Sunday, November 13, 2011

Getting Ready for FETC 2012

FETC 2012
For the first time I was able to register during the "early bird" discount period for the upcoming FETC, held in Orlando on January 24-26, 2012. I always enjoy my time at FETC, as it focuses on educational technology. I enjoy using the tech tools that kids of today have grown up with, and I find that today's kids take for granted some of the tools we adults must learn to use.


This Blog Created Last Year for FETC 2011
Last year, my principal Bob Ziegler (LAA President) asked me to host a Lutheran Administrator's Association sponsored gathering during the evenings of FETC. Following the two days of keynotes and sessions, several Lutheran educators from the Florida-Georgia District met at a local motel lounge to debrief, share ideas, and to discuss future meetings of this kind. We also created this blog site and shared our session notes via the entries you find here. Some of the sessions were recorded using an iPod Touch, and those recordings are also available here.


This Year's Gatherings
This year, we're stepping it up a notch and trying to get the word out early. Following the Tuesday keynote and Exhibit Hall Grand Opening (which ends at 7 PM), walk across the street to the Rosen Centre lounge and meet up with several Lutheran educators who are attending FETC along with you. Put some of the District's ed-tech faces together with the names you may know as we spend a little bit of debriefing time together. Like last year, "the first Lutheran beverage is on the District!" Look for me, Paul Schwan. I'll be your host. On Wednesday, we'll meet following the final session (Concurrent Session 5), which ends at 5:25 pm. Again, it's just a walk across the street to the Rosen Centre. We'll plan to meet in the Lobby Lounge. This Google map should help.


My Contact Info
To contact me, send an email to fetcflga -at- gmail.com. I'll then reply with my cell number so you can call or text to get connected with the group.


Send Session Notes and/or Audio Recordings
If you send your FETC session notes and/or audio recordings to this same email address, I'll get them posted for you on this shared blog site for others to enjoy. If you're able to capture some audio recordings, since they're often too large to email, use this website to upload to my Dropbox account. I'll get them posted for you. Again, email me with your name and school and I'll send you the required password so you can post to this Dropbox address. I use it for my students, who turn in their work electronically via Dropbox. 


Why We're Doing This
That's the point of this project: to share with others in the Florida-Georgia District, including those who are unable to attend FETC, so that the many sessions are available to all of us.