For a number of years, I've worked on the conference committee for the Illinois Computing Educators Conference as one of the people in charge of spotlight and keynote speakers. It's really been an exciting task to help find interesting, provocative speakers and bring them here to Illinois. I love my work on this committee and am continually impressed by the behind the scenes efforts of my conference colleagues. They seem to have hit their stride in terms of finding routines and procedures that make the whole event fall into place. It's really been a learning experience, and I encourage you to get involved with your local ISTE affiliate and do the same.
This year's line up looks particularly great, and I'm really excited about the pre-conference workshops. There is a wide variety of hands-on opportunities available for a reasonable price. I'm also looking forward to just talking shop with fellow educational technologists and expect that you'll find many of us hanging out in the Personal Learning Plaza, an informal gathering area for those interested in Twitter, blogging and other Web 2.0 tools.
If you're interested in coming to this event but are lacking in funding, considering volunteering for two 2 hour shifts and get a hefty registration discount. For details on the volunteer program, click
here.
For further general information, please read the following press release:
Register Today for ICE Conference 2010: A Learning Odyssey
Educators from across the region have begun registering for Illinois’ premier educational technology conference held February 23-26 at the Pheasant Run resort in St. Charles, IL. This year’s event, “A Learning Odyssey,” allows teachers and administrators the opportunity for two days of hands-on pre-conference workshops and two general conference days featuring nationally recognized keynote and spotlight speakers. General breakout sessions on a wide variety of topics will bring educators up to date with best practices in technology to enhance teaching and learning. Conference attendees will view a showcase of student projects and see the latest in hardware, software, and services by visiting with over 250 vendors in the exhibition hall. Bloggers and Web 2.0 enthusiasts will be able to meet with colleagues in our Personal Learning Network Plaza for face to face networking.
"We are especially pleased with the quality of this year’s keynote speakers," says Conference Chair, Beth Burke. On Friday, Dr. Robert Marzano, a respected author of more than 30 books and 150 articles, will speak on Classroom Instruction and the Infusion of Technology. Many educators are familiar with the findings that have come from studies conducted by the Marzano Research Laboratory, particularly the nine strategies outlined in Classroom Instruction That Works. Dr. Marzano will explore the role that technology can play in the classroom and the gain in student achievement documented by current research.
Thursday‘s keynote is Mario Armstrong, host and syndicator of his own technology talk show. Armstrong, who appears on NPR, will focus on significant technology trends that affect education as well as the growing interest in video games and other creative technologies. Thursday's special ticketed luncheon event speaker will feature internationally known educational consultant and speaker, David Warlick.
Spotlight speakers include Rushton Hurley, Carol Anne McGuire, Jerome Burg, Brent Coley, Jennifer Dorman, Melinda Fiscus, Scott Meech, Leslie Fisher and Sara Kajder.
Administrators can take advantage of one of the six sessions offered on Tuesday and Wednesday covering a wide range of topics from Supporting RTI with Digital Tools to Harnessing the Power of Data to Effect School Improvement to The School Administrator as Instructional Technology Leader.
Visit the new ICE website at https://register.iceberg.org to learn more about the conference and to register today!
"ICE 2010 promises to be an outstanding event for educators,” notes this year’s conference co-chair, Anne Truger. “We have prepared two days of pre-conference workshops, followed by a full line up of conference activities on Thursday and Friday that will allow each participant to explore different technologies and provide them with innovative ideas to bring back to their classrooms and schools.”
For more information, please visit these links:
ICE Website:
http://iceberg.org
ICE Ning:
http://myiltce.ning.com/
About Dr. Marzano:
http://www.marzanoresearch.com/About/about_dr_marzano.aspx
About Mario Armstrong:
http://marioa.squarespace.com/full-bio/
