This is a guest post from Amy Moe, Instructional Technology Specialist at Pine Meadow Elementary School. Need a scholarship to attend a conference or participate in Professional Development? Apply today! 

I was able to attend the TIES conference with support from CMLE. This was beneficial for me in my first year as an instructional technology specialist.  The sessions available covered a wide variety of programs, implementation and tools. It was valuable to see that some are currently being used in my home district while giving the opportunity to explore new ideas as well.

“What’s My Story” was the theme of the conference.  Two keynote speakers focused on the power of sharing your vision and voice with the world.  Social media is one way this can happen.  I attended sessions on a variety of topics during the two-day conference including Makerspace, Google applications, library skills and apps to use with green screen (DoInk and Touchcast).  

I am most excited to share Touchcast with my staff.  This is an application that allows students to create a video “telling their story”.  Green screen capabilities can assist students in changing the setting of their story.  Other options can be included such as maps, lists, photos, polls and much, much more.  Teacher tech team members were excited to explore the capabilities of Touchcast and will help introduce to the entire staff in January.  I can already envision projects at each grade level happening-from facts about Minnesota to insect life cycles to book reviews.

It was also clear that collaboration with teachers in the areas of art, music, and physical education are possible.  I am excited to explore opportunities to integrate technology into these areas. The Winter Olympics is world-wide event that could provide just that.  I am also thinking of ways to collaborate with special activities for art appreciation, music in our schools month, and coding.