by I’ll be in Philadelphia from June 26-30th for the annual ISTE (formerly NECC) Conference. I have presented at all but one of these conferences since 1987 (also in Philadelphia). Over those 24 conferences, I’ve presented somewhere between 50 and 75 presentations and workshops. Being part of the keynote event at the 2009 NECC remains one of the highlights of my career.
Many of you know that I have been critical of the ISTE Conference program over the years and find the exhibit hall to be a vulgar distraction, but I would not miss it for anything. Why? Because I have dedicated 29 years of my life to using computers in ways that amplify the human potential of each child and this conference is the largest event in the field I love
ISTE is always an exhausting whirlwind. Please stop by one of the following sessions and say, “hi!”
The 5th Annual Constructivist Celebration
June 26, 2011 – 8:30 – 3:30 PM
Maggiano’s Little Italy
For the fifth consecutive year, this day-long workshop combines fun, creativity and computing. For a very reasonable $60, you will receive free creativity software worth hundreds of dollars from the world’s best school software companies, breakfast, snacks and lunch, and a full-day workshop led by Gary Stager and other members of the Constructivist Consortium. It’s always a sell-out, but right now there are still a few spaces left to join in the fun, so register today – you won’t regret it!
At the end of the day, Sylvia Martinez of Generation YES moderate a conversation between Will Richardson (author and king of the edubloggers) and Gary Stager on “Digging Deeper” which is sure to be fun and thought-provoking.
SPOTLIGHT: The Best Educational Ideas in the World: High-Tech Learning Adventures
Tuesday, 6/28/2011, 2:00pm–3:00pm PACC 103BC
Gary Stager, The Constructivist Consortium
Join us on a tour of the best education ideas in the world! Lessons learned en route create the productive knowledge construction contexts required for a rewarding life. This presentation is a sneak peek at a forthcoming book from Jossey-Bass/Wiley.
The Fix Is In: Social Mobilization and School Reform (Model lesson)
Wednesday, 6/29/2011, 10:15am–11:15am PACC 119B
Carl Anderson, East Metro Integration District 6067 with Scott Schwister and Gary Stager
Citizen journalism is a growing phenomena empowered by Web 2.0 technologies. Learn how to use it in your classroom to empower students.
SPOTLIGHT: LOL@ISTE: Unlocking Your Potential to Laugh
Wednesday, 6/29/2011, 11:45am–12:45pm PACC 201BC
Saul Rockman, Michael Jay, Roger Wagner and Gary Stager
The usual collection of punsters, jokesters, storytellers, and really terrible singers strives to explain why technology is so important in education and life. Recommended by ISTE’s SIGGS
SIGTC Forum: So You Want an iPad? K-20 Implications and Integration
Tuesday, 6/28/2011, 10:30am–12:30pm PACC 103A
Camilla Gagliolo, Arlington Public Schools, and Craig Nansen, Minot Public Schools and Gary Stager will speak. Recommended by ISTE’s SIGTC
This PDF contains a schedule of sessions addressing creativity and computing by friends of The Constructivist Consortium.
Veteran educator Gary Stager, Ph.D. is the author of Twenty Things to Do with a Computer – Forward 50, co-author of Invent To Learn — Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom, publisher at Constructing Modern Knowledge Press, and the founder of the Constructing Modern Knowledge summer institute. He led professional development in the world’s first 1:1 laptop schools thirty years ago and designed one of the oldest online graduate school programs. Gary is also the curator of The Seymour Papert archives at DailyPapert.com. Learn more about Gary here.