On Day Three, I had the opportunity to conduct two different presentations:

• 24/7 Virtual IT Professional Development: Co-presenting with Carol Mortensen & Lorena Olmos (Room 18D), and
• Developing Technology Cadre: Successes and Challenges: Presenting with Shelley Smallwood (Room 18C)

The experiences I have obtained from both presentations were unique, reflective, and meaningful. Many of the attendees were impressed with how our YISD teachers and administrators implemented best practices in utilizing web pages, podcasts, virtual professional development portal, department directory, and the like. I felt good as to how I was able to share the great works and products our teachers and students have been developing, and why technology integration should be embedded seamlessly in the core content areas.

Aside from being able to present on this day, I was able to visit the floor exhibit and discover current technologies that were presented by different vendors. Likewise, I was able to attend a few more concurrent sessions that focused on what they anticipated to be the next level in Web 2.0 tools, the impact of these tools on technology skill growth, and using these tools to support our special population of students.

When I arrived in Austin, TX, the weather was absolutely beautiful and I felt the immediate excitement from fellow attendees who participated in the TCEA 2009 Conference. After dropping off my bags at my hotel room, which I shared with Lorena, I headed out to the conference center to register together with the YISD group. Day One was filled with figuring out the fastest route to get to the conference center by walking and avoiding areas where traffic will most likely be bigger in number. I also had to prepare myself from figuring out how to carry all my technology gear, particularly my DSLR camera, as I walked up and down the hilly roads of Downtown Austin.

On Day Two, I was ready to refocus on my objective. My goal in this conference was to focus on Web 2.0 tools. Now, you may wonder what Web 2.0 tools are and how these tools can be implemented effectively for technology integration. According to Howie DiBlasi, who was one of the astounding presenters I have witnessed during my entire 4-day stay in Austin, our students are part of a generation where more complex tools are developed and introduced to them frequently. They have immense knowledge on how to create blogs, text hundreds of messages with their cell phones, twitter short phrases or brief sentences among friends in order to share what they are currently doing, produce audio or video podcasts in a few minutes, chat endlessly, and the like.

Some of the sessions I was able to attend included the following:

• 8:00 – 8:45 What is Web 2.0 and What’s in it for me? (Room 18C)
• 9:00 – 10:45 Keynote Speaker: Lisa Ling (General Session)
• 11:00 – 11:45 Vroom with a Voki (avatar; Room 14)
• 1:00 – 2:30 Lost in Cyberspace: Teaching Brock to Search (Ballroom G)
• 3:00 – 4:30 Web 2.0 Create – Communicate – Connect – Collaborate (Ballroom G)

The experiences I have obtained all throughout the first day had been very meaningful and very productive. The various presenters have shared many thought provoking ideas and interesting views with regard to the present and future implementation of web 2.0 tools in changing our outlook towards our educational system. It is quite exciting thinking that our students can look forward to a more interactive and collaborative way of learning!

What is YackPack?

If you have not heard of YackPack before, this is your lucky day! I felt the same way the first time I learned about YackPack during Wesley Fryer’s concurrent sessions at the TCEA Conference in Austin, TX.

YackPack is an online voice messaging service which allows you to create or record a live audio and send this message to a pack, group, or community you want to have constant connection and communciation. Wherever the members of your pack may be, you can record your message easily with your computer and microphone (as YackPack will detect whatever device you have that will allow voice recording), and send it to your target group.

Who can benefit in using YackPack?

This online system is great for different groups including business, organizations, education, and individuals. Each of these communities can benefit in using YackPack, which allows them to:

• have the tool to connect with local and remote groups which only requires the use of a browser to obtain access
• unify groups by having people involve in meaningful conversations
• establish a motivating way to communicate with parents and students
• share stories with your individual voice which can be kept for a lifetime

Is YackPack free or do I need to have a paid subscription?

YackPack offers a free subscription. So, what are you waiting for? Try it!

Launch YackPack

Last February 5 – 9, I had the greatest pleasure to be in Austin, Texas for the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Conference. It was a blast! Most of the workshops and concurrent sessions I have attended were worth waiting in line for, although you have some presenters who were not that very good. Nevertheless, I took a lot of notes on those who had great knowledge and skills, and knew exactly what they were doing. Here is a list of workshops and sessions that I have attended, which I highly recommend in case they present again next year:

• Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator Integration (workshop) with Larry Happy – Adobe Systems, Inc.
• Creating Powerful Online Secondary Learning Activities (workshop) with Janice Schlottmann – Bryan ISD
• I.T.S. About Podcasting and iPods in the ESL Classroom – Year 2 (concurrent session) with LaDonna Conner
• Integrating Podcasts in Education (concurrent session) with Deana Nunley
• Global Voices: Interactive Podcasting and VOIP Classroom Projects (concurrent session ) with Wesley Fryer
• iTeaching: iPods Enhance Student Engagement (concurrent session)with Bobby Morris

Other sessions that I attended, co-presented, or facilitated were:

• Teachers as Students
• Producing a Professional Sounding Podcast
• Developing a World Class Immediancy Program
• Creative Technology Integration

Too bad, I missed out on Carol’s session, Use Your Website as an Educational Tool with Blogging. If I was not busy going from one workshop or session to another (and trying to dodge human traffic), I was at the Exhibit floor where I met with our district’s suppliers.