Becky's+TCEA+Notes

While at TCEA I learned so much! I am going to share with you just a few of the wonderful ideas I am wanting to integrate into my class ASAP. I will be adding to my page as I sort through all of my notes.

=**//__QTopia __//**=

QTopia is an incentive based way to get your kids to do their homework or even just "extra work." First of all the site is web based, which means kids can have access at home or at school. The incentive for the kids is that they get to make their own Avatar. As they do their work and as they are successful, QTopia gives the kids "money." They can use this "money" to buy their Avatar cooler accessories. So when they show their friends what cool new sunglasses, hair, outfit, etc... their Avatar has their friends want it to. The cycle continues and we have kids doing work they normally wouldn't do. At the end of the presentation we got to pick an Avatar that best describes our view on technology and education, I picked Sadie Nuff. Our quote "Education and communication go hand-in-hand!"

[|QTopia]

I was also impressed with all of the different classes offered at other schools. Several of the classes I attended had the Technology Applications teacher making the presentation. His/Hejob was to teach about all of the different types of technology and different presentation tools. They do not teach keyboarding in Jr. High it is done at the Elementary level. I went to a workshop on Animations. This is a 4 year course taught at the High School level. With all of the gaming systems in place I think our kids would LOVE a class about what it takes to make the games and make good ones. I was also impressed with the fact that one of my presenters was a 1st grade teacher, she loves technology and is able to apply it to her young students.

Of course I was very impressed with the digital picture frames and the new and improved way to host a Science Fair. See Abi's page for informaiton on these 2 exciting opportunities.

A few quotes Iup:

"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow."  John Dewey

"Teachers need to stop saying "hand it in" and start saying "publish it."

Suzzane please share the card I gave you about touring the school and learning how they have gone one to one and how technology is a huge part of what school is all about.



I went to a workshop with Dodie Maddox, she is the Campus Instructional Technologist at Southwest ISD. I loved her ideas for projects. She likes to let the kids choose which projects they want to do in an interesting ways. Check out her website. Click on Digital Project Menus. It is blocked at school, but hopefully not for long!

http://tinyurl.com/maddox-tcea