Ohio eTech Conference 2012 (Day Two)

On day two of the Ohio eTech Conference that ran 2/13-2/15 at the Columbus, Ohio Convention Center I managed to attend 3 presentations…here is my re-cap of Tuesday’s presentations.

You should know that I inadvertently slept in and made it to the conference by 9:30.  I totally missed the keynote speaker, Sascha Meinrath of the New America Foundation.  So I wandered through the Exhibitor’s Hall and met some really cool educators.  I spent so much time in the Exhibit Hall that I missed “my scheduled” presentation at 10 am  (some vendors like to keep you talking) …so I continued to walk around until 11:30 am.

The next presentation that I wanted to see was: From Start To Finish: Creating and Editing Student Videos on the iPad  by Eric Siler of WVIZ Public Television in Cleveland, OH.

However, Eric could not be present, so another teacher from Cleveland Public Schools stepped in.  While I failed to get his name, I must say that he tried to step-up, but unfortunately, he failed.  He started off with a bang, but it ended as swarms of attendees left the room.  One of the downfalls was that he did not have an iPad to do any of the demonstrations.  Another WVIZ rep tried to help.  But only a handful of people stayed.

Why did I stay?  Well, I really felt for the guy.  He was trying so hard and I could not add to his embarrassment.  So I stayed until the presentation ended…12:45.

I was then able to find the next session at 1:15 quickly, I wasn’t going to miss another one, so I stayed close to the meeting room.  This presentation was one that I was waiting for: Technology Coordinator Roundtable: Work Smarter, Not harder. Managing a district with a staff of one. Jacob Carmany, from Green Local Schools was discussing how one technology coordinator could easily manage a boatload of computers, smartboards in every classroom, netbooks, and 4 servers.  I was enthralled!

First, Jacob talked about using iTalc (I wrote about iTalc in a previous post…here’s a link) which is a computer management

Jacob discussed using Moodle to hold instructional videos for teachers.  (great idea—how to videos so that he doesn’t have to run around the school trying to fix every little thing…i.e.:  Adding a printer, connecting a SmartBoard, using the tools on the Smartboard, saving a Word document as a .pdf., the list goes on…)

I love this idea…I wish I had thought of it.  Fantastic…make mini instructional videos and post them where teachers can find them!  Genius!

Jake also introduced me to Ninite.  Ninite allows the user to update ANYTHING.  The website boasts that it is “The Easiest, Fastest Way to Update or Install Software”  YES!  Finally…and Ninite automatically says “NO” to toolbars!  YES!  So I could update each and every computer with a click of a button!  COOL!  I am seriously considering purchasing the PRO version for my school.  Anything that saves me time is all GOOD!

The other website that Jake mentioned was Fogproject.  Fogproject is a FREE open-source computer cloning software using Ubuntu.  “FOG includes unicast/multicast cloning, memory testing, virus scanning, as well as a client side service used to change the computer’s hostname.”  The website offers instructional videos and a download.  I requested to join the Fogproject and I am now classified as a USER.

So, thank you Jake Carmody…you have made my life so much easier!

The next session that I attended was YOU can become a school librarian! Meghan Harper, Ph.D., SLIS Assistant Professor from Kent State University gave the group several ways to earn a Master of Library and Information Science all ONLINE.  Not that I need another Masters Degree, but I thought, this would be an excellent career choice for after 70…after all, I may not want to teach when I am 70, but I could be a Librarian!  And yes, it allows you to be a librarian in schools or Public Libraries.

So, kudos Dr. Harper for showing us how easy it would be to become a librarian.

I ended the day back in the Exhibitor’s Hall.  I wanted to go to one more session, but a vendor with Polyvision (eno boards) kept me talking longer than I expected and I missed the last session of the day.

Even though I only attended 3 sessions, I sure learned a great deal today.  Something I will be able to use.