Updating iMercy

Less than two years ago as part of our application process to become an Apple Distinguished School, we published iMercy to iTunes. iMercy is a 27 page multi-touch book which describes our school's technology program.

Unsurprisingly, a number of significant changes have occurred over the past two school years, so we would like to reflect these in an updated edition of the book.

A committee of a dozen enthusiastic volunteers recently convened for this project. We have two immediate tasks:

Some of us are going to collect new data with and ISTE Standards based survey on how our students use their iPads for school after three years of experience. Others will review the five chapters of the the book to consider what to weed out and what to update.

Page 11 of the iMercy first edition

Besides bringing fresh data analysis into iMercy there will obviously be some new content in the following areas:

*iCreate

*Mercy Tech Talk

*New iTunes U Courses

*Paperless Grading with Schoology

*Paperless assignment workflow with Schoology

*New technology focused courses like Photo, Film and Animation

We hope to have the new edition updated by mid-July. Of course I will keep you posted!

Spring Break!

I’ve had some fun with educational technology over spring break.  No heavy lifting . . . . straight fun!

For instance, some of the students and staff at Mercy have been exploring the iWizards’ iPad Tips and Tricks on Schoology. Consequently they have been earning our animated GIF badges which I have been more than happy to award.  Some like Mrs. Kline-Kator have earned all thirteen so they have home pages that light up like Christmas trees:

Over the past couple of months I have been scouting talent for 2016 Tech Talk. I keep a stockpile of interesting potential presenters in Evernote.  Over the break, I have been rating them on a set of criteria such as interest to Mercy staff, topic variety, expertise, proximity.  I have LAO been looking up contact info and following on Twitter when possible.  Folks like Jillian Johnson who rated an A+, don't know yet I'm "stalking" them.  But I hope that they will come to Tech Talk when I contact them next school year!

For Wednesday's webcast of Preview ISTE 2015 I had the good fortune of being teamed up with Kristen Swanson for the hour segment on professional development. She was a hard act to follow. Kristen is edcamp co-founder and delivered a terrific 20 minute presentation on the movement.  For those who don't know, here are the general features of these "unconferences":

*free

*non-commercial and conducted with a vendor-free presence

*made up of sessions that are determined on the day of the event by the participants

*events where anyone who attends can facilitate a session

*reliant on the “law of two feet” that encourages participants to find a session that meets their needs

Typical of ISTE events, I took away more than I contributed.

Oh yes, there was one other ed techie thing that I did over break.  As you can see, I blogged!

Outside of the Box Peer to Peer Tech Training Strategies / MACUL Conference Presentation

Here are the resources for my March 19, MACUL 2015 Conference Presentation on Outside of the Box Peer to Peer Tech Training Strategies

PDF Version of Presentation Slides

Tech Talk

Becoming a Digital School Administrator at iTunes U

iPad Tips and Tricks by MHS iWizards at iTunes U

Mercy Drop-in Lab (Video by Ann Lusch)

Alison's Video

A Culture of Peer to Peer PD (video)

Student to Student Training (video)

iWizard Take-away (video)

Update on Tech Talk -- SOLD OUT

There are less than three weeks until our second annual Mercy Tech Talk!  We had a huge influx of registrants at the early-discount deadline.  Our goal was 300 attendees and we surged past that number. In order to deliver a quality program we have closed registration.

My fellow conference coordinator, Ann Lusch, and I are looking forward to the following new wrinkles:

*Attendance will be 30% greater than last year's conference.

*We have the full faculties registered from five schools.

*We tripled our sponsorship this year.

*Professors from four universities will be leading break-out sessions

*This year we will offer a school administrator program strand.

*We offer 36 break-out sessions this year.

* 60% of the presenters are new to the conference and nearly all of the topics are new.

*The SCECH credit (continuing ed.) process will be streamlined in 2015.

*Several Mercy iWizards will be providing logistical and technical assistance.

We look forward to the challenge of giving all attendees a great experience. Follow the conversation on Twitter at #mhtalk

Mercy Tech Talk Sponsorships

On February 17, 2015 we will be hosting Tech Talk at Mercy High School, 

"A day filled with real world applications for the K-12 classroom".  We expect to surpass last years attendance of 250 regional educators. In an upcoming post I will preview some of the presentation topics that will be offered.  In order to keep this event very affordable ($40 for early registration), we depend on sponsors.  If you or someone you know would like an exhibit table or other form of sponsorship please contact event coordinator Ann Lusch amlusch@mhsmi.org 

Registration Now Open for 2015 Tech Talk #mhtalk

We have just opened registration for Tech Talk at Mercy— A day filled with real world applications for the K-12 classroom.

Date: February 27, 2015.

Cost: (Includes continental breakfast and lunch):

$40 Early registration -- individual

$30 Early registration -- per person for a group of five or more registering together

After February 1: All registration $50 per person

SCHECH credits will be available to professionals through Madonna University.

Scene from 2014 Tech Talk

Our keynote presentation will be delivered by Karen Bosch and titled, The Power of TLC: Technology + Learning + Creativity. To date other topics will include: * Productivity Apps for the Busy Teacher

* I got an iPad, now what?

* 5 Inspiring Google Connect Apps * Introduction to Photoshop CS6 * Creating Quality Video * Weebly in the Classroom

* inFORMed with Google Forms; communication=relationships

* Becoming a Digital School Administrator

* Blending Traditional Curriculum with Technology

* Happy Together with Google Sheets

* Snag it and Share-it!

Until November 15 we will be accepting presentation proposals at 

http://techtalkmercy.weebly.com/call-for-presenters.html