NECC 2003 Notes

Audrey W. Beard, Tuesday, July 1,2003

I attended several sessions today and visited the exhibits.  The keynote speaker addressed The Five Essential Questions for e-Learning.  Her talk focused on what should be included in an electronic learning environment.  Though the information  was geared  toward business one could correlate the information with education utilization . Specifically, e-Learning should include strong content  that should be valid and appropriate for the children. Sound, color, knowing the audience should be included when developing e-Learning.

I  attended during the morning sessions The Effects of Handheld Computers on Teaching and Learning, Laptop Computers in Teacher Education:What Difference Does It Make? and Best Practices...It's Elementary!  I learned about Instructional Technology, Internet based software and how it effects teaching and learning in the classroom.  The laptop computers could assist the teaching and learning process for preservice teachers.   This could help uneven access to techology for preservice teachers. Additionally, using technology in early childhood education can cultivate literacy learning and address the standards.

During the afternoon I focused on Preservice Teacher Preparation  and collaborative strategies to prompte integration of technology into field experiences.  I may use video conferencing with student teachers in the future.  Integrating Clicker4 Software will assist non-readers to become readers using multimedia software program.  Professional Development is good for mentoring beginning teachers through  innovative technologies.  It is good to capture, create, and communicate uisng the digital camera in the classroom.

Dr. Audrey W. Beard

Albany State University

July 2nd Jaana Teal

When my alarm went off this morning, I debated on sleeping in but changed my mind.  There was one session I really wanted to see on mathematics and I knew there was going to be resources given out.  The presenter showed us a really cool program called "Understanding Math."  He also gave us a website where all the worksheets he has created for the website can be found.  (I am without my conference supplies, so I will have to post it later.)  Basically, the program is interactive which I think will be motivational to the students.  When a student answers incorrectly, the computer will give a hint.  It does it around 3 times before giving the correct answer.  I can't say enough about how well I enjoyed this session.  If this had of been the only session I had visited during my stay in Seattle, the trip would have been worth it.

I would really like to purchase this program which covers concepts in math from 5th to 8th grade, but it is rather expensive.  So, I plan to take the CD to my ILT and convince her that we cannot live without it.

The rest of the day was fun, fun, fun.  I had the experience of visiting Pike Place Market and China Town.  I can't say enough how much I appreciate what Tonya's mom has done. 

LaMeisha Williams - June 29, 2003

My flight to Seattle was my first, and boy, wasn't it an experience.  My husband and some friends took me to the Atlanta Airport.  Everything flowed very smoothly there.  From luggage check-in to boarding the plane, everything was perfect.  Take off was fine, but I got a little sick after the landing.  I was fine after about twenty minutes.  The take-off and landing from AZ were both okay.  Upon arriving in Seattle, we went the the Key Arena to hear the keynote speaker, Mae Jemison.  Dr. Jemison is a remarkable woman.  She definitely has a heart to educate people of all ethnic groups and socieconomic backgrounds.  She shared information on some of the projects that she has been involved in over the course of her career.  They include: going into space, teaching at summer camps, teaching college courses, etc. 

She said several profound things that have stood out to me.   One of the statements that she made was a quote from Alice Walker, "It is the nature of the flower to bloom."  She then related the flower to students.  It is their nature to bloom unless they are deprived of the necessary elements needed to thrive.  Dr. Jemison also reminded us that every second of our day was important.  I believe we all must strive to use the best of our time  so that our future is full of vibrant fields of colorful flowers, or we will be left with a desert of weeds and dead roots.

July 2, 2003: Colondra Thompson

Today I ventured out into Seattle.  I took a Harbor Tour on Elliot Bay and got to see Mt. Olympus, Mt. Rainer, SeaHawk Stadium, and where the Real World housed a building on the Bay. I advise you not to sit on the top deck if you are a cold natured person because I nearly froze.  It's a nice view on top, but just to cold for me a southern girl whose use to me heat. I went and sat on the bottom deck and I got me cup of hot chocolate.  Then I rode the monrail to Space Neddle where I got to she Mt. Rainer upclose through the telescope.

In all the conference was great.  This was my first time attending a conference and the first day I kind of felt overwhelmed, but as the next few days passed by I began to feel a little better.  Maybe later on when I begin to teach maybe I can get more out conferences let these.

Thanks to all those people who help get me here. It was a really great experience and it is something I will never forget!

Wednesday, July 2, 2003 - LaShonda Williford

Today I just visited various exhibits and toured the city of Seattle.  Most of the exhibits that I visted were very benefitcial.  They provided free software that one can view in order to implement in his or her classroom.  The exhibit hall gave me the opportunity to extend my learning and grow professional.  I feel that these exhibits will give all educators the opportunity to meet the highest standards of excellence.

June 29, 2003: Traveling to Seattle: Colondra Thompson

The flight to Seattle was awesome.  I had the window seat from Atlanta to Arizona and Arizona to Seattle.  I got to see everything.  In Arizona I saw some really cool planes.  The planes had lots of color and pictures on them.  I can remember seeing an Arizona Cardinal plane that was red and white with a picture of a cardinal on it.  There were orange planes with a mixture of red in them and the plane we rode was white, blue and orange.  I thought it was neat because I am use to seeing white planes.  The view of Arizona from the plane was very boring and all I saw was dirt, but I got to see the area that was burning in Arizona.  Now as I approached Seattle it was beautiful, there was so much greeny, blue water, and beautiful mountains.  I think I counted at least four mountains.

Attending the key note was excellent.  I enjoyed listening to Mae Jemison.  It was a great opportunity to see and hear the first black woman that went into space.  The only thing I didn't agree with during her speech was that she said students shouldn't use calculators until 9th grade.  I think it's ok for students to use calculators before the 9th grade as long as they know how to do everything using pen and pencil because sometimes its easier to use a calculator to do large numbers and it safes time.

Then later on that evening I went to the Italian resturant, Moma Melina for the first time and it was excellent.  I had excellent first day of Seattle.

Tuesday, July 1, 2003 - LaShonda Williford

After eating breakfast, I started my day off by listening to Janette Racicot.  Janette Racicot's speech was entitled "The Five Essential Questions for e-Learning."  Honestly I didn't enjoy Janette's speech because I didn't benefit from it.  Her speech was for business people.  After listening to Janette, I listened to a speech on Best Practices.  This discussion was led by Kris Drake.  I would recommend this section to all early childhood educators.  In this section Drake discussed various practices that one may use in the classrooms.  She also gave various web addresses that could be used to help students.  WWW.funbrains.com is one particular website that was given.  I was already familiar with this website and it is highly recommended.  This website consists of educational games and resources that parents can use to help thier children. Today I also had the opportunity to eat at the Cheesecake Factory.  This was also a new experience for me because I had never been nor seen a Cheesecake Factory. 

LaShonda Williford

Albany State University 

LaMeisha Williams - July 2, 2003

Today's adventures took me and the members of the Valdosta State Team around Seattle.  This morning we went down to the pier.  We visited several gift shops that had wonderful souveniers.  We went on a harbor cruise that informed us of some of the history of Seattle.  Our tour guide was excellent.  He pointed out various landforms, important historical events, etc.  Today we also went to the Space Needle.  Being 520 feet in the air truly changes your perspective on things!  I enjoyed seeing Seattle and learning about some of its history.

LaMeisha C. Williams

Wow!  I was exposed to a great deal of fantastic information today!  For most part of the day, I cruised the exhibit area.  I talked with a multitude of exhibitors and represenatives.  Some of the booths that provided me with extremely useful information included the Department of Education, represenatives from Tom Syder Products, the Qwizdom exhibit, and the Lintor Publishing exhibit.

This fall, my brother, sister, and mother will all be attended colleges and universities.  The department of education provided me with information that will be useful in obtaining the necessary finances to fund their educations.  I was also able to gather contact information relating to getting funding or assistance in supplying my classroom/school with additional computer.  I look forward to informing you all whenever I get the computers at my school in Paulding County, GA!!!!

Tom Syder Products conducted presentations every 20 minutes.  I sat through several of the and was truly amazed!  Some of the presenations that I experienced wer the The Graph Club 2.0, The Neighborhood Map Machine, and Reading for Meaning.  This products address mostly elementary and middle grade needs across all subject areas.  They are vividly animated and provide interaction with students in a variety of methods.  Students benefit from pre-formated lessons or lessons modifed by the teacher.  The software packages include lesson plans, worksheets, and materials used to create finished products such as maps and graphs.

One of the most fasanating exhibit that I visited was the Qwizdom exhibit.  The product truly involves, inspires and measures the progress of students.  This product allows each student to have a remote that is numbered so that they can participate in class activities.  The teacher displays information on a SmartBoard presentation board, a computer monitor, or even a television.  For example, if the teacher places a problem on the board, each student will have an opportunity to respond.   As they respond, the teacher is able to identify who has answered and who has not.  If students have questions or need help, they just press the "?" key.   All students are able to participate!  This product accomplishes the goals to engage, motivate, and provides instant feedback and grading!

When I visited the Lintor Publishing booth, I was impressed with the products that I saw.  They have a product that allows students to publish their own books.  I plan on purchasing this product to use in my language arts class this fall.  Students are allowed to write and illustrate books that look professionally published.  I intend on having my students create poetry books, collections of their favorite people, places, activities, etc. 

June 29 & July 2,2003, David Deon Lawton

Upon arrival on Sunday Evening, I got a chance to listen at Mae Jemison's speech, "Educating All Students to be Stewarts of the Earth We Share"! This speech had a little spice and seasoning in it - covering all topics that you think one would share in this type of conference environment about Technology Education.

She discussed early use of technology for students 6th grade and below as well as calculators. I thought this to be very  important in making sure that our students receive a solid and strong foundation and not be ignorant to simple academia such as critical thinking and analytical skills and basic arithmetic.

On Wednesday, July 2, I visited more of the exhibit areas. SPRINT PCS, IBM, and QUEST TECHNOLGIES are to name few. I also toured the downtown area and did some last minute shopping and went to the infamous CHEESECAKE FACTORY.

So far this has been a rewarding conference and I have learned a great deal about NECC and technology thus far.

David Deon Lawton, Fort Valley State University