Monday, May 12, 2014

edCampMKE

One of the things I like best about my job is all of the fantastic opportunities I have to attend conferences and workshops. Sometimes they are GREAT and sometimes they are not so great. Luckily, this past Saturday, I attended one that was GREAT.

The edCamp format is simple. There are no "presenters" and the attendees build the schedule. We had four scheduled times to meet and we chose the topics. I attended four terrific sectionals.

My first session was: Library Redesign & Dewey Discussion!
My "ah-ha" moment: We talked about creating a High-Interest Nonfiction section in the library where students could find books that they wouldn't necessarily need for research but might really enjoy reading.

My second session was: Tech Coach - This Works for Me!
My "ah-ha" moment: One educator spoke of meeting at the local Barnes & Noble on the weekend for a little PD. Teachers could bring their kiddos and they'd listen to a story time session provided by the B&N staff while the adults talked tech. We don't have a B&N in our town but we do have a really nice coffee shop that might work too! One more thing that really got me was how a name can be everything to a PD program. Get a "cool" name and get the staff interested!

Lunch was a great opportunity to meet back up with my local team to share what we discussed up to this point as well as a chance to meet with others from the edCamp.

My third session was: Makerspaces & Mindcraft EDU
My "ah-ha" moment: A group in this session shared how they have a TechKnow Kids after school group that Love that Makerspaces can be used in all levels of education!

My fourth session was: 5 iPads in the Elementary Classroom - How do we keep them utilized?
My "ah-ha" moment: This session was one that I had suggested. It didn't quite go in the direction I had originally planned but we ended up with a lot of great ideas on how to use iPads in the classroom when you don't have enough for the entire class.

Overall, this was DEFINITELY worth a Saturday away from my family! I am very excited to attend this event next year as well!

Team Pulaski:

@g5changeagent21, @MrsGeeLMS @amyuelmen @RecessDuty

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