MACUL: Presenting!

Would you believe me if I told you that I was a very shy child growing up?  I remember one summer at camp, I was in a theater class (don't know what I was thinking!) and even though I was just playing a barn animal, I was terrified to get on stage!  And in 6th or 7th grade (middle school is all a blur) we had to give a speech a month.  Except I was so terrified of public speaking, that I would be absent the day of and the day after, so I could turn in a written copy instead of actually speak!  I didn't actually give my first speech until junior year of high school, that's how terrified I was.

Which makes what I'm about to say somewhat of a shock, at least to me.

I LOVED presenting at Macul!  It was So. Much. Fun!

I think it also helps that most people at Macul are there because they want to be, and are looking to learn things they want to learn - way different, unfortunately, than most professional development provided by schools.

The first presentation for this year was right after the opening keynote.  It was about Twitter for Teachers - beginner twitter, that is!  I loved this session because like in class, there were so many lightbulbs going off throughout our hour together!  I love being able to expose people to tools that can have such drastic impact on their educational practices!

Friday morning, one of my colleagues and I opened the day with an 8:30 presentation on Tech Lab.  This is something we created this year, and as it's a work in progress, we wanted to share it with others who might be interested.  It was one of those interactive sessions, as the audience was encouraged to share their ideas, too!  

Tech Lab is basically a weekly "special" that my third graders, and her second graders, get together to learn about different technology tools.  Projects we've done include coding unplugged, Scratch Jr., App Reviews, and creating presentations on Google Slides.  It's been such an exciting journey and it was great to share with others!

At this point, we were able to get to ONE session.  Again, it was well worth it, though, spending much of my Macul time presenting and supporting my students.

My final presentation was a favorite one, as I've done it twice before in my district.  I like to call it "iPad as Teacher's BFF" and sharing how my iPad has become my right hand, and simplified life in my classroom is always fun.

Leaving Macul is always bittersweet.  I feel like I'm leaving behind an extended family that is a huge part of my world, despite the fact that I only see most of them on twitter.  On the upside, when I leave, I always leave with "new friends" in my circles than with which I came, and I always feel energized from connecting with "old friends" that I usually only "see" via twitter.

Technology may be a pretty big deal, but it was clear this year, as it is always year, that education isn't about the technology, it's about the relationships.  And Macul?  A wonderful place to build relationships!

See you in Grand Rapids in 2016!

Goals: MACUL

My first MACUL experience was two years ago when it was at Cobo.  That would be, um, March 2013.  It was Ah-May-Zing!  I felt like I was home!  Surrounded by people who are interested in educational technology from those taking their first venture in to those with enviable experience - those two days were magical!

I went with my friend Erica, who was teaching at a private school in Lake Orion at the time.  On our drive home from day two, I remember very clearly saying that next year, I'd present, and the following year, when it was back at Cobo, I'd bring a student showcase.

Welp.  Here we are.  March 2015.  Back at Cobo.  Goals?  Smashed.


In Grand Rapids at MACUL 2014, I presented two sessions.  One was a two-hour hands on session on classroom websites.  The second was a one hour session on taking baby steps into the world of educational technology.  It was nerve-wracking, presenting to peers from across the state and beyond, but, once again, I found myself among my "peeps," those who are looking to gain more knowledge and experience in the world of educational technology.

That's goal two, checked off the list.

This year.  MACUL 2015.  Back at Cobo.  Goal? Bring a student showcase.  Met goal?

Nope.

Smashed it out of the park.

Not only did I present three sessions, I also had TWO student showcases.  One on Thursday for the regular showcase, and one on Friday, as a part of MACULs first ever MakerSpace.

Let me tell you, I may not be a parent, but watching my Thinkers sharing their learning experiences with completely strangers?  I did tear up.  Multiple times.  They blew me away.  But that's a whole different post.

It was a bit surreal, to see my goals realized like that.  But now I get to set new ones..... Key note?  Featured presenter?  Not sure yet, but I do know, come Grand Rapids 2016, I'll be back with student showcases, presentations, and this time around, I get to help organize the MakerSpace!