Tag Archives: MEMO

ITEM Conference Recap

The 2014 Information Technology Educators of MN (ITEM) Conference has come and gone and it was a fast-paced, invigorating event. Memorable moments abound, but some of my favorites follow…..

Keynote presenter Naomi Harms, shared her excitement around ideas like student driven passion projects, moonshot thinking,  and genius hours. More about those ideas soon..

Author Jonathan Friesen did a superb job of slowing us down, and grounding us too. He reminded attendees of the importance of connecting with kids within the realm of the heart. Indeed, we need to start with the heart to get to the mind. Kids who feel weak, different, victimized, out of control, or not trustworthy, have hearts  that need to be rescued. Something as simple as saying “I believe in you”, or demonstrating that you genuinely want to know a kid, begin the healing process. Make a profound difference in a child’s life by noticing them.

Apps were heavily discussed and shared…..names John and I  heard often included:

The Minnesota Multitype Library Systems hosted Literary Parlor Games on Friday evening with our Literary Lumberjack Ross Nervig. We are proud to report there was much excitement and buzz as a cash bar, taco bar, friendly game competition and chocolate fountain rounded out the evening! Pssstttt….John made a new friend!

And wait…..there is more…..

Conference Links You Can Use Today!

Did you attend the 2014 ITEM Conference? Share your favorite takeaways in comments…..

 

Why Go to a Library Conference?

Apple BasketThe Information and Technology Educators of MN (ITEM, previously MEMO) conference is thundering down the calendar toward us beginning the first week in October. Then, during the second week in October, the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) Conference crops up! Are you registered?

Ideally, you are able to attend  a library conference of some form at least once a year. If you have a job that counts on you staying up-to-date, a conference is a great way to sharpen your skill set. I understand that professional development dollars are tight, but think beyond the dollars for a moment. Faced with incredibly big jobs, high work expectations beyond what we thought possible, and a world of fast-paced change, why go to a MN library conference?

Here are  my Top 10 Reasons to Register for the ITEM or MLA Fall Conferences Now….

  1. You have an excuse to buy a cool outfit, a new pair of shoes, or gasp…a new bag (even though you have hundreds)
  2. Informal conversations: Whether it be at a lunch table, in the commons area between sessions, or over cocktails at happy hour, a conference is an excellent place to figure out what your peers are worried about, working on, and thinking about. Be brave, strike up a conversation! You can save yourself a ton of time and work by talking to others who will share.
  3. Bags: While in the exhibit area, you have the opportunity to collect yet more bags for your collection of hundreds; some that include cat portraits!
  4. Free books: many companies are handing out free advanced copies of books!
  5. Do you hate talking on the phone with sales people, but need some new products, pricing, or information? Bribe a colleague to go with you (for the free candy) to the exhibit areas, and plan ahead of time how you will exit any sales talk that has gone far enough. Tag teams rule!
  6. Authors: Library conferences always include author talks, and we do love anything an author has to say!
  7. Eyeglasses: Have I mentioned that librarians also love to show off their hip eyewear, and why is it that most of us are almost blind?
  8. Keynotes: Conference planners think long and hard to bring in big names and popular folk that have appeal, and it is rare to be thoroughly disappointed, very rare!
  9. Breakout sessions: There are usually so many to pick from, that you often have a hard time. Me, I intentionally look for the rooms bursting at the seams with people. I want to know what everyone is so geeked up about! If it is something I know very little about, I really should be there! Am hoping for a session on Cosplay.
  10. The evening social event: You will have a blast and get to know the playful side of people. In the past,  the multitype library systems (CMLE is one of them) offered a trivia event, this year at both conferences we are hosting a gaming  night, literary games no less,  with prizes and bragging rights too! Did I mention free food? Can it get better? Geeks rule….

What have I missed? Add it in the comments! Ready to register now?

Go to our handy events table, and click on the appropriate event link to register! Easy…

No Money? A  CMLE scholarship  of up to $200 is yours to use for registration, hotel, mileage, meals, or to subsidize the cost of your employer hiring a substitute worker so you can be away. If you approach your boss to say you have found a way to contribute  $200, they will know you are invested and have taken initiative. The application process is easy, CMLE would love to exhaust its scholarship budget this year on these two conferences alone, so go for it!

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/o4jqtd7, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Save the Date: MEMO Summer Conference

MEMO

MEMO/ITEM* Summer Conference

August 5, 2014

This one day event will be held in conjunction with the Center for Digital Education. In the morning we will have presentations from the Center for Digital Education on trends and topics in education technology.

The afternoon will be devoted to an “unconference” event centered on the theme of leadership for school library media specialists and technology integrationists. More information is forthcoming.

In addition, there are several other professional development opportunities for this summer, including:

  • Creating the Plan: Chromebooks for Learning (in partnership with Bloomington School District – July 17, 2014 – register at chromebook.ties.k12.mn.us
  • Personalizing Curriculum Across a District – May 29, 2014 – register at PCAD.ties.k12.mn.us.

Thank you!

TIES_SpecialWorkshops_handout.pdf

Mary Mehsikomer

MEMO/ITEM President Elect

Highlights From the MEMO March Conference

MEMOConfThe weather was actually decent and the drive to Duluth was easy as I headed to the Conference; a good time to think after a crazy busy week. There were about 50 people in attendance, and a fair number of them were tech integrationists this year, which added a rich element to the event.

The keynote was Mark Garrison,  Tech Director at White Bear Lake Schools.  He also did a breakout session that was somewhat like being on the Mad Mouse roller coaster! Mark was doing live demos of his favorite 50 online sites, and when something didn’t work, he just backed up, said, “who cares” and moved on. I so admire that quality, no fear about any sort of perfection, just learning and sharing. And, trust me, no one will ever sleep in Mark’s classroom! I only say that in the kindest way, he is a very bright, energized guy, and makes you want to just go out and change the world!

According to Mark….” My MEMO keynote expands on the themes of my TEDx  talk (Burnsville) and examines how concepts like the SAMR swimming pool and bridge to 21st Century pedagogies can help us innovate and change education.” Some of my favorite sound bites from Mark’s keynote  include:

  • “When you are hiring people, Google them. If you find nothing, be alarmed, be very alarmed!
  • Boring stuff on an iPad is still boring stuff…
  • What am I willing to disrupt in order to innovate? Disrupt! Model lifelong learning for students!
  • Most people only wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. Get rid of all those extra clothes…old stuff keeps you from innovating!”

Check out Mark’s favorite 50 sites by category!

Unconference Resources: The afternoon was an Unconference….thirty minute session topics were suggested and presented by people in attendance, which is always timely and lively. If you want to see what the topics were, go to http://tinyurl.com/omzvnkz. Note: As you look at the topics, notice that you can click on Notes to see what the groups produced on the topic. I would suggest the Makerspaces and Gamification ones for sure! Lots of links and ideas; excited sharing and brainstorming throughout the thirty minutes. And, excellent notetakers too!

Smackdown Tidbits Too! At the end of the conference, participants were asked to share their favorite tools or ideas. And, those items can be reviewed at http://padlet.com/wall/memospring14

It was a wonderful use of a Saturday. A big thanks to MEMO conference planners for putting together a great event, and sharing the content so willingly with everyone, so I can share it so willingly with you!

 

 

MEMO March Conference Details

MEMOConferenceJoin Us!

Information and technology educators (we mean YOU) are expected to be leaders when it comes to navigating the new territory that is 21st century education, but how do you keep up with it all? By attending this one-day conference in the beautiful city of Duluth, of course! Join us to learn about the latest in technology integration, collaboration, digital resources and more. Our keynote speaker will be Mark Garrison, along with a variety of sessions on Tech Integration, Collaboration, 24/7 Learning,Digital Resources, Digital Footprint and Responsibility and more.
Details
Where? Duluth East High School301 North 40th Ave EastDuluth, MN 55804https://goo.gl/maps/ouJjbWhen?8:00AM – 4:30PM

Saturday March 15, 2014

(Click here to see the schedule for the day)

Keynote

Mark Garrison, an innovative educator and a passionate advocate for technology in education, will present “Technology, Adventure and Change.” Mark will also conduct a session about GarrisonSites.

Sessions

Planned sessions include “There’s an App for That,” “Let’s Get Coding!,” and “The Path to eBooks and the Journey Forward” – and that’s just to name a few! Feel free to bring your own device to join in.

Sounds great! How do I register?

Register online here. Registration is $75 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and all the information and fun you can handle! Bring five or more colleagues from your district and get the bargain price of $65!

What Else?
Need a hotel?The first two of these are the closest. The others are an easy drive away.

The Edge Waterpark

Days Inn on London Road

Holiday Inn Downtown

The Radisson Downtown

The Suites Hotel in Canal Park


And last but not least!

Bring a device and help us tweet this conference – #marchmemo14

MN Educational Media Organization (MEMO)

PO Box 130555

Roseville, Minnesota 55113

MN Educational Media Organization (MEMO)

651-771-8672

admin@memoweb.org