Geeking Out - Day #2

Today's blog is brought to you by BLOGGER the app.   And that's all I'm saying about that. 

We'll start with a picture of the Orlando Eye, only because I didn't take any pictures at the conference as I was too busy taking notes!

I had set 3 different alarms this morning to make sure I was at my 8:00am workshop this morning, but when the first alarm went off, I seriously did not know where I was and why I was there.  My brain actually hurt trying to figure that out.  That was a weird and concerning experience.   As was almost leaving my phone in the LYFT car this morning.  But I didn't, so we move on.

I was 10 minutes late for my workshop, but it really didn't matter.  It was called something like "App-Smashing" - using several apps to create one project.   I love the workshop experiences where you walk out ready to conquer the world with this new knowledge, and this was no different.  Lots of great ideas to digitally share and present students work.  This is where we are headed.  It's nice to know what the beginning tools are to get that started at home.

I took a coffee break and then wandered around the exhibits and had some great conversations with a lot of great people.  I picked up a lot of brochures and learned a lot of new things.  Some are really exciting.  So exciting that I really can't mention it here on the blog, just know that it's exciting.

The rest of the day, I attended 4 short sessions on some great subjects.  The first one was called "Social Media for the Classroom".  I was quite intrigued by the title, but was pleasantly surprised at the actual content.  While always keeping digital citizenship at the forefront, many social media sites have bad raps when it comes to kids, but by using Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and a few others correctly - as they were created to be - they can be great tools for the classroom.

Speaking of Twitter, I ran into the lady that I talked to last night about Twitter in the classroom and she presented me with the name of the person that runs the catholic ed chat on Twitter.  I was surprised she remembered me.  I took a picture of the info.  Later this evening, I ran into her again on International Drive along with Paul Shircliff, the guy that runs the catholic ed chat on Twitter.  Such a  small world.

Second small session was "Go-to Apps and Web Tools for Every Classroom, Every subject"  Wasn't too exciting, but I have a list of apps for the classroom to share.

After these, I took a Walgreen's break and picked up some things.  I'm having some issues with my right heel, etc - definitely planter fasciitis - and I was having issues with the arch, etc and haven't been taking ibruproffin to keep the swelling down, so I went and picked up some things for that at Walgreens.  They all helped.  

Stopped for some lunch and then if was off to Introduction to Coding for Elementary and Middle School Students.  It was mostly on Scratch, which I already have a working knowledge of.  So, it was not really a bust, but I would have liked to see something a bit less involved than Scratch and more involved than Scratch Jr, which we already play with at school.

Final session of the day... "Welcome to HAA:  Hopelessly Devoted to Apps" - Apps Anonymous.   Basically, 22 or so apps that your need on your ipad or device that will do everything you need - not 225 apps.   It was fun and a great finish of the day.

But the day wasn't really over.  Tonight was a Karaoke Event held at a karaoke bar on International Drive - which is like Las Vegas without the casinos - craziness, but fun.  I took a LYFT to the place and stayed a while.  It was kinda boring, no one was really any good and there was a contest also - which I wasn't aware of - cuz I would have entered  LOL.   I ended up leaving and walking down International Drive .  I stopped at Shake Shack for dinner, which was just kinda ok... I heard it was the best thing since sliced bread, but it wasn't that great, but still yummy.  I walked to my hotel and here I am.

Tomorrow, another 8:00am workshop - which means up early to pack and check out before I head to the convention center.  The day will end sometime in the afternoon and then it's off to Disney for a few days.  I promise the blog won't be as dry!!

Geeking Out Day #1

So. last night found me back on a red-eye flight to the east coast.  This time for work, although it will prove to be fun work.  I was on my way to the Fuure of Education Technology Conference in Orlando, Florida.  This was because of my new job at work, Technology Coordinator.  A job that I do take very seriously and has been something new and challenging for me this year.  Evidently, this is the 36 year of this conference here in Orlando.   Anyhow, the flights were good - the connection was quick, and I think I made it in my sleep.  When I got to Orlando, it was a whole new experience for me as I'm always flying into Orlando to go to Walt Disney World and when you do that, your bags are automatically transfered to your resort, etc.... so Mickey wasn't waiting for me this time.  I guess it was time to be an adult and get my bags and a taxi to my hotel.  I was kinda stressing over being in a new place that I didn't know (even though it was Orlando) but Mom gently reminded me that I travled all over Italy without knowing where I was and I didn't have a problem.  She was right, of course.

I got to my hotel, took a nap and a shower and I was ready to head to the convention center.  How was I going to get there?   I had a few options, but the first option is always to walk, which I did.  Sort of... I  realized after a few blocks, that the walk was not going to happen.  So, I hopped on the trolly for the rest of the way.   The driver was nice to tell me where I had to get off to get where I was going.  I got off and saw this

Well, it looks like we are sharing the space with a Surf Expo.  How exciting.

I grabed my name badge

and got some lunch and shared a table with a guy named Ivan who was the IT support for several schools in the Orlando area.  We talked about iPads vs. Chrome Books etc, we also talked about the schedule of the conference.  I was still having a little issue understanding the schedule and what were considered workshops and what were "drop-ins" etc.  I have a ticket for two workshops for the conference.  I figured out that you don't sign up for them, but just show up early and get in line and hope you'll get in.  So, with the app, I made my schedule and such I finally felt that I had a plan.

As I look around, I notice everyone had a device or two and that there were meetings on the floor around outlets.  It was kinda cool.  It was almost like the Religious Education Congress without priests, and liturgies.  I hung out and waited for the keynote address to begin.  It was a great talk given by the founder of Girls Who Code. 

The exhibit hall opened and it was neat to walk around and collext some ideas.

I chatted with a teacher about the use of Twitter in the classroom, which I was reticent about but now I get it.  I'll be sharing those thoughts with the faculty

It took me quite a while to get home because I kept getting on the wrong trolly.  When I finally got to my hotel, I decided to go to the Universal City Walk for dinner.  I did an d it was yummy and nice to at least lay eyes on Univerasal Studios in Orlando.  I'm going to need to go back.

Tomorrow is an early morning becasue my first workshop is at 8:ooam. 

Looking forward to a great day tomororw.