Tag:

TCEA

Free TCEA Membership This Week

by Robert Bennett October 26, 2020

written by Robert Bennett

Using technology to create lasting learning has been the focus of TCEA for 40 years, and this year, you need all the support you can get. So we’re doing more than ever to connect educators and meet your needs.

To help give educators the tools, ideas, and community resources you need to succeed, you can join or renew your TCEA membership for free, for a full year, when you sign up this week.

To help support everyone during this time (and beyond), TCEA today is offering free, one-year membership in the organization. The free membership includes all of the online learning, resources, networking, and other features that can help you not only survive this scary time, but also thrive in it. The free membership is open to anyone, regardless of where you live or work; whether you are in a public school, private school, or home school; whether you are a teacher or administrator or librarian or counselor or technician or anyone working in education today; and whether you live in Texas or beyond.

It’s a great time to fall for TCEA — and join a cozy community of outstanding, engaged educators. We think of it like a warm blanket of resources, professional networking, and professional learning.

What You Get with Your Free TCEA Membership

Here are just a few of the benefits of joining our community of educators and lifelong learners:

The largest community-and-expert-developed resources for remote learning tools
A vibrant online TCEA Community with more than 33,000 active users
Weekly live and on-demand webinars created by and for educators
Three years of professional learning recordings, available on demand and when you want them immediately
80+ hours of annual, free CPE credit
Free SketchUp Pro software, a $495 value
Advocacy updates from the Texas Legislature to inform you of changes in educational policies
Free ebooks on innovative topics like makerspaces, digital icebreakers for collaboration, and transforming learning
And more

SIG-nificant Benefits

Plus, as a member, you can join any of our Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Each of these vibrant, peer-led groups help members explore topics and ideas they’re most interested and active in.

The SIGs include:

CAMP-SIG (for campus technology specialists, instructional coaches, and anyone who works with adult learners)
EI-SIG (for anyone interested in equity and inclusion)
LIB-SIG (for library media specialists)
ROBO-SIG (for those interested in the teaching of robotics)
TA/CS-SIG (for those working in Technology Applications and Computer Science areas K-12)
TEC-SIG (for CTOs, technology directors, and instructional technology leaders)
VL-SIG (for those interested in virtual learning)

Harvest a Bounty of Benefits

Fall into TCEA today. You can join or renew your membership for free, but only until the end of the day Friday, October 30.

Click here to pump up your professional learning network.

Leaders: Want to sign up your entire team, school, or even district all at once for free this week? You can do all that by filling out this Excel sheet with your team’s information (with their consent, of course), and emailing it to Robert Bennett, Director of Member Engagement, at rbennett@tcea.org.

Don’t delay. Together, we can achieve more!!!

October 26, 2020 4 comments

TCEA 2021: A Powerful Online Event Built for How You Teach Today

by Andrew Roush September 24, 2020

written by Andrew Roush

Post updated Nov. 9, 2020

Update: Keeping Up with Changes

TCEA has made the difficult decision to take the 2021 TCEA Convention & Exposition fully virtual. After careful consideration with TCEA’s partners at the City of Dallas and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, it is clear that ongoing COVID-19 safety measures require us to find new ways to deliver the powerful insights and connections you expect from this event.

The live experience will begin February 1-6, 2021 with more customizable ways to learn throughout the month. Self-paced content will be available through March 5, 2021, and you’ll receive access to IDEAcon February 22-24 with live content between both engaging experiences.

Learn more about our virtual event here — and don’t forget to register now.

Original post, Sep. 24, 2020: Since 1980, TCEA’s annual Convention & Exposition has been a trusted source for the latest in all things education and ed tech. In 2021, our innovative hybrid registration options, new partnerships, and timely topics from extraordinary educators give you even more ways to expand your professional learning network, get to know the latest technologies, and share your unique perspective — wherever you are.

Registration for the 2021 TCEA Convention & Exposition, February 1–6, 2021 in Dallas, Texas and online, opens at 9:00 a.m. Central on September 24, 2020. Explore what we have planned and secure your place at this world-class event. Early Bird pricing goes away soon, so register today!

The BIG Picture

However you choose to take part, we’re working to give you more ways to connect. Here is what you can expect from the TCEA 2021 event:

A hybrid event, with both face-to-face and virtual registration available.
A new partnership with IDEA (the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance) giving you a month-long opportunity for quality professional development, all included in the convention registration price.
A diverse group of thought leaders from around the world sharing best practices, the latest ed tech resources, and how to make learning happen regardless of the environment.
A worry-free registration guarantee. In-person registrants who are not able to attend the live event can receive a full refund, if registration is canceled by January 8, 2021. In-person registration can also be changed to the virtual-only registration without a fee.

A Hybrid Convention

In 2021, we’re looking at education from every angle. We’re giving educators new ways to connect, and our worry-free registration means that however you choose to take part, in-person or online, we’ve got you covered. Our hybrid event, in Dallas and on our virtual conference platform, gives you flexible new ways to find big ideas, and share yours.

Here’s how you can be a part of it all:

Our Virtual Convention Badge includes full access to live-streamed and on-demand sessions, networking events, our online exhibit hall, and more. Plus, you’ll have access to the on-demand sessions for up to 30 days, meaning you can earn up to 100 self-paced CPE hours. Virtual Convention badges start at just $179.
The Full Convention Badge gives you complete access to the Convention & Exposition in Dallas and online, including all the enlightening thought leaders and inspiring sessions you’ve come to expect, and 30 days’ access to our on-demand presentations.
For those looking to engage with our expansive Expo, featuring the biggest companies in ed tech, we also offer virtual and in-person Exhibit Hall badges starting at $59.

Check out all of our registration options, and find the best fit for you, at the Convention & Exposition website.

A Flexible Event — Built for You

Preparing students for the future means understanding what’s coming. In addition to our powerful hybrid convention, we’re creating new ways to help you find resources and engage with other educators.

For 2021, we’re teaming up with IDEAcon to expand your opportunities for learning and bring even more perspectives into your PLN. Learn more about this partnership and what it provides to you here.

And don’t forget: Registration includes a one-year membership or membership renewal in TCEA. As a member, you’ll have access to amazing PD events, webinars, and a vibrant online community all year long.

Ready to embrace education from every angle? Join us at the 2021 TCEA Convention & Exposition — in Dallas or wherever you are.

September 24, 2020 0 comments

Announcements/Important Dates Professional Learning

Weave Together Perfect Professional Development

by Kristy Breaux December 5, 2019

written by Kristy Breaux

TCEA is more than just an event, it’s a community. That’s why our annual TCEA Convention & Exposition is designed to create a professional development experience that meets the needs of a variety of dedicated educators, all sharing a vision for the future.

Every educator, from administrators to classroom teachers, faces a diverse array of challenges, and each deploys their own knowledge and skills in different ways. Put simply, no two teachers are alike. So when we planned our 2020 TCEA Convention & Exposition, we worked to ensure that a variety of different specialities and topics in education were addressed. We call these strands.

It’s our hope that over the five days of world-class presentations and conversations, you find resources from all the strands that touch on your work and professional learning. Here’s how you can weave together these strands to reflect your personal approach to education.

Step 1: Make Sure You’re Registered

You can’t jump into all that content if you’re not registered. Choose the badge type that’s right for you or your group and submit your registration here. Don’t forget, registration comes with a one-year membership or renewal in TCEA, so you can be a part of a vibrant education community year-round and continue the learning.

And remember: Registration prices will increase on January 10, so don’t delay!

Step 2: Explore the Strands

With over 1,000 expert-led presentations, it can be hard to narrow down the sessions that meet your requirements, interests, and needs. So check out the strands below, and find the ones that fit you for a customized convention experience.

Application Immersion: Deep dives into the use of a software or application so you can use the apps that increase learning with ease and confidence.
Leadership and CTO: Sessions designed to help decision makers find the best products, services, and purchasing practices, along with big-picture ideas for training and coaching, as well as district and campus visioning and leadership.
Library Media: Discover the latest and best in multimedia learning, including ways to engage students in the learning process, conduct research, and become responsible consumers of information and good digital citizens.
Online and Blended Learning: Insights to help you flip your classroom or augment your in-class work with the most effective virtual classroom technologies. Find the tech that helps keep learning going beyond the classroom.
Pedagogy and Instructional Design: Boost creativity and productivity, explore open educational resources, and find the tools and techniques for lesson planning, technology integration, and more.
Professional Development: Find new, effective ways to connect with peers, staff, and colleagues through technology, from strategies and models for making connections to the smartest means for measuring outcomes.
Special Populations: Best practices, new technologies, and proven strategies for supporting learning with ELL and bilingual students, GT and gifted students, and students with special needs.
Technology Applications and CTE Courses: Create computational thinking in the classroom and pick up the newest and most useful strategies and tools for teaching coding and CTE, as well integrating STEM/STEAM into teaching and learning.
Technology Support and IT: Upgrade the ways you keep faculty, staff, students, and parents safe online. Find the latest trends, tech, and techniques for securing network infrastructure, managing hardware and software, and providing technical support.

Step 3: Find Your Professional Development Sessions

Now that you’re excited, jump into the sessions that fit you. You can find all the sessions for TCEA 2020 online. Even better, you can search by strand or keyword and explore everything the convention has to offer.

It’s that easy! Although, if there were a step four, it would be: Start planning now — February will come sooner than you think. So get ready! We’re excited to see you there.

Photo: Sergio Gonzalez

December 5, 2019 0 comments

Announcements/Important Dates

The Times They Are A-Changin’

by Lori Gracey May 31, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

Bob Dylan’s iconic song painted a picture of a world in the midst of rapid change, most of which was being ignored by the “establishment.” We, too, are in the middle of great change in our world, but I don’t have nearly as dark a view of it as Bob did. I think that many of the changes happening around us today are a reason for hope and excitement. I hope that you’ll agree after you see some of our changes that are coming.

TCEA Is A-Changin’ Too

After surveying our members and former members this past year, TCEA’s board and staff have worked to create stronger technology systems to better serve our individual members’ needs. The first of these changes will be unveiled this week, with more to follow.

A New Member Database System

The first change that you will experience happens on June 1 as we move to a new database system. We had outgrown change our old system and found that it couldn’t provide the service our members deserve. For the new system, you will be asked to log in to the TCEA site with the same email address that you’ve used before. Then, you’ll have to select a new password. The password must be a minimum of eight characters long and contain at least one letter and at least one number. (While this is a pain, it is a necessity in today’s digital world.) And, by the way, if you forget your new password, the Forgot Password? link now actually works and lets you reset your password!

Once you’ve logged in, you should do the following to ensure that you have full access to all of the member benefits that you are entitled to:

Update your contact profile
- Is your mailing address correct? This is where we mail the quarterly TechEdge magazine to you. We recommend that you use your home address to make sure the magazine gets to you each time.
- Have you changed districts recently? Your email address is your login to all things TCEA. If you have a new district and your email has changed, make sure to update that.
- Has your job title changed? We provide much of our content to you based on the needs of your specific role in education. So if you’ve changed from an elementary teacher to a middle school teacher or gotten a promotion, be sure to change your job title so that the content you receive meets your new career.
- When does your current membership expire? You don’t want to miss out on any of your benefits.
Review any past transactions or open invoices
Browse the online store for innovative books and TCEA merchandise and swag

An Updated, Easier-to-Use Website

You may also notice that our website is now easier to navigate as well. We have rebuilt it on a stronger system. We have also designed the organization to be more intuitive. We want to make sure you can find what you need easily and quickly. We welcome you to explore the website, kick the tires, and look around. You might discover some resources you didn’t even know TCEA offered, now featured clearly. We hope this website will better serve your needs and become a bookmarked favorite for accessing content, news, and information about TCEA events.

New Opportunities for Free Learning 24/7

We listened to what our members need and have redesigned our famous Lunch and Learn and Get Your Google On webinar series. These 30-minute sessions will rotate around three different themes this year: Google tools, Microsoft tools, and technology integration. In addition, we will feature monthly webinars presented by our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) on topics for librarians, robotics teachers and mentors, leadership, computer science teachers, and more. And all of the sessions will count for both CPE and G/T credit. Attend the live webinar each Wednesday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or listen to the recorded version any time you like. Here are the first few webinars that are coming your way:

Collaborative Partnerships in the Library (8/22)
Google Tools for Inclusive Learning (9/5)
Learning for All with OneNote Class Notebook (9/12)
Harness the Power of the ISTE Standards for Students (9/19)
TexQuest Playbook (9/26)
Google Is Your Lifeboat in a Sea of Information (10/3)
Bringing Stories Alive with MS Sway (10/10)
Is It Trick or a Treat? Web Tools Can Be Fun, Too! (10/17)
Building Inquiry tools to Support Classroom Research (10/23)

You can register for these can’t-miss learning events any time after June 4 on our website.

Continue the Learning in the Community

Just as our old database system had become outdated, so, too, had our old online community. So on June 4, we will unveil its update. You can access it via your email, through its free app, or on the web, whichever method you prefer. And you’ll be able to connect and learn with your peers more easily with its new chat and filtering capabilities. Look in your inbox for how to access this new resource on June 4.

Future Improvements

In the coming months, you’ll also see changes in our online blog and in the email content that is delivered to meet your specific needs. All of these changes are designed to help you better conquer the challenges that are part of our daily lives now. Together, we can achieve learning without limits!

May 31, 2018 0 comments

Coding/Computer Science Robotics STEM/STEAM

Collaboration, Creativity, and Teamwork at State Robotics Contest

by Joe Vasquez April 10, 2018

written by Joe Vasquez

Students from across the state gathered this past weekend to participate in the annual TCEA State Robotics Contest. Teams had the opportunity to put their collaborative critical-thinking skills to the test as they showcased their inventions and went head-to-head with other state finalists in the Arena division. Two hundred teams of up to four students each gathered in Hutto to test their skills. Each team had already competed at the Area level against more than 1,400 teams.

Arena Contest

This year’s challenge, Mastering Mars, allowed students the opportunity to task their robots to prepare the Martian environment for human settlement and iron mining. Each team’s robot had to complete as many tasks as they could within the two-minute time frame. Teams were allowed to use one LEGO Mindstorms programmable processing unit, LEGO-branded motors and sensors, other LEGO-branded devices, and non-LEGO parts not to exceed the five dollar limit.

It was impressive to see both Intermediate (grades 4-8) and Advanced (grades 9-12) state teams put their problem-solving skills to the test as they attempted to complete each task on the game field. Anticipation mixed with excitement filled the room as teams watched in awe as their robots performed. One contestant in the Arena Pit mentioned being able to test the robot’s capabilities and see what it can and can’t do as part of the thrill of competing. Overall, a great sense of teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity radiated throughout the groups.

Inventions Contest

As Arena contestants battled it out for the top spot, Invention participants exercised their creative-thinking skills by designing a robot to solve a real-world problem of their own choosing. From iPotty toilet assistance for the elderly to oil pipe sealing robots, students of all ages let their imaginations run free to create exciting solutions to make the world a better place. Other solutions offered to save lives, assist entomologists to gather insect specimens, and collect dangerous metal objects, among others.

In addition to providing functional prototypes of their creations, Inventions teams had to keep a detailed logbook of their progress and come up with polished presentations and marketing plans for their ideas. When asked what was their favorite part of competing at the state level, an intermediate team agreed it was the ability to create new initiatives through their inventions while being able to assist others in the process.

I hope this insider’s look into this year’s competition encourages you to incorporate robotics into your classroom while allowing your students to develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills further. If you’re interested in learning more about our program and how your students can join other robotics teams next year, click here. You might also want to check out the amazing EV3 robotics workshop TCEA is offering July 16-20. This five-day robotics workshop will show you how to use LEGO MINDSTORMS to help your students develop a love of STEM along with valuable critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Whether you’re an educator, librarian, or administrator, this week-long learning opportunity will give you the knowledge, resources, and best practices to introduce a successful robotics program at your school this fall.

April 10, 2018 0 comments

Announcements/Important Dates

TCEA Educator Award and Scholarship Winners Announced

by Joe Vasquez February 15, 2018

written by Joe Vasquez

On February 6, TCEA honored its Educator Award and Scholarship recipients at a ceremony during the 2018 TCEA Convention & Exposition. These incredible educators were chosen based on their efforts to advance teaching and learning through technology.

TCEA Scholarships

The TCEA scholarships are awarded each year to deserving educators and college students seeking to further their knowledge of technology education. With these scholarships, TCEA encourages the acquisition of technology and teaching skills and supports the professional growth of both practicing and pre-service educators. This year’s winners are listed below:

Robert E. Knight Professional Scholarship
Sarah McManus, Henderson ISD, Texas A&M University

Jeri Hodges Leadership Scholarship
Jan Hodge, Crowley ISD
Cori Coburn-Shiflett, Georgetown ISD

TCEA Educator Awards

TCEA recognizes exemplary educators for their tireless efforts to enhance technology throughout their classrooms, libraries, campuses, and districts. Winners of the awards received engraved plaques and $1,000 each from TCEA. The finalists in each category received plaques and $500 each. The High Impact Teacher of the Year recipient will also be nominated for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Outstanding Teacher award. The finalists, with winners in bold, are listed below:

High Impact Teacher of the Year
Jamie Jo Keeter-Morgan, Wichita Falls ISD
Lynn Koresh, Edgewood Campus School (recipient)
Valerie Satterwhite, Round Rock ISD

Library Media Specialist of the Year
Heather Aston, Coppell ISD
Annie Colvin, Lockhart ISD
Trela Weesner, Lewisville ISD (recipient)

Technical Support Person of the Year
Javier Aguilar, East Fort Worth Montessori Academy
Sherri Forrest, Prestonwood Christian Academy (recipient)
Paul McGuire, Clyde Consolidated ISD

Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year
Elizabeth Benno, Lovejoy ISD (recipient)
Bradford Harris, Aldine ISD
Tisha Poncio, Celina ISD

District or Campus Administrator of the Year
Dr. Kyle Heath, Cleburne ISD (recipient)
Amber Teamann, Wylie ISD

Technology Administrator of the Year
Kyle Ivey, Central ISD (recipient)

School Board of the Year
Cleburne ISD

Making IT Happen Award
Mark Simmons, Sabine Pass ISD (recipient)

Congratulations to this year’s Educator Award and Scholarship winners!

On behalf of TCEA, let me extend my warmest congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists. They represent the very best in education, and their innovative use of technology in their classrooms and schools is genuinely creating learning without limits. We wish them all continued success for the future.

February 15, 2018 0 comments

Leadership

Beyond the Robe and Gavel: Getting to Know Judge Glenda Hatchett

by Susan Meyer February 6, 2018

written by Susan Meyer

The 2018 TCEA Convention & Exposition is in full swing this week, providing incredible thought leaders, the latest trends in technology, and the resources you need to integrate technology into your classroom, school, or district. Educators from all over the world come to this learning event knowing that they will leave inspired and ready to tackle new ways of reaching their students.

One Motivator

To keep the attendees motivated and excited about their calling, TCEA is thrilled to present Judge Glenda Hatchett as our closing keynote speaker. This amazing woman in a thought leader in how we treat each other and how we can best help the youth of today become the leaders of tomorrow. Here’s a deeper look beyond her robe and gavel in understanding why Hatchett is the incredible youth advocate she is today.

“Education is important in leveling the playing field of opportunities. It motivates kids to dream big dreams,” says Hatchett. “Kids need hope, and educators are on the frontline on giving them hope.”

Judge Hatchett’s Influencers

Hatchett attributes her first grade teacher as a major inspiration in her life, so it makes sense as to why she has made a focus of her life’s work to encourage educators to really reach their students. In discussing her closing keynote, Hatchett hopes to “send educators home with a challenge and reinforce why they do what they do.”

Hatchett also credits being a mother as another reason why she is passionate about education. She said her father taught her the importance of a good education and helped her reach further than she thought she could. Realizing that parents are inherently educators, Hatchett made sure she equipped her now-adult children to do the same when she was raising them. Being a mother is the “most important role” in her life and helped shaped her purpose, which she says is to “inspire, empower, and uplift families and children.” However, Hatchett’s advocacy reaches beyond empowering youth.

Recently, Hatchett has become an advocate for maternal health as well. Due to the tragic loss of her daughter-in-law, who died shortly after giving birth to her second child, Hatchett saw firsthand the cracks in the maternal health care system. In response, she helped found the 4Kira4Moms campaign. This advocacy effort calls for improved maternal healthcare and is currently “proposed legislation cosponsored by a bipartisan coalition of 66 members of The House of Representatives.” To learn more, visit this website.

With so many avenues of advocacy under her belt, it seems like being a judge is just a day job for someone as accomplished as Hatchett. “People see me as just a judge, but I change gears,” says Hatchett. “I’m an advocate for the people behind the bench.”

Playing so many roles and wearing various hats has molded Hatchett into the amazing force she is today. Be sure to catch her at the closing keynote session in Ballroom D on Friday, Feb. 9, at 10:30 a.m.

February 6, 2018 0 comments

Professional Learning

What One #TCEA Convention Attendee is Looking For

by Guest Blogger February 5, 2018

written by Guest Blogger

I attend TCEA each year, and each year, I try to challenge myself on what to learn and look for throughout the conference. Attending the conference each year can make things seem like ritual and habit, but making a list of “look for this” learning opportunities keeps me mentally on my feet so I get the most out of my conference time. So here is my list:

1) Innovative Space Design

Designing learning spaces is a hot topic and one that I am investing more and more into understanding the implications on learners and teachers. Through our blended learning projects in my school district, we are engaging teachers on a weekly basis in conversations around seating options, classroom layout, student ownership of the classroom, and so much more. I am hoping to see not only how some are designing their spaces, but also how they are leading the charge for spaced design and funding that work.

2) Blended/Innovative Learning

We have been engaged in blended learning for more than three years as a district. We have iterated and refined our learning and application of blended learning models across the K-12 spectrum. My goal for blended is to engage with those that have also been invested in the process of implementing blended learning and then glean from their experiences so we can continue to scale our work effectively as a district.

3) The Unexpected

Each year I am looking for the thing I did not expect as well. I do not know what it will be this year, but I will know it when I see it. Past experiences had me listening to Angela Maiers talk on the #youmatter movement, discovering the passion of Braeden’s Art (h/t to Rafranz), sharing mustaches with Steve Dembo, and karaoke-ing with 500 of my closest EdTech friends. What will this year hold?

4) That One Guy/Gal (or a Few)!

No. Not THAT that one, but that one that will challenge my point of view and give me a target to grow towards. In the past, that has meant befriending great thinkers and leaders like Todd Nesloney, George Couros, Tom Murray, Shannon Miller, Greg Garner, Amy Mayer, and many more. Look around! There are great people at the convention who will impact your life in amazing ways for many years to come!

So, TCEA veterans, what are your learning look-fors? Share with me @jamielocklin using #TCEA (FYI #TCEA18 and #TCEA2018 are popular, but not the official hashtag).

Jamie Locklin is the Director of Digital Learning for Hays CISD.

February 5, 2018 0 comments

Educational Trends Google Tips and Tricks Microsoft

Tools to Take the Best Notes at the 2018 TCEA Convention

by Susan Meyer February 4, 2018

written by Susan Meyer

The 2018 TCEA Convention & Exposition is in full swing as educators from all over the nation have come together to learn about the latest trends in educational technology and to build on their professional development. With sessions for every role in education, the convention may take a bit of planning in what sessions to attend and what information to retain. To make the most of your convention experience, taking good notes is essential. After all, what good is taking amazing notes if you can’t find what you need in them in a few weeks or months? The best way to ensure that your convention learning (and any learning, for that matter) remains fresh and easily searched is to use one of the great note taking tools that are available to educators.

The Top Three Note-Taking Tools

Some of the best tools that may help you write the most beneficial notes are Google Keep, OneNote, and Evernote. All of these tools are currently free to use (a big plus!). They have a similar purpose, but also unique features that set each one apart.

Google Keep

Google Keep has standard note-taking features such as automatic saves, ability to share the finished product, and checkboxes. In addition, it has the ability to send reminders about the notes you take and has a built-in OCR. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) means that the system can not only recognize text, but also graphic images such as drawings or illustrations or sketch notes. With these added features, Google Keep is great for jotting something down quick while also giving you room to organize and build on your notes to make them more detailed. Its design is simple for content to be easy to write or find.

Note Taking with OneNote

OneNote is a little more robust than Google Keep because it provides the ability to create internal links. This can allow you to link to a particular Twitter account or chat or to a PDF handout link from a presenter. It also can hold more characters than Google Keep, making it perfect for keeping notes from multiple events and years. These features allow your notes to be a little more in-depth and organized. One disadvantage of OneNote, however, is its inability to recover deleted items, which may be an issue when you’re bouncing session to session.

Evernote

Following Google Keep and OneNote is Evernote. Like OneNote, Evernote is more robust with a feature that integrates with third-party services through APIs. This lets you connect it to other applications such as Outlook or Google Drive. You can see what else works with OneNote here. However, with a more complex design, it lags in speed and consistency across all devices. The best way use Evernote is in its web version.

There are plenty of ways to take great, useful notes. To recap, Google Keep is simply designed and made for quick notes that you can put into greater depth at a later time while OneNote offers a happy medium of more detailed, organizational features. If you are using the web version, Evernote offers copious possibilities. No matter your note-taking style, one of these tools will is sure to help you take your best 2018 TCEA Convention notes.

February 4, 2018 0 comments

Good Teaching Professional Learning Technical Support

Member Spotlight on Veteran Technology Director Patricia Startz

by Susan Meyer December 28, 2017

written by Susan Meyer

At TCEA, we have the incredible privilege of supporting our members and helping them to advance teaching and learning through technology. We try to share the innovative work that our members are doing so that our other readers and followers can be inspired and learn some tips and tricks from educators in the field. Today, we’re spotlighting a seasoned educator in her 25th year of of teaching and technology service.

Patricia Startz is currently the Technology Director at Falls City ISD, south of San Antonio. Her long and impressive career began with earning her bachelor’s in Mathematics and Computer Science, along with a teaching certification, from Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University). She started a job at Falls City the very next Monday after graduating and never looked back! In her time there, she also managed to get a master’s degree from Lamar University in Educational Technology Leadership and Administration in 2012.

Putting Out Tech Fires and Supporting New Initiatives

Patricia is always on the lookout for what can go wrong and how to best address problems before they start. “Our new campus has been online since early August last year. The transition went smoothly, most of the year has been smooth, but, there are always ‘hiccups’ that keep me on my toes.” She starts each day addressing any emergency needs that have cropped up. If everything is running smoothly, she starts on her own list, including hardware and software repairs on laptops, network maintenance, security camera maintenance, Google administration, online testing, campus plans, and more.

Luckily, Patricia is up to the challenge of ever-changing priorities and the need to be always alert to the next big thing. When asked what she likes most about her job, she cites the variety and changing schedule from day to day. “Each day provides an opportunity for sharing and learning.” She is excited about the challenge of integrating the 80 new Chromebooks that her district recently acquired. Like all technology roll-outs, it hasn’t been without its adjustment period. But Patricia was excited to celebrate when the computers were all up and running.

How TCEA Provides Learning without Limits

Patricia and her staff have used a number of TCEA training opportunities in the past to help them stay current and keep learning new strategies for technology advancement. She attends the System Administrator and Technical Support Conference in October and the TCEA Convention & Exposition in February. She is also involved in TEC-SIG, the special interest group just for technology directors and technology coordinators.

For additional training, Patricia had TCEA professional development staff come right to Falls City before a big technology roll-out. “We have had TCEA staff come to our district to provide Google tools and Google Classroom training in preparation so that administrators and teachers were ready for the transition.” For more information about onsite training, please see here.

Tips and Favorite Tools from an Ed Tech Master

Patricia has three pieces of advice for other tech directors looking to make big changes in their schools or districts: train your staff, look for free resources, and keep things balanced. As she explains:

Technology changes rapidly. To keep up, you have to take the initiative to constantly train up, whether or not it is required and whether or not your employer pays for it. Take advantage of as many of the freely-available training resources as you can. Then, be seen and heard! Skills and knowledge are most beneficial to you and the staff you serve when shared. Somehow… try to get home by 5:00 p.m. and on weekends so you do not miss your family’s important moments. You cannot get those moments back. Try to make and keep a balance.

Patricia also offers advice on her favorite tech tools. She’s a big fan of Google Classroom and Microsoft Classroom and encourages good training in order to “discover how their awesomeness can help teachers implement differentiated and engaging learning experiences for all their students.” Her go-to resources? “When what I need to know just isn’t covered in the two-minute videos posted on the various free sites, [I use] TCEA. Specifically, the training sessions at the SysAdmin conference, the Convention, the Microsoft Testing for certification at the Convention, and the multitude of various sessions offered throughout the year via webinar or on the TCEA campus.”

We at TCEA are so happy to have Patricia Startz as one of our committed members! To learn about other innovative educators transforming education, you can read some of our previous member spotlight posts here, here, and here. Do you know a TCEA member who deserves a little spotlighting? Email me at smeyer@tcea.org to suggest a member we should brag about.

December 28, 2017 0 comments

Newer Posts

Older Posts