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Five Ed Tech Conferences You Don't Want to Miss
Technology Integration
No matter what level of technology you feel comfortable with—whether you are new to PowerPoint or consider yourself an expert Webmaster—you’ll be sure to find exciting new ideas for integrating technology and engaging your students at these conferences.
Educational technology conferences offer educators and administrators opportunities to learn how to integrate different technologies across the curriculum while being exposed to the latest hardware, software and successful strategies on student technology use. Here are five suggested venues for accessing such opportunities.
National Educational Computing Conference (NECC)
Every year, nearly 20,000 teachers, technology coordinators, library media specialists, teacher educators, administrators, policy makers, industry representatives, and students from all over the world gather at this important conference. Considered by many as the “Mother of All Ed-Tech Conferences,” NECC is held every summer in a major U.S. city. Sponsored by ISTE (the International Society for Technology in Education), NECC boasts the largest ed-tech exhibit area, encouraging attendees to stay and play. For some, this exhibit hall is the highlight of their NECC experience. For others, it’s the hands-on workshops facilitated by master teachers; motivational keynote speakers; social gatherings that offer networking opportunities, or the group outings and tours that take place outside the conference center.
For more information:
NECC Web site (http://center.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2008)
e-mail neccinfo@iste.org
ISTE Web site (www.iste.org)
Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC)
It may have something to do with their Orlando venue, but thousands of educators from all parts of the country flock to FETC each winter. Second in attendance to NECC, Florida’s conference schedule is slightly less daunting in its scope but is no less stimulating. Like NECC, FETC offers plenty of free amenities, including frequent shuttle buses to and from off-site housing; e-mail stations; wireless connectivity; and orientation sessions for newcomers.
For more information:
FETC Web site (www.fetc.org)
e-mail info@fetc.org
phone 850-219-9600
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
For those who are deeply committed to advancing educational technology, CoSN is the perfect venue. It is considered to be the country’s premier voice for K–12 education leaders who use technology strategically to improve teaching and learning. In addition to providing products and services that support leadership development, advocacy, coalition building, and awareness of emerging technologies, CoSN hosts a variety of meeting events. Their Annual K–12 School Networking Conferences, each with a visionary theme, attract more than 1,000 district, state and national education technology leaders. They are typically held for 2–3 days in March near Washington, D.C. International symposia and policy summits are held, respectively, before and after the annual conferences.
For more information:
CoSN home page (www.cosn.org)
CoSN Conference site (www.k12schoolnetworking.org)
e-mail info@cosn.org
phone 202-861-2676
Teaching With Technology Idea Exchange (TTIX)
“Open sourcing” is a set of principles and practices that advocate open access to goods and knowledge. A relative newcomer on the ed tech scene, TTIX shares these principles, billing itself as “The Open Conference on Technology in Education.” Its two-day event is devoted to the exchange and development of information, best practices, and new ideas. TTIX facilitates the sharing of knowledge by encouraging free access to presentation information and materials. Unlike almost every other educational technology conference, registration for TTIX is free of charge. This makes it an enticing prospect for budget-minded educators seeking professional development in ed tech.
For more information:
TTIX Web site (www.ttix.org)
Contact form: www.ttix.org/contact.php
Other state and regional conferences
With a limited travel budget or schedule, opting for state or regional conferences is a great option. Choose a full day, a partial day, or stay for the entire event. Below are just a few of the top offerings. To find other conferences near and far, use the Ed Tech Conference Calendar (www.theconferencecalendar.com) offered by T.H.E. Journal.
Alabama Educational Technology Conference (www.aetc.cc)
CUE Conference (California) (www.cue.org)
eTech Ohio (www.etech.ohio.gov/conference)
Georgia Educational Technology Conference (www.gaetc.org)
Midwest Educational Technology Conference (www2.csd.org)
North Carolina Educational Technology Conference (www.ncetc.org)
Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference (www.peteandc.org)
Tennessee Educational Technology Conference (www.teta.org/node/436)
Texas Computer Education Association Convention (www.tcea.org)
Filled with cross-curricular activities and real-world connections, Digital Communication Tools helps students understand how digital tools such as PDAs, Tablet PCs, and laptops are revolutionizing the way we perform everyday tasks. In addition to providing information on relevant topics such as wireless networks, firewalls and packets, voice mail, and disaster recovery plans, Digital Communication Tools also includes activities to correlate lessons with language arts, social studies, science, and math.
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