Ed Tech Professional Development will be the focus of he Annual Computer-Using Educators (CUE) Conference in Palm Springs March 15-17, 2012.
More than 3,500 attendees will descend on the Palm Springs Convention Center to take part in the three-day educational technology extravaganza that boasts 150 vendors and over 200 booths. Attendees will participate in concurrent sessions and hands-on workshops to learn about the latest technological innovations for the classroom.
The conference’s diverse program offerings are not just geared toward K20 classroom educators. One of the many reasons this event is so popular and well attended is that there are workshops and topics from across the educational spectrum – for teachers to administrators to IT directors. There is something for everyone, and each year, thousands flock to the desert to find out what is new and what is being done creatively with technology.
This year, CUE caught up with several registered attendees to find out what they are most looking forward to seeing and doing at this year’s CUE Conference:
- For Alan Lutz, teacher at St. John’s Middle School in Orange, this trip to the desert will mark his 26th consecutive CUE Conference. “We just started using iPads at our school this year, and I’m looking for ideas on how to make the program better next year. I also want to look for new ideas for using our Promethean boards as well as the other interactive technologies we have at our school.”
- Dr. Christine Olmstead, Principal of Arovista Elementary in Brea, says she is excited to learn about “flipped teaching, common core and project-based learning.”
- Mike Guerena, Director of Instructional Technology at Encinitas Union School District is “hoping to learn more about how others are using iPads in the classroom and checking out the new technologies in the exhibit hall.”
- Andrew Schwab, Director of IT at East Side Union High School District, states: “As an IT Director, I’m looking forward to seeing the latest and greatest innovative uses of technology in the classroom and meeting up with fellow educators passionate about student learning in the 21st century.”
On-site registration opens Wednesday from 4:00-7:00pm, continuing Thursday and Friday morning at 7:00 a.m. This year’s conference will feature keynote speaker Diane Ravitch, noted educational historian and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, speaking for the first time on educational technology. Other keynotes include Randy Nelson and Marco Torres.
Educational heroes will be recognized through the CUE Awards program, several CUE Live! interviews will be published online, 2012 board candidates will be introduced, the 12th Annual California Student Technology Showcase will occur, and for the first time, there will be CUE Karaoke!