TCEA 2010 Highlights

Playgrounds and Lounges are a great opportunity for interactive learning, networking, and idea sharing. This year we will feature the following lounges and playgrounds:

Lone Star Edubloggercon Tuesday, Feb. 9 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Lone Star Edubloggercon is the ‘Un’ conference before the convention. Join us on Tuesday as educational bloggers from all over the Web 2.0 world converge to share tips, hints, and secrets to make better blogs, podcasts, and communications. Speakers and sessions will be scheduled onsite, during the Lone Star Edubloggercon –  surprise is part of the excitement.

 

Visit the TCEA Ning to get in on the excitement!

 

Technology Applications Teacher Network (TATN) Pre-conference Event

Tuesday, Feb. 9 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

All K-12 teachers are invited to attend this full-day series of Best Practices sessions. Dedicated strands will be provided for teachers involved in the integration of the technology applications TEKS with foundation and enrichment curricula TEKS. Exemplary teachers from across the state will share lesson plans, student projects, and assessment rubrics focused on the integration of the Technology Applications TEKS into the core content areas for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. Additionally, there will be teachers sharing best practices from the middle and high school technology applications courses. The core integration strand will spotlight best practices using technology to integrate foundation TEKS in grades 6-8 and 9-12.

 

There is no additional cost for the TATN Best Practices sessions, but pre-registration is inlcuded. Space is limited.

 

SMART User Conference at TCEA 2010 Tuesday, Feb. 9 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost is $39 per participant.

A wealth of knowledge about SMART products exists in your local education community – in people like you who are passionate about the products and their role in enhancing teaching and learning. You are invited to join us for the SMART User Conference at TCEA 2010 in Austin. It's a forum that will enable Texas educators to share ideas, approaches and best practices for using SMART products in learning environments. It will also facilitate the exchange of content and resources throughout the region. You'll have the opportunity to network with other educators, share resources and build skills. You’ll leave the event with new ideas for making the most of your SMART products and increasing student engagement in your classroom.

 

Interactive Technology Playground – sponsored by SMART

Visit the Interactive Technology Playground, sponsored by SMART Technologies, where you can get hands-on with SMART products, take in presentations from fellow tech-savvy educators, and discover the latest tips, tricks and tools for integrating educational technology from SMART. By attending a presentation in the Interactive Technology Playground, you can receive a complimentary copy of SMART Board Interactive Whiteboards for Dummies^®, while quantities last.

 

BYOC (Build Your Own Computer) Monday, Feb. 8  Noon – 7:00 p.m.

Cost is $750 per participant. Space is limited and you must register prior to Jan. 15.

 

The BYOC program is designed to provide educators with the knowledge to build computers and troubleshoot the systems when something goes wrong. Participants are given step-by-step instructions as well as trouble shooting techniques to take back with them.

 

BYOC provides quality parts from which to build a computer system. This training enables participants to return to their district/campus and work with students or teachers to help them also build computer systems for their own use.

 

The goal is to give students skills that will enhance their employment opportunities and/or success in college and to ease the apprehension some educators have about using computers.

 

TCEA is providing the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office for participants to install on the computers they are building.

 

School Video News Broadcast Center at TCEA

While attending this year’s convention, make sure you stop by the School Video News Broadcast Center and see a working studio that could be implemented in any K-12 environment. Staffed by technology professionals and students from Texas schools, the Broadcast Center will produce stories featuring topical convention events and interviews with attendees, exhibitors, keynote speakers and others.

 

Any school or organization wishing to use the Broadcast Center during the convention is invited to do so. Content will be posted on SchoolTube, and other media sharing sites. Please e-mail your reservations for studio time to TCEA@buysvs.com. 

 

The TCEA Broadcast Center is facilitated through a collaboration between TCEA and School Video News.

 

TCEA Legislative Panel Tuesday, Feb. 9 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Invited Senators from the Texas legislature will participate in a panel discussion of issues of interest to the educational technology community.  Please join us to hear their perspective and demonstrate your interest in advocating for resources so all Texas students can acquire 21st century skills. 

 

First Timers Session Tuesday, Feb. 9 3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.

or Wednesday, Feb. 10 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.

Attend the First Timers Session for tips and tricks to maximize your time at TCEA 2010 and make your convention a worthwhile experience. Whether this is your first TCEA convention or you just want to be prepared for a week packed full of presentations, special events, and networking, you don’t want to miss the TCEA First Timers Session.