Tag Archives: ITEM

Local Media Center Celebrities at ITEM Conference!

As ITEM conference participants convened in the banquet hall for the Friday luncheon, everyone quickly realized that the time would not be simply devoted to eating. Not in the least! This time slot also included an important awards ceremony, which included two individuals from schools in the CMLE region. Hearty congratulations to Zoma Olson and Pam Beckermann for the titles of Media Assistant of the Year and Media Specialist of the Year (respectively).

These awards are well deserved and CMLE staff extend heartfelt congratulations! Well done.

Zoma
Zoma Olson, Elk River High School, Media Assistant of the Year.
P1070092
Pam Beckermann, Dassel-Cokato Middle School, Media Specialist of the Year

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