From Steve Dembo’s sessions:

50 ways to spin a digital story   http://50ways.wikispaces.com/

Storytelling for the YouTube Generation     http://prezi.com/sefzj_jpnupp/storytelling-for-the-youtube-generation/

iThink iNeed iPads in the Classroom  http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1922908/iPads-TCEA.ppsx

General TCEA 2012 Handouts site:    http://www.tcea2012.org/2012/public/Content.aspx?sortMenu=102015&ID=1353

If you’ve got other links from TCEA (like others from Steve or those Hall Davidson presented)  please add in a comment!

“This award is presented to a teacher who exhibits exemplary use of technology in the classroom. The teacher recognizes and uses a wide variety of technology tools to enhance the learning of all students.”

Congratulations Andrea!

On another TCEA note: check the updated Iron DEN post for a picture of the winning team.

The Challenge: create a resource to introduce students to the water cycle

The Rules: 30 minutes to make it, then will share and vote on best

The secret ingredient: Camel’s Head image http://gtm-media.discoveryeducation.com/videos//imagelibrary/web//690F1114-FB29-31C4-3314FB2420B1AD45.jpg

The Results:

All -4-One : used blabberize  and  Discovery song: teacher and the RockBots

Spitting Camels: used Discovery Images, Discovery Science for script and PuppetPals (included uploaded pictures of team)

Rainey:  used Discovery items to put into a Glogster with Blabberize element

L is for Love:  used a storying app with Discovery images with Teacher and the Rockbots song

AND THE WINNERS:  Spitting Camels!!!

That is the theme for this years Texas Computer Education Association conference.

The keynote speaker for Wednesday was none other than Mythbusters  co-host Tory Belleci!  Some notes from his talk:

He is dyslexic and was not a good student.  So, yes teachers, don’t give up on those different and difficult students.  They can achieve also!  He graduated from HS, went to college and is not on TV.

He preferred to learn by doing rather than listening or reading. He also liked teachers who showed an enthusiasm and excitement for their subject.

He says Mythbusters didn’t set out to be a science show; it is entertainment that also teaches science and particularly the scientific method.

As teachers, he says, we have the ability to encourage or discourage our students.  Be the one who encourages and supports the student, even the seemly unlikely ones!

Dyslexics — getting information through sight,sound and doing helps; repetition;used videos to help learn and analyze a play

What conferences are your must go to?  How do you work travel?

TCEA is the awesome Texas Computer Education Association yearly convention.  I have had the privilege to attend the last two years.  This year I am only able to attend the Golden Apple TCEA Educator Awards on Tuesday evening.  To make the drive to Austin exciting, however, I will be staying on Wednesday also to check out all of the exhibits (and stop by and see Moby and BrainPop!) Oh.. I am also getting together a Flashmob for Wednesday!

Starting in January and February is when session proposals for summer conferences are opening up or due.  It is always amazing that for a conference to go off there is so much pre-planning.

Podstock is 165 days away!  This is my FAVORITE conference!  It is my home away from home for  2 days.  Great educators, great conversations, and great fun.  If you are looking for a conference that will inspire you and excite you, this is one that needs to go on your calendar!  Each year the theme is different.  This year the theme is 80′s! Last year the theme was 50′s diner.  There are so many extra things that go on with Podstock.  I even got us to do a Flashmob last year dressed in our 50′s clothes!

Being a special educator I am also an avid presenter and participant of  TATN. The Texas Assistive Technology Network Statewide Conference is a great place for special educators to connect with others.

As I pay for most of these conferences myself (or write grants to cover the cost of registration) I like the ideas behind EdCamps.  I am already hearing talk that there will be an EdCamp Dallas in October.

Of course, my dream conference this summer would be the Discovery Education Network Summer Institute!  Have you applied yet?  I have (and now am crossing fingers, toes, and eyes that I win the travel too)

I think that it is important to connect with other educators that are like minded.  I love technology conferences for this reason.  Some of my best friends do not live near me, but we count down the days until we can collaborate in person at a conference.  How do you connect?  What conference will you not be missing?

Several DEN members will be presenting throughout the convention and a list of those sessions, times and locations can be found at this URL: https://sites.google.com/site/texasdenlc/tcea-2012-speakers?pli=1.

Wednesday afternoon will be an IRON DEN Challenge with several of the Texas DEN Leadership Council Members competing in teams to see who can develop the best digital artifact in a pre-determined amount of time that represents a given topic. Stop by the Hilton in the corporate room, which is directly across the street from the convention center, for the challenge and cheer on your DEN team members!

Discovery will also have sessions in the corporate room at the Hilton Hotel so make sure you stop by throughout the three days of the convention as well. The corporate room location is:

Dates:                  Wednesday, February 8 – Friday, February 10, 2012
Times:                 See Google website
Location:            Hilton Hotel, Austin; Level 4 – Governor’s Ballroom, Salon B
500 East 4^th Street
Austin, Texas 78701

Another fun event is the DEN VIP reception held Wednesday evening that you can still register for the reception that will be held at Max’s Wine Drive from 5:30 – 7:30pm. You will have the opportunity to mingle with the DEN folks and meet Dave Salmoni, Discovery’s “Animal Planet” TV host at a VIP reception. Hor d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served and you can register at this link: http://discoveryeducationtcea2012.eventbrite.com/. This will be a lot of fun so be sure not to miss out!

I will also be live tweeting and posting pictures to Twitter/Facebook and sharing during TCEA for the DEN from the conference so stay tuned for those postings. See you next week!

Discovery Education will be in lots of places at TCEA – from the exhibit floor (booth #1551), to featured sessions from Hall and Steve, to our very own room at the Austin Hilton where we’ll be doing sessions all day, every day, and amazing presentations from our Discovery Educator Network STARs – below is a list of where to find us!  Keep scrolling – we’ve got a lot going on!

Discovery Education Featured Speakers and Workshop Sessions at TCEA

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Campus Leadership Academy
A combination of presenters to include, Hall Davidson
Location: Hilton Hotel, Level 4, Salon D

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
50 Ways to Spin a Digital Story
Presented by Steve Dembo
Location: Convention Center, Ballroom G

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Faster, Better, Shorter, Deeper: Editing and Capturing Video
Presented by Hall Davidson
Location: Convention Center, Ballroom F

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
iThink iNeed iPads in the Classroom
Presented by Steve Dembo
Location: Convention Center, Ballroom F

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Mashed Media:  Old media, New Web, and Your Own Great Stuff
Presented by Hall Davidson
Location: Convention Center, Room 12AB

Thursday, February 9, 2012

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Little Hands, Giant Reach
Presented by Steve Dembo
Location: Convention Center, Ballroom F

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Media and Moving the Earth: Technology and the Gifted Student
Presented by Hall Davidson
Location: Convention Center, Ballroom F

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Take a Page From the Perfect Digital Textbook
Presented by Hall Davidson
Location: Convention Center, Ballroom F

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Storytelling for the YouTube Generation
Presented by Steve Dembo
Location: Convention Center, Ballroom F

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
The New Kinds of Tools for New Kinds of Learners: Assess This!
Presented by Hall Davidson
Location: Convention Center, Room 8C

 Discovery Educator Network STAR Presenters

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
Create & Publish Student E-Books
Presented by Lea Anne Daughrity
Presentation ID: 121820

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Community in the Classroom
Presented by Elaine Plybon
Presentation ID: 121790

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Advanced Features of the SMART Board
Presented by Linda Rush
Presentation ID: 122235

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
“Touching” 21st Century STEM
Presented by Lea Anne Daughrity
Presentation ID: 121272

5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
“Check this Out!” (QR Codes)
Presented by Kim Caise
Presentation ID: 122240

Thursday, February 9, 2012

9:15 AM to 10:15 AM
Chillin’ on the Wild Side, Technology
Presented by Beth Weeks
Presentation ID: 122024

10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Resources for a Collaborative Classroom
Presented by Elaine Plybon and Dean Mantz (KS DEN GURU)
Presentation ID: 122073

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Cell Phones as Instructional Tools
Presented by Kim Caise
Presentation ID: 122692

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Student/ Teacher PLN’s in the 2.0 World
Presented by Kass Bates and Melanie Burford

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
iPhoto to iPad and Beyond
Presented by Linda Rush
Presentation ID: 122173

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
IT: Not Just for Teachers Anymore!
Presented by Joli Brock

3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
Using Social Media in the Classroom
Presented by Elaine Plybon
Presentation ID: 121528

Friday, February 10, 2012

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
The 5Es of Technology Integration!
Presented by Beth Weeks
Presentation ID: 122030

Discovery Education Corporate Room
Hilton Hotel, Austin; Level 4 – Governor’s Ballroom, Salon B
500 East 4th Street
Austin, Texas 78701

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Back to Basics: Discovery Education streaming 101, Presented by Joe Diaz
Get down and dirty with the basics of using Discovery Education streaming!  We’ll fill the gaps with helpful information on navigating, talk about the difference between streaming and downloading, and uncover some resources that you never knew you had!  This session is a great building block that prepares you to springboard to deeper integration.

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
50 Ways to Integrate Discovery Education, Presented by Joe Diaz
Did you know that Discovery Education streaming has videos, an interactive atlas, dynamic calendar, thousands of quiz questions, images, speeches, and sound effects?  This fast-pasted, energizing session will open your eyes to the possibilities of digital media and Discovery Education streaming in the classroom.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Unlimited Wireless: Discovery Education Science Techbook and Mobile Devices, Presented by Brad Fountain
Intrigued by the possibilities of iPads and smartphones in education? Wondering how these new tools might reshape the learning landscape of our schools? Learn how to use Discovery Education content to build lessons for students who can access the world from the palm of their hands.   Whether you are already using mobile devices or you see this as the future of education, this session will open your eyes to teaching in the portable world of your students.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Differentiated Instruction Made Simple with Discovery Education, Presented by Jason Altman
During this session we’ll explore a variety of ways to use web-based tools and digital media to enhance your instruction tomorrow!  We’ll learn how to use these tools to check for understanding and differentiate by content, process, and product. Along the way we’ll highlight the latest enhancements inside STREAMING and Assessment and explore how to assign materials and view results within the unified Classroom and Assignment Managers. Finally, we’ll demonstrate how easy all of these tools can be used to monitor student learning and provide effective instructional feedback!

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Connecting Language Learners to the Curriculum with Discovery Education, Presented by Lindsay Hopkins
With diverse classroom populations, your ability to differentiate feels more important than ever. In this session, explore Discovery Education through the lens of Language Learners and see how digital media and technology can engage and benefit students from all backgrounds.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Stand Back!!  We’re Using Discovery Education’s Science Techbook, Presented by Brad Fountain
Unless you want to Engage your students as they Explore science through digital media in conjunction with hands-on resources don’t bother attending this session.  We will Explain how digital media can change the way you teach science, Elaborate on how digital media can be utilized to meet the needs of every student, and Evaluate student progress through science concepts.

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
A 21st Century Lesson – Media Integration in Context, Presented by Lindsay Hopkins
What does the 21st century classroom look like?  Experience a model lesson that integrations Discovery Education resources, Web 2.0 tools, Interactive Presentations, and free Google tools.
You’ll never look at lesson planning the same way again.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Coast to Coast Collaboration with Discovery Education, Presented by Joe Diaz
Don’t let distance come between you and collaboration!  Whether it is across your school, your district, or the nation, learn how to close the distance with on-line collaboration tools.  Join this session and learn how to incorporate Discovery Education into a host of resources that will allow you to build lessons, deliver professional development, enhance presentations, connect classrooms, and more.  A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles, so let’s take the road less traveled!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
I Can Do That With PowerPoint?  Presented by    Lindsay Hopkins
We all know that the computer, projector and PowerPoint have replaced the old slide projector, but did you know that PowerPoint can also be combined with Discovery Education videos, sounds, images, and effects to create engaging multimedia presentations? During this session will explore the necessary (and not-so-scary) steps for integrating digital media with PowerPoint.

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
50 Ways to Integrate Discovery Education, Presented by Joe Diaz
Did you know that Discovery Education streaming has videos, an interactive atlas, dynamic calendar, thousands of quiz questions, images, speeches, and sound effects?  This fast-pasted, energizing session will open your eyes to the possibilities of digital media and Discovery Education streaming in the classroom.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Stand Back!!  We’re Using Discovery Education’s Science Techbook, Presented by Brad Fountain
Unless you want to Engage your students as they Explore science through digital media in conjunction with hands-on resources don’t bother attending this session.  We will Explain how digital media can change the way you teach science, Elaborate on how digital media can be utilized to meet the needs of every student, and Evaluate student progress through science concepts.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Differentiated Instruction Made Simple with Discovery Education, Presented by Jason Altman
During this session we’ll explore a variety of ways to use web-based tools and digital media to enhance your instruction tomorrow!  We’ll learn how to use these tools to check for understanding and differentiate by content, process, and product. Along the way we’ll highlight the latest enhancements inside STREAMING and Assessment and explore how to assign materials and view results within the unified Classroom and Assignment Managers. Finally, we’ll demonstrate how easy all of these tools can be used to monitor student learning and provide effective instructional feedback!

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
That Sounds Great! Discovery Education Audio in the Classroom, Presented by Lindsay Hopkins
From songs, sound effects, speeches, book readings, and world music, Discovery Education has thousands of audio files in its multi-media library. In this session, we’ll listen closely for uses of mp3s in the classroom. From project ideas to lesson planning, it is sure to be a platinum hit.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Unlimited Wireless: Discovery Education Science Techbook and Mobile Devices, Presented by Brad Fountain
Intrigued by the possibilities of iPads and smartphones in education? Wondering how these new tools might reshape the learning landscape of our schools? Learn how to use Discovery Education content to build lessons for students who can access the world from the palm of their hands.   Whether you are already using mobile devices or you see this as the future of education, this session will open your eyes to teaching in the portable world of your students.

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
Iron DEN Challenge, Presented by the Discovery Educator Network Texas Leadership Council
Come be part of a showdown of epic proportions!  We’ll explore Discovery Education and digital storytelling in this hands-on session that we call the Iron DEN Challenge.  Enter DEN Stadium and team-up with Discovery Educator Network STARS as we compete against the clock to create an original digital story using a variety of tools and Discovery Education content.  But beware of the secret ingredient…

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Weaving the Story of Learning: Digital Storytelling with Discovery Education STREAMING,
Presented by Joe Diaz
Constructing stories requires deep understanding not just of discreet facts and knowledge, but also of the rich context of that information. Join us for an exploration of the creative ways to engage students across the curriculum with digital storytelling and Discovery Education resources.

Friday, February 10, 2012

8:00 AM  – 9:00 AM
50 Ways to Integrate Discovery Education, Presented by Joe Diaz
Did you know that Discovery Education streaming has videos, an interactive atlas, dynamic calendar, thousands of quiz questions, images, speeches, and sound effects?  This fast-pasted, energizing session will open your eyes to the possibilities of digital media and Discovery Education streaming in the classroom.

9:15 AM -  10:15 AM
A 21st Century Lesson – Media Integration in Context, Presented by Lindsay Hopkins
What does the 21st century classroom look like?  Experience  a model lesson that integrations Discovery Education resources, Web 2.0 tools, Interactive Presentations, and free Google tools.  You’ll never look at lesson planning the same way again.

Hall Davidson and Steve Dembo are featured speakers with presentations during the day on Wednesday and Thursday.

Then our own Texas LC team is well represented with sessions by Lea Anne Daughrity, Elaine Plybon, Kim Chaise, Linda Rush, and Beth Weeks.

Discovery Education will also have a corporate room in Salon B on level 4 of the Hilton where sessions will be presented.

Lots to DISCOVER at TCEA;  join us for the learning fun!

For more information, go to:

https://sites.google.com/site/texasdenlc/tcea-2012-speakers

So you have a website with a lot of good information in it and you want to capture it on your iPad for students to view at any time.  Say hello to dotEpub!

The setup is fairly straightforward, but you do have to set it up on the iPad.  First, go to the website on the iPad, http://dotepub.com . Scroll down the page to “Bookmarklet for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad”.  Keep the check mark on EPUB format. Following their directions on this page, copy the javascript code in the box, create a new bookmark, and then paste the copied text into the bookmark.

Now that you have the dotepub bookmark on the iPad, all you need to do is go to the webpage you wish to make into a book and select the ePub bookmark you just made.  Your iPad gives you a page to choose how you want to open your ePub download.  I select ‘iBooks’ and find the website formatted as a book, ready to read.

There are directions on the dotepub website that shows how to do the same thing using most computer browsers as well.  Chrome has an extension that makes it just a little easier.  Not only can you make epub’s, but it will also do the same thing for the Mobi format for Kindles.

The downside is that it doesn’t bring over most website graphics. The text is pretty-well formatted, but there are usually no pictures. Also, with today’s Apple Computer announcement being highly projected as an ePub  announcement, the iPad use of ebooks may be radically changed.