Teaching and Learning with Technology.” International Society for Technology in Education Annual Conference. Co-presented with Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, Deputy Secretary and Dr. Ed Vollbrecht, Director for the Bureau of Teaching and Learning, Pennsylvania Department of Education. June 27, 2011.
• “Standards Aligned System Model District Project (SASMD)” Working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Dr. Grant Wiggins on the design, development, and implementation of the SASMD project creating new models for leadership and reform in public education. March 2011 – Present.

Robert Daunce is a co-founder of 3rdLearning and serves as the Chief Operating Officer. Managing day-to-day operations of 3rdLearning, he also participates in all aspects of corporate strategy and decision-making. In addition to his executive role, Daunce brings 15 years of technology and development experience to 3rdLearning. He is actively involved in the development process of all of 3rdLearning projects.

Prior to co-founding 3rd Learning, Daunce worked at the University at Buffalo in the Center for Applied Technologies in Education. While at the University at Buffalo, he managed all aspects of the department's technology needs. Daunce was also an instructor for the regional Cisco Network Academy, instructing networking technology to teachers in the western New York region.

Education

• MBA, University at Buffalo
• BA, Computer Science, Fredonia State University

Sarah Glenn-Smith joined 3rd Learning in early 2010, tasked with providing project and program oversight, infrastructure expansion and the development of new business opportunities for our rapidly growing organization.

With more than ten years of executive management experience, she brings extensive experience in conceiving, planning, developing and executing strategic and tactical finance initiatives that drive top-line performance and bottom-line results.

In her previous role as Chief Administrative Officer at The Exigence Group, a large healthcare management organization, she maintained full operational corporate oversight for all company divisions, including Emergency Departments, Hospitalist Programs, Urgent Care Clinics, Occupational Medicine Program and the Wellness Division. She also successfully implemented all company new development, including new contracts for service, talent acquisition, start-up entities, acquisitions and joint ventures.

Ms. Glenn-Smith also served as the Executive Director of Deaf Adult Services, gaining significant insight and experience in business management, community education, organizational development and administrative personnel function as it relates to performance. She increased the annual revenue by four times and grew the staff by more than fifty percent during her six-year tenure.

Education

• Executive MBA, University at Buffalo
• BA, California State University
• Nationally certified sign language interpreter

JR Hoyer is responsible for guiding the technical activities of the organization so that it can meet the evolving educational technology needs of our clients and partners. Hoyer brings over twenty-five years of experience leading software technology organizations in a variety of industries. During this time, he has lived and worked in several countries, managing software development efforts in a number of organizations.

Hoyer started his career at AT&T Bell Laboratories doing research and process design in the fabrication of high technology electronics. The global nature of the design, manufacturing, and consumption of electronic devices drove the creation of data models and standards for the exchange and sharing of information between companies in all parts of the world. Hoyer led pioneering efforts to define and implement industry standards in order to enable internet-based collaboration.

In recent years, JR has focused on how software technologies can transform and enhance the teaching and learning processes. While excellence in education is primarily dependent up caring and capable teachers, appropriate application of technology can enhance their effectiveness and support improved student achievement.

Education

• MBA, Nova-Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, FL
• BS in Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS
• Program for Executive Development, Penn State University

Professional Highlights

• Pennsylvania Department of Education representative to Gates Foundation for teacher evaluation and development system design
• Designed and developed Pennsylvania system for statewide project-based assessment (an alternative process for high school graduation requirements)
• Member of Occupational Advisory Committee for Pennsylvania vocational-technical curriculum in Internet technologies
• Technical lead for Pennsylvania School Report Card System

Riley recently joined 3rd Learning in late 2011 in a newly created role to focus on marketing, advertising, public relations and business development.

Riley brings over 10 years of experience across multiple disciplines of marketing, advertising, branding and development.

Most recently, Riley led all interactive and public relations work at SKM Group, an advertising agency specializing in education, healthcare, insurance and direct marketing. Overseeing a range of projects such as email marketing campaigns, mobile marketing, website development, social media monitoring, digital strategy, SEO/SEM, public relations and integrated advertising efforts, he raised billings in these areas five times previous levels.

Previously, Riley has executed and created campaigns across several categories including education, insurance, health care, government, digital signage, banking, energy, CPG, retail, franchising, consulting, professional sports and more.

Riley continues to mentor younger marketing/advertising professionals and teaches as an adjunct professor in the Integrated Marketing Communications curriculum at St. Bonaventure University.

Education

• MBA, Saint Bonaventure University
• BA, Saint Bonaventure University

Affiliations

• Board President, Advertising Club of Buffalo
• Former Board of Trustee, Cardinal O’Hara High School
• Former Vice President, St. Bonaventure National Alumni Association
• Leadership Buffalo Marketing Committee Member
• Camp Good Days Advisory Board Member
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute Marketing Committee Member
• Founder, Buffalo Scavenger Hunt

Professional Highlights

• 2009 ADDY Awards Chair
• 2009 B2B Twitterer of the Year Awards Judge
• Career Day Featured Speaker