1. Technology Conference 101: Creating a Technology Conference that Wows Your Participants AESA Conference Austin, TX December 5, 2009 Diane Jackson Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency

2. Why have a tech conference?  Difficult for teachers/administrators to attend during the school year  Student proficiency in technology literacy was hit and miss  Pockets of technology integration  The only tech conference in the state was held in October in either Des Moines or Iowa City

4. Create vision for your conference Our vision… Teachers and administrators will develop an awareness and knowledge of technology needs for the 21 st century learning environment.

5. Where to start?  Decide purpose of conference and outcomes  Get the right people “on the bus”  Conference dates – how many days  Create a budget  Venue  Keynote  Intended Audience

6. Outcomes:  Build knowledge of available technology tools  Increase technology into instructional practices  Learn ways to provide access to technology tools  Ethical and legal aspects of technology integration  Everyone leaves with the knowledge that use of technology will increase student learning  Prepare our students for the future  Develop networking resources for support  Technology leadership

7. Strands  Policies and Finances Superintendents, principals, board members  Technical Management Tech coordinators  Classroom Implementation-differentiate Teachers, curriculum directors, teacher/librarians

8.  Survey intended audience Survey Keep it short! Two or three questions Google forms

9. Survey results – Question 1  From the respondents, majority were excited about the conference and planned to attend  Reasons for not attending Summer School Money

10. Survey Results – Question 2  Web 2.0 Tools Social Networking Video Conferencing Twitter/Flickr  SmartBoards  Google Docs  Toys to Tools iPods, Cellphones, MP3 players

11.  Assistive Technology Application Read-Write Gold  Digital Storytelling  Cyber bullying  Moodle  Video Production  Copyright  Iowa AEA Online, PD360

12. Committees  Keynote  Presenters Presenters  Program  Vendors Vendors  Publicity  Registration Registration  Bookstore Bookstore  Hospitality  Door Prizes  Evaluations

13. Participants want…  Licensure renewal credit  Coffee and rolls in the morning  Lunch included in registration fee  Practitioners as presenters  Time built into the conference to work with their team

14. Create a wiki!

15. Conference Items  Program Program  Reflection Journal Reflection  Action Plan Action  Presenter token of appreciation  Bags for participants  NETS for students  Educational Leadership Magazine

16. Evaluations  Keynote and sessions How well was the content of the presentation delivered? How much do you predict that the ideas and information presented today will impact you personally as a professional? Do you feel information from this session will enhance student achievement in your classroom? Can you use this information to enhance your leadership in your building or district?  Overall ConferenceConference

17. What we learned…  Attend state/national conferences  Planning committee meet monthly  Have conference at one venue  Ask vendors for door prizes or help with refreshments  Keep registration open as long as possible  Debrief at the end of each day  Have daily announcements  Review conference Review

18. Added benefits…  Partner with the state conference  Participants and presenters statewide  Provide NW Iowa educators with the latest technology tools and strategies  Districts have developed and implemented their technology action plans

19. 2010 Conference  More sessions repeated  More double sessions  More signage  Registration through Google forms  Scheduling  Session evaluations

20. Word Clouds!!!

21. Contact Information Diane Jackson Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency djackson@aea8.k12.ia.us 712-335-3588 Ext. 2049 Conference forms: http://ticl.wikispaces.com/