During late January of this year I was afforded the opportunity to attend the National FETC Conference in Orlando, FL as an attendee and as co-presenter. Our presentation, which was a Posterboard Presentation, was entitled “Innovative Solutions For Mobilizing The Modern Classroom” and was presented between 11 and 12 on Jan. 31, 2014. I co-presented with Walt Justice, who was my predecessor in the Title III STEM Grant Program here at the Dale Mabry Campus of the Hillsborough Community College. The conference gave us the opportunity to do an informal turnover and a slightly more knowledgeable transition into my current role. I was also introduced into the morays of “Educational Technology” in a very special way – through the 3 days I attended the FETC Conference.
This being the 34th such Conference, the current introductory literature said: “The amazing content provided by FETC is what keeps many of our participants coming back year after year and is drawing an increasingly larger national and international audience, with over 42 countries and all 50 United States represented at FETC this January. With over 8,500 participants, the FETC Community is continuously growing and seeking to share the latest trends, best practices and successful implementation policies and projects in educational technology!” I expected a lot, and I got it!
The question then becomes, “How do I share this experience with all of you?” The answer wasn’t and still isn’t easy. The conference was highly interactive in all of its sessions with very important topics. The keynote speakers were extraordinary and there was an Exhibitor’s Hall with nearly 500 vendors, all eager to share their incredible stories with me.
This year, I believe, was the first time that the FETC videoed their sessions and what a great idea that was. I have recently discovered a link, that I will share with you, that provides you with a sampling of the presentation videos and that amazing content of the convention. The following are the names of the Keynote and Session Presentations that you will have access to through this link below.
http://events.mediasite.com/Mediasite/Catalog/Full/b8dc5f8be8114706a22ea5f27963da6f21
Note: You will be taken to a site where there are 10 video presentations on a page. Navigate to the remaining 4 pages in the upper right hand corner.
Choose any that you want to view. All of the content is good even though it might not apply directly to you. Remember this is the first time they tried this video thing, so there are some learning errors but by and large the videos are done well.
Let me make a few recommendations: FS5081 is an eye opener! The Keynotes are very good, especially Key457, good questions at the end. FS4046 is also very interesting especially if the only thing you know about Bloom is his Taxonomy.
- Tech Share Live
- Key457 – Globetrotting the World of Architecture and Engineering and the Science Behind It All
- Keynote – Redefining Learning, Redefining Ourselves
- FS1379 – Access, Engagement, and Anticipation: Technology is the Great Equalizer
- FS1383 – Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times
- FS1390 – Social Learning, Big Data & the Power of the Network
- FS1084 – Creating Digital Rich Classrooms: Teaching and Learning with Web 2.0
- CS1953 – iPad Apps Supporting Curriculum
- FS2393 – Ten Things everyone should know about Student and Digital Learning
- CS2831 – iPad Pioneers: Exploration + Innovation = Education! Make Learning an Adventure
- FS2437 – Sony Tablet Solutions in Education
- FS2869 – 60 iPad Tips and Tricks to Make You an iPad Guru
- FS3877 – The Best Tablets for your School or School System
- FS3384 – Rapid-Fire Learning: 20 in 40
- CS3830 – Student & Teacher Workflow with the iPad
- FS3050 – Removing the Distance from Distance Learning
- FS 4046 – Curves are for Breaking: Bloom, Bells, and the 30 Year Challenge
- FS4380 – Tinkering, Tablets and Tots: Tablets in Constructivist Primary Classrooms
- FS4894 – 9 Digital Tools for 9 Common Core Standards
- FS4465 – The Goldfish Tank – 5 Technologies
- CS4018 – Using the iPad to Create a Paperless School Environment
- FS5868 – Digital Storytelling Meets the Common Core
- FS5072 – Science Apps for Middle and High School Students
- FS5081 – Exploring New Literacies for Networked, Self-directed learners and makers
- CS5770 – iPad App PD…Don’t Present, Share!
- FS5374 – Leveraging Mobile Technology to Foster Early Elementary Academic Achievement
- CS6096 – Managing iOS Devices in a Flexible BYOD Environment
- FS6382 – Digital learning Across the Curriculum
- FS6468 – K-20 Goals for the Next Five Years Due to Technology
- FS6419 – Anywhere, Anytime learning: Professional Development Your Way
- Keynote – Leading, learning and the modern School
- FS7903 – Digital Footprints: Manage Your Online Reputation
- FS7455 – Microsoft and Nokia-Educating without Boundaries
- FS7385 – Doing More and Going Deeper with Twitter
- FS7381 – Untangling the Web: Tools to Power Up Your Teaching
- CS7240 – iPad Tips and Tricks
- FS8073 – Secondary App Share
- CS8968 – Campfires in Cyberspace: New Tales and New Storytellers
- FS8466 – Government Program Opportunities for Investors, Small Business, Teachers and Students
- CS8913 – 40 Free iPad Apps Educators Can’t Live Without!
- FS8058 – If You Hate Assessment, You’re Doing It Wrong
- FS9421 – The Journey to Online and Blended Learning
- CS9840 – The Single iPad Classroom Transformation
- FS9875 – Expanding Reality: Make that Six “R’s” in Education
- FS9880 – 10 Future Technologies that will shape Our Schools
- Fs9375 – Elementary App Share: Show You Mine/ Show Me Yours!
- FST376 – Game-Based Learning Models for Accelerating ESOL/Bilingual Students
- Cst855 – 5 Keys to Building a Successful iPad Program
- FST873 – The Web 2.0 You Might Not Know About
- Closing Keynote: Session Creativity, Inspiration, and Where We Go From Here
I hope you get a feel for the Conference I attended in our own back yard. Please share this information with others, and I would enjoy hearing your comments regarding the content and how it might have applied to you.
As always, if you would like more information on this or you would like to schedule a time to come and chat with us, please contact Bethany Cordell or Dan Albright. You can also tweet or Instagram @HCCSTEM
Title III (HSI) STEM Grant Blog 