Update from Yesterday's Workshops

Thanks again to everyone that came to one or more of my workshops at AETC. I have made the revisions I needed on the "Data That Matters" spreadsheet. It is ready for you to download and use. You can click here to go to the Free Reources page on my blog, 

I have removed the password from New Alabama Graduation Rate Calculator. Just below it on the Free Sources page, you will see the "New Alabama Graduation Rate Help Document." It will serve as a guide for how to use the calculator.

The End of Paper Forms

For readers on Alabama, you are invited to join me on July 10th at the Alabama Educational Technology Conference. Among the four sessions I will be presenting that day is one I am premiering entitled "The End of Paper Forms." Here is a look at what you will learn:



In addition, we will be giving away a copy of one of my books at each of the four sessions. Hope to see you there!

Workshop Comments from Virtual AETC

In the last post, we talked about what workshop participants from Virtual AETC would do with an extra hour. In this post, you can read comments from the workshop as keyed into the comment box by participants:

• This is great. Motivates me to get organized!!
• So true!
• Sheer panic
• I've had teachers learn this lesson the hard way!!
• Learned the hard way
• It only takes one time to lose your data til you come up with a backup system.
• I learned when I lost a 27 page (in the works) research paper...thank goodness for Norton Recovery
• I have a couple of flash drives because I have lost my backup system before.
• Don't forget your pictures.
• This is exactly what i need
• This is what I need!
• Wow is right!
• Too cool! I always enjoy your presentations
• I always enjoy them, too
• Good presentation and information.
• Thanks so much! Very informative!
• Great for people like me who forget everything
• I love this! Exactly what I need!
• Great tool!!!!!
• Definitely!!!!!
• Great
• Great Presentation...Thank you
• I always enjoy your workshops. Great information.
• Thank you so much! Great presentation!
• Thanks so much- I have sessions from you before and as always get very useful information
• I ALWAYS learn new STUFF in your sessions! Thanks
• Great workshop
• Great ideas...thanks!!
• This session SOOOO informative!!!!

It's always a pleasure to present to people who are hungry for easier ways to navigate life. This year's Virtual AETC was my first experience with presenting via the computer. I learned a lot along the way, and for me, learning something new every day is important.

Virtual AETC Sessions Archived

The sessions from Virtual AETC have now been posted so that anyone who missed a session can view the archives. It is my understanding that they will be available for the remainder of the month.

You can view and listen to the my sessions by going to each of the following links:

Your Own Blog in 10 Minutes of Less
Managing Digital Data With Ease

These sessions are presented through Elluminate. You may be prompted to do some downloading of software one time.

Virtual AETC

Virtual AETC is just around the corner. Registration will be done on through STIPD. After logging in, search the PD Catalog for VAETC. You will see a list of all of the sessions being offered, and you can sign up for those you like.

I am conducting two sessions:

Managing Digital Data With Ease (VAETC09002) June 12 11:00-12:00

Your Own Blog in 10 Minutes or Less (VAETC09003) June 8 11:00-12:00

After registering, you will receive this e-mail message:

“Congratulations! You have successfully registered for a session in Virtual AETC. First, copy down your STIPD session number/title. Then, go to the following link and create a login to Moodle using your correct name (http://v-aetc.alsde.edu). If you are registering for more than one session, you will only need one login to Moodle. Save your Moodle username and password and use them to access your sessions. Once logged into Moodle, you may find technical requirements, help files, and session links listed within Moodle. For help on registering in Moodle, download the following file: http://ti.alsde.edu/aetc/sitepages/documents/Enrollment%20Instructions%20for%20Moodle.doc Please create your Moodle login as soon as you register so that you won’t be delayed getting into your sessions.”

Those outside of Alabama can register as well:

1. Go to the following link and create a login to Moodle using your correct name (http://v-aetc.alsde.edu).
2. Use this help file to create the Moodle login: http://ti.alsde.edu/aetc/sitepages/documents/Enrollment%20Instructions%20for%20Moodle.doc
3. Save your Moodle username and password and use them to access your sessions.
4. Once logged into Moodle, you may find technical requirements, help files, and session links listed within Moodle.
5. The links will be active on the day of the session.

When Life Hands You a Lemon...

Tough times have hit us all in a variety of ways. The cancellation of the Alabama Educational Technology Conference is one example. It's an event I look forward to every year both in terms of what I learn and what I can share with others.

As a wise man once said, "The worst things are never the last things," and a recent letter hammered that point home. The plan is for AETC to go ahead, but as a Virtual AETC. Sessions will be be offered through such means as Elluminate.

I have been on the receiving end of Elluminate sessions, but never on the presenting end. It's an opportunity for growth. It's an opportunity to take something I know nothing about and turn it into a way to reach people I might never see in person. When I read Don Marchant's letter inviting those of us who have been regular presenters to step out of our comfort zones and step on to a plane that we are going to be building as we fly it, I immediately fired off an e-mail saying, "Count me in."

It looks like I have a learning curve ahead of me. To be honest, I am at my best when the goal seems to be just a little beyond my grasp. I am the happiest when I am learning. Frankly, with all of the balls I have in the air right now, I really don't have the time to tackle something like this. But, for this one, I am going to make the time.

Virtual AETC is slated for June 8-12. The plan is that it will be free! For those who have resisted going to AETC because the drive was too far, that excuse has been removed. For those who always seem to be out of town during the event, that excuse is gone. The event is wherever you are. For those who have resisted because filling out the paperwork to get professional development funding, that excuse is gone.

Yes, we are building the plane as we are flying it, so if you are looking for all of the information in one nice neat package, forget it. The package will probably change daily. In situations like this, a blog is the most efficient way to get the news out as it is happening, and the best way to get feedback from all of us. AETC has established such a blog to keep us abreast of developments. I have added it to my Google Reader. You can go to the AETC blog by clicking here.

Tough times are throwing us some lemons. Maybe it's time to make a little lemonade.

When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and you are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.
—Barbara J. Winter

AETC

Thanks to everyone who participated in one of my sessions during these last two days. It was especially good to see so many who came to more than one.

I hope that you will visit here often. Feel free to leave comments and ask questions. As you read through the posts, you will find more detailed information about some of the topics I covered. An explanation of how to set up an iGoogle homepage and a video on del.icio.us are just two examples of the what you will find.

AETC Keynote

You can be among the first to know that the keynote speaker for this summer’s Alabama Education Technology Conference with be Dr. Tim Tyson. Dr. Tyson was the closing keynote for the National Educational Computing Conference this past summer. To see and hear that keynote address, go here. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Closing Keynote.” The first 10 minutes consist of introductions, so just be patient and have some reading material handy. It’s going to be worth it. The address centers around the projects done by middle school students.

Thanks for a great response!

The last couple of days have been a great experience for me. Thanks to those who came to the Outlook session, the blogging session, or the "It's About Time" session. It's good to hear from you that the message of using technology to make your life easier is one that is needed, and the things we are talking about are practical and doable.

I also want to thank The Daily Home, and in particular staff writer Samantha Corona, for the coverage they gave to my receiving the Chiquita Marbury Technology Innovation Award. The morning following the awards ceremony, this article appeared on the front page. This morning, The Daily Home included this editorial. I have been saying for a number of years that newspapers are eager to print the good that is happening in schools; however, we must take the initiative to keep them informed. Samantha and the entire staff serve as examples of writers who help us put our best foot forward.