The Daring Librarian

I'm putting the finishing touches on my presos for the MSET Conference , in Baltimore next week! Of course one of them is QR Code focused! (more on that below) The AWEsome Nick Ford may be the undisputed Captain of the QR Code Galaxy but I declare I'm the official QR Code Librarian for the movement! Zing! I'm so honoured & excited to have been asked to be a featured speaker at this my "hometown" ISTE affiliate technology conference - this will be my 14th consecutive appearance - as MSET (formerly MICCA) was where I got my start speaking about my passion for educational and being an agent of change. " This year's MSET conference will be filled with inspiring professional development workshops, concurrent sessions, and thought provoking keynote speakers to enhance your professional knowledge and skills. The MSET Market Place will provide an opportunity to check out the latest tech products and services. See live demos and speak with repres...

Last year I blogged about EduCon from my couch whilst the snow piled up outside around me and I vicariously enjoyed & participated in this innovative concept for an exchange of ideas. This year I'm not only going but I'm honored to be involved with two different conversations. More about that below! You may ask what is EduCon, an unconference, and why a conversation? A Conversation NOT a Presentation: Viva la Unconference! My gorgeous mentor Joyce Valenza has written a must-read SLJ article about the EduCon unconference experience: "It's networking at its best," says Valenza. "It's critical, especially, that librarians network. It's clear to me that nobody knows who we are. I don't think we've gotten the word out. But we can't be in our buildings alone anymore." Dare to be Out There! More than ever we need to be "out there" not only in our school, local districts but on the state & national level. If you have ...

Now, I know being on the Board of Directors of ISTE means I'm a wee bit biased...But they don't pay me and I've been an avid ISTE association fan & member since I attended my first NECC conference in 2007 - Atlanta - where Kathy Schrock first introduced to me the virtual world of Second Life! I'd been presenting every year at my state affiliate MICCA now MSET since 1996 but had never had the $ or the gumption to go to the "big show until 2007...when I finally decided that saving all year for the conference was the best investment in my professional growth...and yeah, I think it has worked out pretty well! [grin] ISTE is committed to being a vibrant vehicle and support for change agents & EdTech professionals around the globe. As leaders of the cutting edge they keep adding cool new stuff that makes being a member of the LARGEST EdTech association in the WORLD even better ! A brand NEW re-vamped website....with all kinds of great new features! Live! Chat ...

I am so glad that our ISTE affiliate changed its name from MICCA, which stood for the "Maryland Instructional Computers Coordinators Association to MSET - the Maryland Society for Educational Technology because though it was easier to say MICCA it really did NOT reflect the new 21st century technology shifts or leave room for new innovation. Every year for the past fourteen years I've presented and attended the MICCA conference and it's part of what has made me who i am as a technology educator. Because we've had the opportunity in Maryland to see people like Will Richardson, Kathy Shrock, Hal Davidson, and of course my personal hero...Joyce Valenza and to LEARN cool new cutting edge things and get our minds blown and we only had to drive to Baltimore to do it. It was here that i first heard about Second Life, Wiki's, and web 2.0 tools. And got inspired to dive in and try those new things in my own world. So...in the same year that formerly NECC or the National Ed...

Prizes! Interactive! Collaborative! 1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Session 3 - Room 327 Baltimore Convention Center This interactive, energetic, sharing session will highlight the best new tools in a variety of categories. Members of a panel of technology educators from several different counties, subjects areas, and grade levels will share their top picks and invite audience members to contribute by coming to a central microphone. All ideas generated will be added to a Learning Tools Smackdown session wiki , the MSET Ning and shared with the community! Smackdown Panelists: Andrea Christman Melissa Grabill Kyra Kreinbrook Geordie Paulus - MICCA Outstanding Technology Leader 2009 Matthew Winner Danielle Dunn Gwyneth Jones - The Daring Librarian Aaron Smith - The Art Guy and Selena Ward - The Tech Tiger! adjunct Smackdown contributer: Brenda Anderson - ISTE Professional Development Chair Imagine, Innovate, Inspire: Piecing Together My Learning Journey will share their picks fo...

Relax & Play in our Digital Sandbox Want to take a comfortable break from the conference hubbub? Need to recharge your laptop? Have something to share, but for whatever reason you are not scheduled for a concurrent session? Consider stepping up to the open mic at our Digital Sandbox, the UN conference side of the MSET Conference. Or just stop by and listen as your colleagues share their ideas at the MSET Digital Sandbox! Presentation equipment and internet connection will be available. Please sign up here on the MSET Ning by leaving a comment if you're interested in being either a Digital Sandbox lifeguard for an hour, presenter, or both!! It's gonna be the coolest, Daddy-O! GoAnimate.com : MSET Digital Sandbox by gwyneth Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com . It's free and fun! and ps. if you recognize the bloggers' cafe beatnik theme it's cause: 1. it's state standardized testing month here in Maryland 2. i like beatnik style 3. i'm occasional...

MSET, (formerly MICCA), is an ISTE affiliate and organization for everyone interested in Technology and Education. Breaking NEWS! We just started our own Ning ! If you're a Maryland technology educator please join us ! It's a wonderful community of learners and the yearly conferences held at the convention center in Baltimore have set the standard for cutting edge professional development in the state of Maryland. We've had the shakers and movers of technology education as keynote speakers and concurrent session leaders (like Will Richardson below [swoon]) . ..and it just keeps getting better! New at the MSET10 conference this year! Digital Sandbox This year at MSET we are planning on holding a Digital Sandbox at the conference. A Digital Sandbox is a gathering place to relax, recharge your laptops, and hang out with your friends. It's part Bloggers' Cafe and part stand up for geeks. Have something to share, but for whatever reason you are not scheduled for...