FETC 2001 Overview
For the last 21 years, the Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC) has provided a venue where teachers, media specialists, principals, and district administrators can come together, not only to review the latest technological trends, but also to share successful curriculum integration practices and strategies. Each year over 12,000 conference-g'ers choose from hundreds of concurrent sessions, workshops, and vendor exhibits. This year's program has a strong emphasis on classroom practices that combine technology with educational standards. FETC 2001 takes place in Orlando, Fla. at the Orange County Convention Center from January 11-13.
The conference opens with a first timer's session, which serves as an orientation for those who have never attended FETC. This year, more than 200 concurrent sessions providing awareness and training in educational technology will be offered. The sessions focus on educators sharing their working knowledge of successful practices. A variety of featured speaker sessions promise to provide advice and leadership. The keynote speaker this year will be Dave Barry, columnist for the Miami Herald. Other featured speakers stem from diverse backgrounds, such as prominent computer companies, Palm Beach County Schools and the U.S. Department of Education. Some of the featured speakers include:
- Douglas Johnson, director of Media and Technology for Mankato Public Schools in Minnesota, author and columnist.
- Ian Jukes, director of the InfoSavvy Group and the Committed Sardine Web site, teacher, administrator, consultant and writer.
- Melinda Crowley, manager for Planning and Budget in the Division of Technology of the Florida Department of Education and the Florida state E-Rate coordinator.
- Bernice Stafford, vice president of School Marketing and Evaluation and a Lightspan co-founder.
- Cheryl Ved'e, vice president of Education Marketing and Solutions for Apple.
- Jim Sheehan, chief information officer for the Palm Beach County School District and member of the FETC Board of Directors.
- Chris Dede, professor, editor, researcher and committee member of the International Steering Committee for the Second International Technology in Education study.
Professional development workshops featuring local and national experts offering a variety of full- and half-day demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences serve as further training opportunities for attendees. This year, T.H.E. Institute is pleased to offer 73 three- and six-hour workshops at the conference. These information-packed workshops offer a chance for conference attendees to learn new skills and strategies, create new materials, and explore topics in more depth than time allows in a conference session. They will also help educators, regardless of whether attendees possess beginning, intermediate or advanced technology skills, to meet the demands of state and national standards for technology skills and curriculum. Workshops require an extra enrollment fee and have limited seating.
Conference-g'ers may also peruse the products displayed by over 300 companies in the 245,000 square feet of space of the convention Exhibit Hall. Here, attendees may browse and purchase the latest educational technology products. After a full day of conference sessions, workshops and exhibits, there will be a chance to unwind with fellow peers on the eve of January 12 at the FETC dance located in the Rosen Centre Hotel Ballroom.
Before departure for FETC, or when trying to decide which educational conferences to attend, consult T.H.E. Journal's EdTech Conference Planner site. The page provides a wealth of conference data that allow users to choose events that best suit their preferences. Included among the site's database are listings of shows that have a strong technology track, and that draw participation by those that influence the use of technology. This site provides conference-g'ers with the ability to choose shows based on location, target audience, attendees by job responsibility, and show size. Users may also link directly to show sites and send e-mail to the conference managers.
For the last 21 years, the Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC) has provided a venue where teachers, media specialists, principals, and district administrators can come together, not only to review the latest technological trends, but also to share successful curriculum integration practices and strategies. Each year over 12,000 conference-g'ers choose from hundreds of concurrent sessions, workshops, and vendor exhibits. This year's program has a strong emphasis on classroom practices that combine technology with educational standards. FETC 2001 takes place in Orlando, Fla. at the Orange County Convention Center from January 11-13.
The conference opens with a first timer's session, which serves as an orientation for those who have never attended FETC. This year, more than 200 concurrent sessions providing awareness and training in educational technology will be offered. The sessions focus on educators sharing their working knowledge of successful practices. A variety of featured speaker sessions promise to provide advice and leadership. The keynote speaker this year will be Dave Barry, columnist for the Miami Herald. Other featured speakers stem from diverse backgrounds, such as prominent computer companies, Palm Beach County Schools and the U.S. Department of Education. Some of the featured speakers include:
- Douglas Johnson, director of Media and Technology for Mankato Public Schools in Minnesota, author and columnist.
- Ian Jukes, director of the InfoSavvy Group and the Committed Sardine Web site, teacher, administrator, consultant and writer.
- Melinda Crowley, manager for Planning and Budget in the Division of Technology of the Florida Department of Education and the Florida state E-Rate coordinator.
- Bernice Stafford, vice president of School Marketing and Evaluation and a Lightspan co-founder.
- Cheryl Ved'e, vice president of Education Marketing and Solutions for Apple.
- Jim Sheehan, chief information officer for the Palm Beach County School District and member of the FETC Board of Directors.
- Chris Dede, professor, editor, researcher and committee member of the International Steering Committee for the Second International Technology in Education study.
Professional development workshops featuring local and national experts offering a variety of full- and half-day demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences serve as further training opportunities for attendees. This year, T.H.E. Institute is pleased to offer 73 three- and six-hour workshops at the conference. These information-packed workshops offer a chance for conference attendees to learn new skills and strategies, create new materials, and explore topics in more depth than time allows in a conference session. They will also help educators, regardless of whether attendees possess beginning, intermediate or advanced technology skills, to meet the demands of state and national standards for technology skills and curriculum. Workshops require an extra enrollment fee and have limited seating.
Conference-g'ers may also peruse the products displayed by over 300 companies in the 245,000 square feet of space of the convention Exhibit Hall. Here, attendees may browse and purchase the latest educational technology products. After a full day of conference sessions, workshops and exhibits, there will be a chance to unwind with fellow peers on the eve of January 12 at the FETC dance located in the Rosen Centre Hotel Ballroom.
Before departure for FETC, or when trying to decide which educational conferences to attend, consult T.H.E. Journal's EdTech Conference Planner site. The page provides a wealth of conference data that allow users to choose events that best suit their preferences. Included among the site's database are listings of shows that have a strong technology track, and that draw participation by those that influence the use of technology. This site provides conference-g'ers with the ability to choose shows based on location, target audience, attendees by job responsibility, and show size. Users may also link directly to show sites and send e-mail to the conference managers.