#Edtechchat focuses on Education Technology. Co-founder Tom Murray says #edtechchat "connects us professionally with inspiring educators from all over the world, all of who encourage us to be better every day for the children and families we serve.”
Welcome to #edtechchat! Please introduce yourself and share from where you’re joining us! Tonight we'll be discussing "Making the most of #edtech conferences."
A1 mostly around the state. Usually an unconference. Not one for big conferences anymore. I want authentic learning transmissions and not just a place for networking #EdTechChat
A1: Choice of conference depends on necessity of PD required. Next factor would be cost. Regional would be usually the first choice to support local teachers / Providers before National and International #edtechchat@s_bearden
A1: Distance and cost are big factors. I’d love to attend a number of conferences, but those factors are big players in any decision I make. #edtechchat
A1. Choosing conferences means time, money, subject & location. I pay for my own conferences which limits me - and during school year it's almost impossible to take off.
#edtechchat
A1: I try to choose conferences that are accessible and feasible with content that will help be grow as an educator. Sometimes I have to decide based on distance, date, and expense. #edtechchat
A1: locality & networking opportunity. I go if: my school will cover it, I won’t miss too many classes, topics are applicable to my school and/or I have something worthwhile to share. #edtechchat
Slow year for me for conferences - NSBA to present for @CoSN, @theatlis for my #PD, and then #ISTE becasue it is in my backyard - with a few edcamps hosted and attended in between #edtechchat
#edtechchat - Local/Regional and the occasional national conference. National conferences seem to be too expensive for what one learns. Local and regional can have the same punch for far cheaper.
Hi! Yes! This coming Fri & Sat I’ll be at the NWAIS Tech Summit, it’s an unconference format which I’m looking forward to experiencing. Hoping to share about my experience w/ & the research on feedback tools. #edtechchat
A1: Love attending conferences with some of my PLN. I always check in w/them to see if they are available. Feedback from other attendees is always good too!
#EdTechChat
A1: Joining late! Early elementary educator relocating from Maine to CA. Looking forward to an EdCamp in a few weeks. I'm finding that EdCamps are usually incredible and FREE! #edtechchat
A1 I would also add energy. Being away from school is time consuming. The writing of lesson plans, preparation for a Guest Teacher, and the follow up during the next day is taxing. #edtechchat#RealLifeEdu
A1: I attend #ATIA19 every year, and try to attend #ISTE19 when I can. Usually it is local or webinars. I have to pay for my own so I have to be picky! #edtechchat
I like to see what they are interested in and I might learn something. Plus it gives me time to hang out with them. Not like the throngs of people that follow @s_bearden#EdTechChat
#edtechchat Want tools on how T's & S's benefit from activities designed to bring ALL members of the classroom into community, creating a safe, equitable learning environment? FOLLOW @_coolclassroom & check out Carla Tantillo Philibert. CLICK: https://t.co/66AFEeMUMm for info
A2: I tweet @ my network to see who’s going, I preview the schedule and read up on upcoming topics/presenters, I ask my Ts what their most pressing problems are so I can look for possible solutions. #edtechchat
A2. I usually have a question or two I'm trying to get answered. I tend to look for sessions in advance that may answer it. I generally have an overall plan but most are flexible.
#edtechchat
A2 I look through the sessions to see what interests me. I look for sessions that my friends are doing to stalk them. I scout the best taco venues #EdTechChat
I do lots of webinars for the day job, but I love going to woodowrking shows, Dog shows, and a few other "side" interests that always shed a new light on the day job! #edtechchat
A2: Making sure I have chosen the right breakout sessions ! Ensure I try and meet new people and make connections at a conference, and try unplug , take notes using a diary #edtechchat@s_bearden@ajpodchaski
A2: Before a conference I explore related websites and social media accounts. I try to get as many details, so I can hit the ground running. Some conferences have programs released in advance which really helps. #edtechchat
before hitting the conference it is important to preview the sessions ... put together a schedule ... find out who is going to be there so you can do some face to face meet ups. #edtechchat
A2 I always like to preplan the sessions based on topic and presenter. I also like to know ahead of time when a session is sponsored. I find it's important to have sessions that are "Plan B" in case any are full. #edtechchat
A2: I always research the breakout sessions and try to schedule every minute, with backups just in case the session is too full or not what I thought it would be. #edtechchat
A2 In preparing for a conference I look at the schedule, connect with any colleagues who might be going along to coordinate sessions, and set up my notability pages to share with colleagues upon my return. #edtechchat
To make the most of #Edtech conferences: Attend sessions, hang out in blogging cafes. Eat meals to connect, learn & share with others. Visit the Exhibit Hall & talk to vendors . Follow the hashtags like #FETC#ISTE Our Conferences page https://t.co/04U2Tyhplo#edtechchat
A2 I check with my friends/PLN to see if they are presenting, and make time for F2F as much as possible, best part is the time to learn in the same space together, and I focus on topics that I want to teach my Ss more #edtechchat
It is actually the first one I am missing in a long time - maybe since I started going - definitely since #CETL - I have always made at least one day! #sad#edtechchat
I really like that you set up Notability pages to share with colleagues when you return. Smart. The effect of a conference gets multiplied when you share what you learned. #edtechchat
A2: I'm often presenting so I always make sure I have my DONGLE! Haha! Seriously though, I connect with my network, have a game plan, and a pocket full of business cards! #Edtechchat
A2 I always like to preplan the sessions based on topic and presenter. I also like to know ahead of time when a session is sponsored. I find it's important to have sessions that are "Plan B" in case any are full. #edtechchat
A2: I try to follow the hashtag for the conference - and definitely look for the press releases from vendors depending on which conference it is #edtechchat
Sometimes what happens AFTER the sessions at conferences is the most valuable - those conversations that happen spontaneously and the connections you make are priceless. That's why I prefer local conferences.
In reply to
@ajpodchaski, @s_bearden, @EileenBelastock, @CoSN
This is so true - do what you can to be the person who lingers and talks to people - join the meetups and gatherings - be social - it can change you career! #edtechchat
Sometimes what happens AFTER the sessions at conferences is the most valuable - those conversations that happen spontaneously and the connections you make are priceless. That's why I prefer local conferences.
In reply to
@ajpodchaski, @s_bearden, @EileenBelastock, @CoSN
A3: Follow the hashtags for the event, when you see something you want to know more about...ask the attendee via twitter. I had a guy from England tweet me about something I had posted last week from #AlexaConf19#edtechchat
A3: looking up the presenters independently, following the #, using the conference theme as a “lens” for researching new practices and tools. #edtechchat
I attend conferences because I am excited to learn & grow as an edu. If my learning can benefit others I am happy to share. The notes act as a catalyst for conversations during team or faculty mtgs. They are also an invitation for others to share their resources w me. #edtechchat
A3: Follow up conference briefings, notes shared on their website maybe, Twitter feed of course is one the easier ones but you can get lost in it as people tweet random stuff. Look up presenters and see what and when they tweet about #edtechchat
No - seriously - I'll build and share - just looking for ideas of what would be useful - #edtechchat tries for a meetup at major conferences we attend - especially during the chat time!
A3: I go through the conference website and click on presentation resources to see what I couldn’t see live plus review twitter conference hashtags #edtechchat
I met more people by sitting on the floor sewing puppets than any session. Between sessions bring something to work in that interests you. Others will ask question and build bonds. #edtechchat
A4: Get out and be social - go to gatherings - talk to people and presenters before and after sessions - don't make a remote conference like a sit-n-get PD session - be interactive! #edtechchat
A4 I ask them via twitter if we could meet sometimes. For me, the social is nice but I'm there to learn and those connections are to help me do that. They often become a connection for forward needs as well. #edtechchat
A4 I'm an introvert masquerading as an extrovert. Thankfully teaching & learning takes center stage so talking about the keynote, sharing resources, and asking questions help me connect. #edtechchat
A4: I usually carry my favorite #edtech resources which become a good talking point. Its important to make physical face to face connections at conferences which can then be carried on via Twitter etc. Lunch queue is a great place to meet new people #edtechchat
A4 I connect with others by having them tell me what they are having trouble with and help them solve it. Relationships start by building trust and find common activity interests #EdTEchchat
A4: After conferences are done, I make time to create a priority list of who to follow-up with, lessons to try and ideas to share out to colleagues in district. There's always so much to week through. Thank goodness for @GoogleKeep and @evernote#edtechchat
A4: Be proactive before the conference, announce on social media you will be attending, connect with other attendees before the conference, get contact information to stay connected #edtechchat
A4: Save contact info (either business cards or notes written in a notebook!) and set aside an hour the week I get back for intentional reach outs. If there is no follow up, it's a wasted connection. #edtechchat
A4: I make a point of being social and follow up with people via twitter, etc as soon as possible after the conference. It's too easy to loose touch. #EdTechChat
A4: Save contact info (either business cards or notes written in a notebook!) and set aside an hour the week I get back for intentional reach outs. If there is no follow up, it's a wasted connection. #edtechchat
A4: My grad school program tries to have a meetup at #atia19 which is great. I also go to the #atchat live in the hotel to meet the people who are part of the weekly chat. I am an introvert so putting myself out there is hard! #edtechchat
A4 Share my schedule, talk within my @voxer groups, #my53s and #4OCFPLN and make time to meet up, spend time in bloggers cafe, go to the coffee edu and meetups, and they stay connected thru Twitter or voxer #EdTechChat
A4 I make 3D printed badges for where I go and hand them out. I am a huge believer in physical badging of learning. I have had people seek me out at conferences for a badge. Gets me into places that I usually don’t have the cred to go #EdTechChat
A4: I'm an extrovert (probably bug ppl), but I usually try and talk and connect w/peeps in my sessions, at the playgrounds, lunch, etc. I try to attend social events too!
#edtechchat
I'm going to be speaking at a Tech Inclusion conference this year, that's a bit outside my usual talks on statistics, programming & math ed #edtechchat
A5: I usually pick at least one new resource and really apply it. I think another way to insure you are putting things into practice is to share w/fellow educators
#edtechchat
A5 Come back with a plan but don't try to to do everything you learned. Tuck some away for later or to learn more about. I literally make sure I do SOMETHING with what I learned the very next week. It shows worth to my school and proves worth to me. Action needed! #edtechchat
A5: Try and make notes at conference, then connect those notes with upcoming events and think of ways to link them up. Any big concept idea I have grabbed, I would usually print out big and put up on my pinboard #edtechchat
A4: tag & interact via social media to keep conversations going. Also love going to evening social events to connect after long day of sessions #edtechchat
A5 One of the benefits of sharing notes with colleagues is that it keeps new learning in conversation rather than in the notebook. Great conferences also allow time for edus to iterate. I come back with ideas AND lessons ready to go. #edtechchat
A5: I have a running list of TODOs from every conference and set a deadline for them. “Date - Share/read/try X with Y.” I make myself process all the ideas over the course of the following weeks and keep the ones that stick. #edtechchat
A5 Share! Telling others about what you learned keeps it fresh in your brain and working collaboratively keeps you accountable. Our #techtraining team implemented #techortreat, an idea I heard at ISTE. #edtechchat (sorry for joining late -running errands)
A5: Conferences, like Ed Twitter, can be overwhelming in the amount of info and ideas we take home. I like to read over my notes and choose 1-3 items that I'd like to implement. Then, list what action(s) I can take NOW to make them a reality. #EdTechChat
A5: After I attend a conference I prioritize new ideas and try to implement something the very next day! I also put reminders in my calendar for the future so I'll remember to revisit important ideas. #EdTechChat
A5 most of the time I look for twists to what I am currently doing. Makes it easy to apply. It is harder to apply something that is not close to what you are doing #EdTEchchat
This is a good point! It's easy to be so overwhelmed with good ideas that you don't implement anything. Just focus on implementing well one or two things you learn at a conference. #edtechchat
A5: I have a similar process - have my TODO list timeline. Make sure I follow through with what I've learned from our vendors and share out the most relevant info that impacts instruction to our teachers. #edtechchat
A4: There have been some educators that really inspired me in their sessions & I love it when I discover they’ve written a book bc I can refer to it when needed #EdTEchchat
A5: I usually make a "priority list" of the top 3-5 things I want to really dive deeper into during the school year, then have a "summer list" for when I have more time to explore #edtechchat
A5. Implementing is HARD. Sometimes you're blasted by the info. I came back from #GaETC and immediately shared with faculty a couple of things I learned. Worked!
#edtechchat
I also find that it's really important to keep the info you've learned at sessions well organized. You just KNOW there's going to be a time when you need to find the name of that admin, product, website, etc. sometime in the near future! #edtechchat
This spreadsheet will only work as well as we share it - so please do!
The #edtechchat tweeps 2019 conference meetup organizer - https://t.co/1Pj0taTMdx - share where you are going so we can all meet F2F and coordinate meetups!
I also find that it's really important to keep the info you've learned at sessions well organized. You just KNOW there's going to be a time when you need to find the name of that admin, product, website, etc. sometime in the near future! #edtechchat
This spreadsheet will only work as well as we share it - so please do!
The #edtechchat tweeps 2019 conference meetup organizer - https://t.co/1Pj0taTMdx - share where you are going so we can all meet F2F and coordinate meetups!
A6: Determine what vendors you are interested in visiting and plan a time to visit them in the exhibition hall. At large conferences, the exhibit hall can be overwhelming. #edtechchat
A6 I like walking w/some of my PLN. My friend @apsitjen knows EVERYONE and I usually walk away with some nice swag. They can be overwhelming. Maybe take one row at a time and then leave the area.
#EdTechChat
A6: Reserve time! I do like to wander more than be strategic in the exhibit hall so carving out exhibit time as though it is its own session is helpful for me #EdTEchchat
A6: I always try to stay focused at the exhibit hall. Make my list of vendors that I: 1) Must visit 2) Would like to chat with and 3) if you have time to lollygag...wander over #edtechchat
This spreadsheet will only work as well as we share it - so please do!
The #edtechchat tweeps 2019 conference meetup organizer - https://t.co/1Pj0taTMdx - share where you are going so we can all meet F2F and coordinate meetups!
A6. Look for things I can use - and know that there are some fascinating things that I can't buy or judge. Outside my area. Wandering with friends is much better than alone.
#edtechchat
A5: Setting goals and making Jen public, hosting a lunch-n-learn upon return, telling others about plans, and co-planning are great ways to ensure you use what you learn. #edtechchat
A6: I always try to stay focused at the exhibit hall. Make my list of vendors that I: 1) Must visit 2) Would like to chat with and 3) if you have time to lollygag...wander over #edtechchat
A6: I like to wear my @Go2Science t-shirt to make it easier be found and remembered as I wander. I like the products but LOVE to see what other people are into. Great way to start more conversations! #EdTechChat
I have plenty more to add - just wanted to get it up and running - there are a whole bunch of specific things like ASCD, and independes schools have a bunch NBOA, NAIS, MISBO, ATLIS #edtechchat
#edtechchat conference tip: If you let a vendor scan your badge, you are going to get email from them. So allow your badge to be scanned judiciously...or else you will be overwhelmed with email! #edtechchat
Conference swag is awesome for prizes for my teachers or if I do a workshop. (A surprising number of my teachers do not go to conferences, so they love any swag.) #edtechchat
A6: I try not to collect all the bits of paper provided by exhibitors, but just take a picture of the stall / product of the useful ones and make notes on my phone. This way I don't get lost in all the paper that comes home after a conference #edtechchat
Do it early. Find a time slot where there is little else interesting. Then hustle through, looking for the must stops. Early in the day can be good as it may be less crowded. #edtechchat
