Below is a recap of the day's sessions and events, complete with handouts and other materials submitted by presenters.
Welcome and Opening Keynote
Cultivating a World-Class Work Ethic
Alan November
Web 2.0 Best Practices
Gwen Solomon (moderator); Steve Dembo, Ryan Bretag, Linda Brandon
Blogs, wikis, podcasts, Flickr, Moodle, YouTube, del.icio.us, social networking — the list of new technologies grows by the minute and it's all too easy to get bogged down in the details or wowed by the glitz. But what are the uses that make a difference? What's the true potential of Web 2.0 in schools? Our tapped-in presenters will demonstrate some of the uses that are inspiring them and look at the ways in which these emerging technologies can have a positive impact on today's classrooms.
Steve Dembo
- Presentation: Web 2.0
Linda Brandon
Ryan Bretag
- Presentation: Web 2.0 Best Practices
Leadership: Managing the Transition
Alan November
Join keynoter Alan November as he outlines essential skills for leadership, and offers practical guidelines and creative solutions for building accountability into the planning process. Articulating vision and mission, managing change, and aligning technology to primary goals will be emphasized. A shift in planning from technology to the quality and application of information and communication is a critical next step.
The Power of Story: Digital Storytelling 2.0
David Jakes, Jon Orech
Digital Storytelling is one of the most powerful new concepts to come along in years. This session with begin with a look at the essential concepts, practical applications, and "advanced" techniques for achieving superior projects. Next, we'll examine what's in store for Digital Storytelling tomorrow and beyond. How do you maintain the momentum, grow your program, and build on the storytelling process so that it reaches its full potential as a learning experience? Join us as we explore the strategies, techniques, resources and projects that will take a digital storytelling program to the next level.
Technology for the Real World
Jeffrey Branzburg (moderator); Laura Allen, Kim Carter, Bram Moreinis
Come learn about three high school programs in which students use digital technology to help master real-world challenges. From an NSF-funded project that has inner-city students addressing community problems to a game design company staffed largely by teens to a public school of choice where internships and field experiences are central to the personalized learning program of every student, you'll hear how students are "learning by doing" with support from cutting-edge technologies.
Laura Allen
- Presentation: SoBRO TEC
Kim Carter
Bram Moreinis
Roundtable Discussions
These discussions, on topics suggested by attendees when you register, provide a great opportunity for you to network with fellow technology leaders.
Mini-workshops
Here's your chance to explore key topics — such as digital storytelling, visual literacy, leadership skills, or grant writing — in greater depth. Look for updates on topics and speakers in the coming weeks.
Learning With Wikis
Jon Orech
From high-tech literature circles to cooperative inquiry projects, students at the workshop leader's school are using wikis to communicate, collaborate and learn. Come delve into the world of wikis and explore a variety of educational applications for this Web 2.0 tool. Although Jon is an English teacher, he will share strategies and techniques that can be applied to many different disciplines.
21st Century Cartographers
Dave Jakes
Almost any subject can be studied within a geographical context. In this session, explore the application of Google Maps and Google Earth to student learning, and how these amazing tools can lead to engagement and achievement. You'll learn about the technical requirements and the logistical components necessary for successful school integration and how to create Google Earth and Map files. Leave the session with a thorough understanding of how these tools can be successfully used to create learning environments in which students become 21st Century cartographers.
Policies, Safety and Social Networking
Steve Dembo
In an era when student missteps can linger on the internet for years, and stories of predators and cyberbullies dominate the news, there are plenty of reasons for schools to tighten their firewalls. But is banning really a viable response? How do we help students learn to leverage the powerful new tools that are available to them? What policies do we set that ensure that learning and safety go hand in hand? See how some districts have embraced new technologies while still maintaining high standards and keeping their students safe.
Visual Literacy
Sheila Gersh
This workshop will address visual literacy and its importance to education today and tomorrow. We will look at the ways in which images, video, and visual literacy skills can help students improve everything from basic reading to decision making to communication skills. Examples of visual literacy activities across the curriculum will be explored along with the tools that can be used to create multimedia projects including poems, cartoons, and digital storytelling. Participants will also learn about Web 2.0 resources (Flickr, Picasa, etc.) for finding and sharing images.
