Educators Main Educators at TCEA

This yr marked my fourth time presenting on the TCEA (Texas Computer Educators Association) Conference and Exposition held in San Antonio, Texas the place there have been greater than 700 classes to select from. TCEA is a particular area for educators to attach and construct their networks.

Mock Schedules

TCEA places collectively mock schedules centered on the completely different roles of educators resembling classroom academics, IT, leaders, and librarians, or with a particular deal with SEL or STEM, particular populations, and different necessary matters in schooling. Having the ability to take a look at a pattern schedule helps any attendee however undoubtedly, a first-time attendee to construct a schedule centered on their particular pursuits and wishes for skilled studying. 

Energy Hours

Every day began with a Energy Hour with a featured speaker. A couple of included:

Presenting

I introduced a number of classes on synthetic intelligence, rising tech like NFTs, blockchain, the metaverse, and augmented and digital actuality. I additionally introduced and attended a number of classes on SEL. As a presenter, I study a lot from attendees and I sit up for these alternatives to attach. I additionally get pleasure from sharing some versatile instruments for educators like BookWidgets and StoryJumper which have been new to many. The interactions in classes result in new connections and spark curiosity in new areas for academics who stroll away feeling extra assured in diving into a few of these new matters and traits.

Considered one of my displays centered on Chart A New Course: Educating Important Expertise

Different audio system and classes included:

The Poster Classes

Poster classes are an effective way to absorb a number of new concepts in a brief period of time. Having the ability to work together one-on-one and ask questions particular to your wants in these subject areas actually does make a distinction. There have been poster classes for CTE, Librarians, Skilled Studying, STEM, CTE, and content material areas. Generally it may be powerful to determine which classes to attend at a convention, however there have been alternatives in all places, particularly by means of the poster classes.

Panel and Roundtable Discussions

There have been roundtable and panel discussions held every day on matters resembling fairness, customized skilled studying, sustainability, and actually related focus factors for educators.  Every day had quite a lot of panel discussions centered on points related to classroom academics, educators, and librarians and offered an interesting area to ask questions and make new connections.

The Exhibit Corridor

The exhibit corridor hosts many alternatives to work together with cutting-edge applied sciences and new concepts for STEM and rising applied sciences.  This inculuded the Escape Room bus, the Esports space, and naturally the infinite swag that was obtainable to attendees.  There was a number of curiosity in STEM-related sources resembling Ozobot, Sphero, Marty the Robot,  and extra hands-on studying supplies for youthful college students like this studying mat from Lively Ground.

Esports was widespread this yr with a number of classes occurring in addition to an area within the expo for attendees to absorb the esports expertise. All through the corridor, there have been sales space demos by educators sharing their experiences of utilizing a few of the instruments like Book Creator, Edpuzzle, Kami, and Spaces EDU, and lots of cubicles with reside displays occurring each quarter-hour. Attendees might additionally step inside and take a tour of a totally renovated, 43-foot faculty bus that has grow to be a makerspace on wheels. It’s a STEAM dream come true.

From the welcoming TCEA workers and volunteers to the great educator expertise for all learners,  next year’s conference held February 3-7, 2024 in Austin, Texas shall be one you’ll not need to miss.