Upstate Technology Conference 2010 Recap

Last week I attended the Upstate Technology Conference 2010 and enjoyed it. It is a free tech conference that I really believe local teachers should take advantage of because of all that they have to offer. I usually like to present every other year so that every other year I can enjoy learning as well as sharing. This was my year to learn and next year I will send in a proposal to present. I also enjoyed seeing old friends that I haven’t seen in awhile as well as seeing my online friends face to face.

I would like to share some information that I picked up as well as links that were shared that I found worth checking out. So let the fun begin:

I learned how to use Movie Maker and Photostory. Now I can’t wait to see how I can use them in the classroom.

I also learned that I need a remote presenter when I’m presenting so I don’t have to stand right by my computer to change slides. I ordered one yesterday from Amazon for $40.

Fran Bullington’s Using Personal Home Pages to Organize Your Online Life

Heather Loy’s Evernote Presentation Materials

Cathy Jo Nelson’s Using Dropbox

Clean Up by Steven Gould which cleans up the temp files on your computer

Eusing Free Registry Cleaner – “free registry repair software that allows you to safely clean and repair registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks”

Malwarebytes - is a site dedicated to fighting malware. Malwarebytes has developed a variety of tools that can identify and remove malicious software from your computer. When your computer becomes infected, Malwarebytes can provide the needed assistance to remove the infection and restore the machine back to optimum performance.

HueHd webcam – which can be used as a document camera. You can get it on Amazon for abou $20

Purple Math - Helping students gain understanding and self-confidence in algebra

Spelling City – online spelling program, including teaching, tutoring, and games

Discus – South Carolina’s virtual library

Current Codes – promo codes for different online stores

Writing Fix - interactive prompts, lessons, and resources for writing classrooms

I look forward to next year’s conference! Now I have think of what presentation I can do. You can also read about Heather’s reflections on UTC from her point of view at Upstate Technology Conference (UTC) 2010 Reflections, Part 1 from Tech Tips & Timely Tidbits.

Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).

Original image: Upstate Technology Conference 2010

Upstate Technology Conference 2010 Day Two

Today is the second day of the Upstate Technology Conference in Greenville, SC. If you have never attended this before and you live locally or don’t mind traveling, this is a conference that you don’t want to miss. There are not many conferences that are free and is actually useful so that is what makes this one so great.

Here are some of the sessions that I’m interested in attending today:

“Free Software and Cool Hardware

Looking for free software? See previewsof tons of software that is free for educators

There's An App for That: Using Web Apps to Organize, Simplify, and Enrich Your Life
Come learn about web applications and 2.0 tools that help educators both streamline and enhance their professional (and personal) lives. See real examples and learn tricks and tips as Cathy, Heather, and Fran take attendees through a tool showcase (including Zamzar, Evernote, Dropbox, and iGoogle). Leave equipped to "organize, simplify, and enrich" your life knowing "there's an app for that!"

Troubleshooting Technology in the Classroom

Learn some basic troubleshooting techniques that can help out in everyday classroom life when your printer fails, laptop doesn't power on, spyware & more!”

I will share my notes when I get back! Have a great day!

Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).

Original image: Upstate Technology Conference

Upstate Technology Conference 2010 Day One

Today begins the Upstate Technology Conference in Greenville, SC. I’m so excited because every year I come back with so much information that is useful. I also love connecting with so many people that I talk to all year long so this almost feels like a reunion!

Here are some of the sessions that I’m interested in:

“Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker is free editing software that is already preloaded on most computers. In this workshop you’ll learn how to edit StreamlineSC video clips, including importing video and pictures, adding special effects, text and music.

Don't read to me - A presentation on presentations - version 2.0
This is a totally updated look at how to design great presentations that leave your audiences craving more. Learn how to apply cutting edge research into presentation design and make great presentations that audiences will love.

Assistive technologies for those who learn differently
As part of the consideration of education's rapidly changing, technology-intensive world, Mary will provide: information on new assistive technologies that can help students in the learning process; examples of integration of technology into the classroom; and a list of available assistive technology products. AT addresses student issues of organization and memory, writing, reading, listening and math. About Mary: Mary has presented at several conferences including The Academy of Orton Gillingham Fellows annual conferences, SC Associations of School Librarians state conferences, SC Association of Independent Schools Teachers’ conference, and SC Branch of International Dyslexia Association’s fall conference. She has a BA in education from the University of Kentucky, an MLIS from the University of SC, an M.Ed. in Technology from Lesley University and is designated a SCISA Master Teacher. She has been the librarian / media specialist at Trident Academy in Mount Pleasant for the last nine years where she is piloting an assistive technology program.

Photo Story, Audacity, and Picnik... Oh My!
Bring digital images and audio to life with these three free applications! Photo Story (an easy to use presentation tool), Audacity (a free-cross-platform sound editor), and Picnik (a free online photo editing program) are easy and FREE resources to help you create eye-catching and powerful presentations and lessons like a pro. “

I will share my notes when I get back! Have a great day!

Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).

Original image: Upstate Technology Conference