TCEA 2008 was the ‘greatest destination’
About 12,000 people “discovered their destinations” at TCEA 2008 the first week of February at the Austin Convention Center.
TCEA 2008 broke all previous records with a total registered attendance of more than 8,500. There were about 12,000 people onsite including exhibitors, TCEA staff and board, members of the media, and others.
The convention included a trade show with more than 750 exhibit booths, representing a wide spectrum of the computer and software industry. TCEA presented more than 400 educational sessions. There are 130 hands-on paid technology workshops and more than 300 free sessions, all designed to help educators learn to use technology effectively in their classroom instruction.
Attendees learned about the latest and most up-to-date technology solutions and ways to incorporate them into their teaching and learning. TCEA hosted thousands of principals, superintendents, teachers, technology specialists, and curriculum specialists.
Speakers
Wednesday keynote Dr. Sally Ride, a member of the Challenger crew on two flights, is now an advocate for improved science education and has written five science books for children.
Dr. Ride will always have the distinction of being America’s first woman in space. She also is a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. At the convention’s opening session, Dr. Ride talked about the importance of science education to our country’s and children’s futures.
“Science and technology are the engines that drive our society,” she said. Although the U.S. has led the way in science and technology, “it’s ironic that we put so little emphasis on science education.”
“Other countries put far more emphasis and it’s starting to show,” Dr. Ride told the audience. “It’s time for us to wake up and respond to this challenge. Good basic jobs increasingly require good science, math, and technology skills.”
The key, she said, is sustaining the interest students already have in science through the critical stage of middle school.
David Pogue, personal-technology columnist for the New York Times and an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News, was the Thursday luncheon speaker at an event to honor TCEA past presidents.
Pogue, who also is a bestselling “how-to” author, talked about technology trends in a funny and engaging way. He spoke of the convergence of new technologies such as wireless Internet, Web 2.0, VoIP (voice over IP), and such devices as iPhones and the challenges they present to students and teachers.
Friday keynote was Marco Torres, a teacher, media coach, and education technology director for San Fernando High School. He has been honored internationally for his ability to empower students.
Torres led the audience through a series of remarkable student videos and multimedia to demonstrate how passionately students can become involved through technology. He revealed the 21st century digital culture that already exists for young people and how it can be used for teaching and learning.
Other Highlights
Dr. Lane Mills, one of the convention’s seven Featured Presenters, talked about 21st century learning at a joint luncheon of the Educational Technology Research Symposium and the Leadership Seminar. Dr. Mills is an Assistant Superintendent at Wilson County Schools in North Carolina and has won many national awards for his views on technology leadership.
Referring to himself as a “geek with social skills,” Mills talked about globalization and the things that are making our world “flat.” Right-brain learners are coming into their own and the percentage of students who use web 2.0 capabilities is growing and growing. They are not only using the message boards, social networks, and downloading and blogging, they are creating their own personal digital identities. All of this requires 21st century skills such as globalization, thinking and learning, life skills, and ITC literacy.
“The question is are we doing something to get ready for this?” Mills asked. About adapting to 21st century learning, he said: “It’s about headware, not hardware.”
The Thursday social, “Hulabration,” was a huge hit as attendees let their hair down after nearly a week of learning and training. They were entertained by authentic hula dancers, snacked on free food, danced to the sounds of Texas Unlimited Band, and played games and socialized.
Podcasting and geocaching were among the latest educational technology trends explored at the convention. At Podcast Central Station, attendees were invited to explore podcasting through multiple methods. They had the opportunity to hear a presentation about podcasting examples in the classroom and also to get hands-on experience at either a PC or Mac computer station in small groups. Nearly 700 attendees visited Podcast Central Station over the two days. Many attendees visited to learn more about podcasting after attending another podcasting session at the convention. One iPod Shuffle was given away each day to a lucky door prize winner.
Several hundred attendees tried their hand at geocaching, a new type of technology treasure hunt using a GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) unit. Geocaching participants used either a Garmin eTrex or a Magellan eXplorist 210 unit to locate the coordinates of the cache and then also used the written clues to find the exact location of the cache (or prize). Geocaching teaches about satellites, latitude and longitude, mapping, distance, and problem solving, as well as collaboration among teams.
This year, attendees had the chance learn from TCEA’s nationally known featured speakers in workshops, sessions, or a seminar setting. Tammy Worcester gave teachers practical classroom tips that took educators beyond the basics in the Microsoft Suite and taught them now to “wow” their students. Patrick Crispen’s high energy and tech knowledge kept attendees in their seats learning more about the “Googlebots” and “What’s New and Next” in technology. Those that attended the featured presenters’ workshops were able to take advantage of the small classroom setting and hands-on experience at the computer.
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