Every year, High Tech Hall at the NJEA Convention, grows bigger and more technologically advanced, but it never diverts from its basic mission: to help members use technology to improve student learning. Whether you have a quick question, need a complete tutorial, or just want to get acquainted to with professional development opportunities available on njea.org, drop in to see how the latest applications are being used in today’s classrooms and among today’s professionals.
Be sure to visit Hall B, where you’ll find two technology classrooms, the Technology Integration Showcase (now with overflow seating), a new e-Learning Academy Classroom, and the new NJEA EdCamp.
Tech Classrooms
In Classroom 1, teachers will demonstrate how they are using Thinkfinity.org to enhance their instruction. Thinkfinity.org is the Verizon Foundation’s comprehensive program and online portal to more than 55,000 standards-based, grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans and other educational resources.
In Classroom 2, more NJEA members will demonstrate how they use technology in the classroom. Topics include SMART™ Boards, Voicethread, Skype, online portfolios, shared bookmarks, drop.io, Audacity, and much more.
See your Convention Program for all topics, days, times, descriptions, and target audiences for these presentations. The technology classrooms are sponsored by the Verizon Foundation and Dell.
SMART™ Technology Integration Showcase
The Technology Integration Showcase, sponsored by the N.J. Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL) includes nearly 30 drop-in learning opportunities during the convention. Topics include podcasting and webcasting, creating class blogs and online magazines, using Google forms to create self-grading formative assessments, differentiating instruction for ELL students through technology, moviemaking in the classroom, online personal learning networks, and SMART™ board technology. See your Convention Program for all topics, descriptions, days, and times.
The two new features of High Tech Hall this year are the e-Learning Academy Classroom and the NJEA EdCamp.
The e-Learning Academy will allow convention-goers to take one or more of NJEA’s newly redesigned and expanded list of e-learning courses right in High Tech Hall. Remember that if you don’t finish the course you can save what you completed and return to it at another time from another computer!
An EdCamp is an open workshop whose content is provided by participants. In other words, the attendees are the presenters! The subject matter of the EdCamp is directly tied to the ideas that people bring to share with the community. The area will be equipped with a SMART™ board in case presenters would like to project their presentation.
Participants will create the EdCamp schedule by posting on wikispaces.com. Each day will be divided into 45-minute slots.
Enter to win
Want another great reason to go to High Tech Hall? Raffle prizes! Just drop by to register to win. Each day, an iPod touch, a Flip Video™ Camera, and a Dell and an Apple gift card will be given away. Winners need not be present.