Connecting through EdTech Conferences

In April I presented several session at the 2013 Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) conference in Detroit, Michigan. This year was one of the largest gatherings in the history of MACUL with over 4,000 educators in attendance.

State-level EdTech conferences provide tremendous opportunities for making connections with other like-minded educators. These connections can lead to amazing collaborative opportunities. If you aren't connected with your local EdTech organization, here is a list of ISTE affiliates across the US.

Below are links to the three presentations that I gave this year at Macul13. I hope that they will be helpful to someone and start you on a journey toward improving your instruction and providing your students with opportunities to create, collaborate, and communicate.

The Digital Natives are Restless
Today’s hyper-connected, Facebook using, youtube posting, always moving digital natives are restless. They are tired of being confined to the classroom, relegated to turning in insignificant assignments and kept in their seats. This session will explore the characteristics of "digital natives" and the responsibility educators have to challenge them. The digital natives are restless and they need our help.

Best Practices for Online and Blended Learning

Online and blended learning is becoming increasingly common in the K-12 environment. The unique needs and dispositions of K-12 students require a new examination of how online courses are structured and delivered. This session will feature practical suggestions for structuring blended or fully online courses. This honest presentation will discuss the good, the bad, and the challenging aspects of online and blended learning.

Web Ninja Tricks (with thanks to Lori Ferrington)

Are you a Web Ninja? Here are some exciting, surprising, and downright awesome web-based tools that you can use to increase your personal productivity, communicate with others, and be more effective as a teacher or administrator. Explore and become a Web Ninja!