Lunch with a "Veteran"

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Wednesday Lunch I got my first chance to do more than say "hi" with someone most of you already knew.

I had the privilege of having lunch with ICE veteran Miss Judy Satkiewicz, who has been a member of ICE for almost 20 years. She has served in a number of roles, with a variety of conference and other committees. These days she's wearing the mantle of President.

What I learned? She thinks the work she does for ICE is payback for what she's gotten from ICE... like her first technology job. Don't take my word for it, ask her. She's a nice lady. Not a member yet? Bet she can help with that too.

Call for Photographers!

Alright, you're coming to IL-TCE 2007, you have your digital camera close at hand and you're taking pictures like crazy to help you remember the experience. Now you have an opportunity to share those memories with other conference attendees, presenters and exhibitors. Join the IL-TCE group on Flickr. All you need to do is register for a free account, upload your photos. Then join the IL-TCE group and send the photos to the group. It's that easy! If you would like an invitation to the group just send me an email (luke1946@yahoo.com) and I'll get it out to you.

Don't be afraid to jump into new things!

IL-TCE Day 1 - Workshops in Session

Day 1 of IL-TCE brought many educators to St. Charles for hands-on learning, collaborating and sharing!

Congrats to Pam Plumer for capturing this action shot on the first try during our "Thinking Outside the Camera!" workshop.

We had lots of fun discovering the settings on our cameras and exploring ways to use digital photography in the classroom.

Sometimes working with new technologies requires a "Leap of Faith." When you have like-minded educators to work with, you don't have to be afraid to jump into new things!

Volunteers Make it Possible

With the help of several volunteers and committee members, and after several of us received minor paper cuts, requiring band aids (Thanks Beth!), over 2500 tote bags were stuffed today with special flyers, the 2007 exhibitor guide and the 2007 conference brochure. These will be available to attendees starting at the Wednesday night Kick Off reception. Volunteers in their white and blue IL-TCE volunteer shirts will be available throughout the conference to help direct attendees and answer questions, and man the ICE survey stations. Consider getting involved and help make it all possible!

Things you can hear "on the street"

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Much of what is posted to this blog is, rightfully so, information on presenters and their tools and projects. There is another side to all conferences, the people side; the interactions and stories that help us get to know each other. In that vein, just a couple of quick notes:

From Sunday night: Sitting near the atrium, surrounded by young kids, in town for the weekend for a dance competition. One of them told us they didn't think they'd be going home for days, because of the snow. Luke told her that she should probably know that the hotel was about to be filled with several thousand teachers. She went running across the room shouting to her friends: "We have to get out here!!"

From Tuesday Morning: Dennis Durbin is one of the security guards who is watching our stuff overnights. You might say he has a special interest in this particular job. Mr. Durbin is a retired teacher from Richland. Three years ago he presented at the ICE conference.

WELCOME LETTER

Dear Conference Attendee:

Welcome to the 2007 Illinois Technology Conference for Educators: Thinking Outside The Box And Wires. We are sure that this year’s conference is going to be spectacular. Not only will it be filled with great presenters, presentations and information, but also we know that you will leave inspired to explore new ways of creating fun and exciting student educational experiences.

The Illinois Computer Educators (ICE), along with all of our corporate partners have made the Illinois Technology Conference for Educators (IL-TCE) one of the best and most respected educational technology conferences in the Midwest. We are excited to present this opportunity to obtain valuable educational content through hundreds of general sessions, well known keynote and spotlight speakers, two and a half days of workshops, an Administrators’ Leadership Institute, Administrator Academy workshops and a sold out vendor hall filled with the most high tech products and services. The conference is sure to appeal to everyone.

Be sure to attend Wednesday night’s Kick-Off Reception from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Pheasant Run, Expo Center! Enjoy appetizers, entertainment and a perfect chance to network with other educators throughout the state. You are sure to have fun while attending this exhibit-only event. Your conference badge is your entry ticket into the Kick-Off Reception.

Once more, we are very pleased and excited to have incredible keynote speakers. Please join us as we listen to New York Times columnist and Emmy award-winning technology correspondent for CBS News, David Pogue. Also speaking will be Dr. Jason Ohler, who is well known for the passion, insight and humor he brings to his presentations and writings. They will definitely entertain us as we learn about the latest trends in technology and education. As a special treat, we’ve added well known spotlight speakers Larry Anderson, Charlene Chaussis, Patrick Crispin, Vicki Dewitt, Adam Frey, Susan Silverman and Tim Wilson. We know you’ll enjoy their fantastic presentations on a wide variety of topics.

There is so much to do at IL-TCE ’07. You have an opportunity to learn from some of the best educators in our state. You also have a golden opportunity to meet and share ideas with other dedicated technology educators like you. We have put some of the best professional development experiences available into one conference.

As an added bonus this year, you will not only find many of the presentation materials on our conference website www.il-tce.org, but you will have the opportunity to share photos and thoughts through our Blog and Flickr sites. Additionally, you will be able to watch the Live Video events from the conference as well as listen to podcasts created at the show.

On behalf of the ILTCE Conference Committee and the Illinois Computing Educators’ Governing Board, and all of the volunteers who help make this conference a reality, we hope you enjoy IL-TCE ’07. Enjoy the conference, and get ready to start think outside of the box and wires! We hope you have an incredible time!

Sincerely,


Jordan Stephen, Conference Co-Chair
Director of Technology
East Prairie School District 73

Brian Engle, Conference Co-Chair
Director of Educational Technology
Glenview School District 34

Jason Ohler... Friday keynote speaker!

Be sure to check out Joe Brennan's post on the Discovery Educator's Network blog for Digital Storytelling... Jason Ohler, Digital Humanist!

Volunteer at IL-TCE!

Calling all volunteers! Receive free conference registration in exchange for your time. Click here for details and to fill out a volunteer application. Pass it on!