New This Year
The Green Room
TCEA is offering an array of sessions addressing the growing environmental concern and its impact on educational technology. A selection of sessions on best practices, getting students involved and interested, and reducing your schools’ carbon footprint will be presented from industry professionals and teachers who have taken the plunge to get involved. Featured sessions include Carbon Footprints in the Classroom, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 8:00 a.m. and Green IT Options Wednesday, Feb. 4, 10:15 a.m.
Robotics Extravaganza 500
Math+Science+Technology=FUN in education! Want to learn more about robotics? TCEA and LEGO are offering beginner and advanced workshops for participants who are interested in or want to expand their knowledge on Robotics. See the full workshop listing on page 19.
Don’t have time to attend a full workshop? Robotics Extravaganza 500 in the exhibit hall will feature informal hands-on demonstrations with pre-programmed robots. This is your opportunity to “play” with the robots first-hand and talk to our knowledgeable facilitators about implementing robotics into your classroom.
What’s Everyone Talking About?
TCEA’s blog, dedicated solely to the 2009 convention, is online now at www.tcea2009.org. Join the expanding network and find out what others have to say about this premier educational technology convention!
Panels of Experts
Join us for these Q & A sessions addressing the hottest topics in the classroom right now. TCEA’s moderators are equipped to put these panelists on the spot. Come see what they have to say!
Web 2.0 Panel: Where Do We Go From Here?
This century brought many innovative technologies to the classroom, from podcasting to streaming video and from online courses to geocaching. So what’s next for Web 2.0? Find out Thursday, Feb. 5, noon-1:30 p.m.
Panelists:
- Patricia Schnee, Lead Trainer and Curriculum Coordinator,
- University of Texas Professional Development Center and
- Caleb Schutz, President of The JASON Project
- Bradley Kessler, 21st Century Student
Gaming Panel: Gaming In Education
Teens and preteens make up a huge percentage of the gaming industry. For this reason, education professionals have tapped into the world of gaming as a means to teach to their audience (teen gamers). Join the panel discussion and be exposed to the trends and advancements in gaming and learn of their effects on education. Where is the gaming industry heading? How are the new learners being affected? How can education jump on board and be a part of this shift? What should educators, specifically teachers, know when it comes to gaming? What can educators do now in the classroom to entertain the minds of gamers? Find out the answers to these questions and get industry professional feedback. Join the discussion on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 2:00 p.m.
Panelists:
- Lee Wilson, Principal Consultant for Headway Strategies;
- John Rice, Director of Technology for Iola ISD, doctoral candidate in Educational Computing at University of North Texas; and
- Dr. James M. Bower Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CVO of Numedeon Inc.
Film Festival
TCEA’s Film Festival is a digital video showcase presenting K-12 student-created films to reflect on the increase of digital video in the classroom. Attend this informal come-and-go event to share ideas with your peers and discover ways to incorporate video into your classroom or district. We invite you to submit your films to be shared with teachers from across the country in this two-day showcase. Visit the TCEA Convention web site, www.tcea2009.org, for full details.
Model Classroom ‘Pit Stop’
See exemplary technology integration in action. In the model classroom, presenters assume the role of the teacher providing instruction while the audience assumes the role of students or observers. See how teachers from across Texas rev students’ engines with the use of technology in the 21st century classroom. Model Classroom presentations will be held throughout the day Wednesday and Thursday. A full schedule including session descriptions is available on page 9.
SchoolTube/School Video News Broadcast Center at TCEA
While attending this year’s conference, make sure you stop by the SchoolTube/School Video News Broadcast Center and see a working media center produce and stream live coverage of the key events. This Broadcast Center will be a working studio that could be implemented in any K-12 environment. Staffed by technology professionals and students of Texas schools, the Broadcast Center will produce stories featuring topical conference events and stream live coverage of keynote speakers and special events.
Any school or organization wishing to use the Broadcast Center during the convention is invited to do so. Content can be posted on SchoolTube, the only moderated site for school content. Please e-mail your reservations for studio time to TCEA@buysvs.com.
The TCEA Broadcast Center is facilitated through collaboration between TCEA, School Video News, and SchoolTube.
