Austin hosted the 29th Annual Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Convention and Exposition February 2-6, 2009. This was my first time to attend the convention. The convention provided over 200 sessions on a wide range of topics. As usual when attending educational conferences, the wealth of ideas exchanged created information overload but I'm excited about implementing some select ideas in my class this spring.
I previewed Camtasia Studio 6 by TechSmith, and plan to secure a copy to help in developing a wide range of media for use by my students. Camtasia does it all and is very easy to use delivering HD quality in small file sizes. Two existing production presets (blog and web) and three new presets (YouTube, HD display, and Screencast.com) which replaces FLV, make media delivery so easy. You can record your PC screen and create professional-looking videos that clearly demonstrate a process, a product, or an idea. Check it out at www.TechSmith.com/CamtasiaStudio.
Additionally I picked up some valuable tips to use with my SMARTboard that incorporates Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) methods to use with my ESL students. I know these will help them be more successful.
I learned of some free Podcast utilities. Check out Audacity, Podcast Generator, Photostory3 and CamStudio.
I discovered some excellent science education websites. Take a look at ScienceNetLinks.com and Edheads.org.
Also worth mentioning was a presentation by Patrick Crispen of California State University, Longbeach. Accessibility 101: Cutting Through the FUD presented how the content you and your students create and post to the web can be accessed by people with disabilities. See NetSquirrel.com for more information.
You can bet that I'll be back next year for the 30th annual TCEA Convention and Exposition. You should do your best to be there. It will certainly be worth your time and effort.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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