The Collaborize Classroom team will be at the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Conference in Austin, Texas this week. We can be found in the exhibit hall downstairs at booth 2658, as well as upstairs in a special professional development room with free PD sessions for all educators attending TCEA!  You’ll also want to stop by to get a Starbucks card when you answer a few easy questions. 

Booth 2658 (left side of the exhibit hall, just past Lego Education) –  We’ll have complimentary resources and swag, plus we can set you up with the new mobile app (it won’t cost you a cent) and give you a sneak peak at exciting new features that are coming soon to Collaborize Classroom.

Free PD Sessions in Room M8 (second floor) – All day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we will be hosting exclusive professional development sessions for educators looking to learn more about blended learning, common core state standards, educational technology and engaging students – both online and in-class.  There is limited room and these sessions will fill up fast so be sure to get signed up at booth 2658.

Featured Presenters Include:

Catlin Tucker

• Author of an upcoming blended learning book. High School English teacher, curriculum designer and frequent edtech speaker   @CTuckerEnglish

Colt Briner:

• Co-Creator of Collaborize Classroom and former ESL and Substitute teacher  @WisdomofWe

Susanna Garza

• Coordinator of Instructional Technology, digital resources and career & technical education at Education Service Center, ESC Region 20 in San Antonio, TX    @ESCRegion20

Kenneth Jones

• 8th Grade Literary Arts Facilitator, Spring Middle School   @Eduheretic

Sandra Wozniak

• Retired Teacher, Curriculum Specialist with TregoED   @SanWoz

Wednesday Schedule:

9:30-10:15: 7 Steps to Successful Online Discussions by Catlin Tucker

Transform traditional classes into dynamic learning communities with online discussions that will improve discourse, increase participation and engage higher level thinking skills. Attendees will learn strategies and receive resources to support them in: 1) creating a safe space online, 2) building an online community, 3) asking quality questions, 4) supporting students in saying something substantial, 5) defining a realistic role for themselves, 6) having fun with multimedia, & 7) weaving online work into the classroom.

10:45-11:30: Don’t Just Flip Your Classroom, Transform It by Catlin Tucker

Flip your instruction! Present content online for students to view and discuss. Use class time to create student-centered learning opportunities that encourage communication and collaboration! Learn how mobile devices and QR codes can be used to amplify curiosity and engage students.

LUNCH  (and Q&A time) 

12:30-1:15: Fighting Engagement Deficit Disorder with Blended Instruction by Catlin Tucker

Re-engage students who have mentally checked out with these fun instructional strategies that blend work done online with the work done in the classroom to effectively put students in the center of the learning process. Your students are technology natives, so use technology to maximize their interest and appeal to their senses. Discover how online discussions, flipping your instruction, using mobile devices and assigning creative projects online can excite curiosity and increase engagement while teaching communication and collaboration skills.

1:45-2:30: If Socrates Had the Internet  by Colt Briner

Inspire higher-level thinking and encourage students to articulate a strong position on an issue or topic. Get creative and meaningful engagement from your students using the Socratic method.  The asynchronous nature of online discussions provides perfect platform for every student to have a valued voice in the class dialogue.  Learn techniques today that you can use tomorrow.

3:00-3:45: Safe, Structured, and Free Online Book Clubs by Ken Jones, Spring Forest Middle School

Create a culture of reading in your class and on your campus. Encourage students to read for pleasure, begin a thoughtful dialogue about literature, provide students with an opportunity to think critically and practice reading strategies. Join us to learn how you can effectively teach digital citizenship, build relationships and engage more students with an online book club.

Thursday Schedule:

9:30-10:15: 7 Steps to Successful Online Discussions  by Catlin Tucker

Transform traditional classes into dynamic learning communities with online discussions that will improve discourse, increase participation and engage higher level thinking skills. Attendees will learn strategies and receive resources to support them in: 1) creating a safe space online, 2) building an online community, 3) asking quality questions, 4) supporting students in saying something substantial, 5) defining a realistic role for themselves, 6) having fun with multimedia, & 7) weaving online work into the classroom.

10:45-11:30: Don’t Just Flip Your Classroom, Transform It by Catlin Tucker

Flip your instruction! Present content online for students to view and discuss. Use class time to create student-centered learning opportunities that encourage communication and collaboration! Learn how mobile devices and QR codes can be used to amplify curiosity and engage students.

LUNCH (and Q&A time) 

12:30-1:15: Students Write More and You Grade Less with Online Discussions by Catlin Tucker

Do you want your students to write more, but don’t know how you would grade it all? Use online discussions and group collaboration to support a variety of writing assignments and spend a fraction of the time grading. Learn how to use your Collaborize Classroom site to get students writing more to address the Core Common Standards across the curriculum: English, history, science and math!

1:45-2:30: STAAR Success for Digital Learners: Secondary English and Social Studies by Suzzana Garza

Make the transition to STAAR easier with online discussions. Address readiness and supporting standards using Collaborize Classroom to drive 21st century learning. Teach technology and media literacy while providing students more opportunities to develop their reading, writing, communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills. More effectively prepare your students for life beyond high school!

3:00-3:45: Reach for the STAARs with Engaging Online Discussions! by Sandra Wozniak

Discover the synergy created when using engaging online discussion platforms to get your students thinking and writing across the curriculum.  Use 21st century skills and higher order thinking questions to increase the depth of understanding and quality of student writing without increasing your workload.

Friday Schedule:

8:00 – 9:00 Generation Linked: Collaborative Tools Reach the Core by Sandra Wozniak

Join our workshop featuring the ISTE Technology Innovation Award winning lesson, “Who Owns History,” utilizing a number of collaborative web tools such as SCAN, Collaborative Classroom, Wallwisher, etc.  Learn how teachers developed and implemented this lesson integrating LA and social studies to reach the TEK Standards and how you can use these tools in your classroom. Lessons, links, resources and free trial subscription provided.

10:15-11:15 SCAN: 4 Steps to Better Writing by Sandra Wozniak

SCAN is a proven critical thinking strategy used to develop a better understanding of complex issues in social studies, science or literature.  In this workshop, participants will learn the four step strategy and how to use the online SCAN tool and other web 2.0 tools to help students become better thinkers and better writers.  Lessons, links, and resources provided.

Our Product Development Manager, Bill Takacs, will be giving out Starbucks cards in the PD Room as well. All you have to do is tell him how we can improve Collaborize Classroom and build a better product for you!

Don’t miss the following opportunities to learn, collaborate and engage with us and fellow educators.  We look forward to seeing you there!