MLTI Student Tech Team Conference

Registration is now closed as we've reached capacity! If you have any questions, please contact Juanita at juanita.deschambault@maine.gov

2008 Focus: M-STEM (Maine Learners, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Friday May 30, 2008

Registration closes Monday May 19, 2008 or when total registration reaches 600.

Engaging University of Maine Faculty and Students, MLTI Students, and MLTI Educators in a Partnership for Learning

The MLTI Student Tech Team Conference is a chance for educators, students, and community members to come together as a team for learning.

Please note - schools do not need to have an "established Student Tech Team" or "established iTeam" to benefit from this great conference. All are welcome, and the more kids, the better!

As in past years, the conference is designed for hands on participation. Students and teachers should bring their MLTI iBooks. Please see more specifications below.

We would like to extend our thanks to the University of Maine at Orono, and especially to the The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department for their help in making this conference possible.

Session Description & Times

Click here to get more logistical information.

General Schedule: see detailed schedule and session description

• Registration: 8:15 AM - 9:00 AM
  
• Opening Gathering: 9:00 AM - 9:20 AM
  
• First Block of Sessions: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
  
• Second Block of Sessions: 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM
  
• Lunch (Bring a lunch or eat in the Marketplace): 11:45 AM - 12:50 PM
  
• Third Block of Sessions: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  
• Closing and DOORPRIZES: 2:10 PM - 2:40 PM

Registration:

• Please register all attending students and adults. The registration fee is $5 per person (Adults and Students) See immediately below for where to send your payment.
• Please have one adult participant present for every five(5) students attending.
• In order to register you will need participant's first and last name.
• This link will is now live - Conference Registration is open as of April 17, 2008
  • (Some registrants may experiences issues if using Safari as their browser. We recommend you use Firefox when opening the registration to avoid any problems.)

Payment:

• Registration Cost- $5 per person for Conference Registration
• Make Conference Registration checks out to: Treasurer, State of Maine
• Mail those checks to: MLTI Office, Department of Education, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
• Lunch Costs: Be sure to bring your own lunch on the big day, or lunch money for eating at the Marketplace Here's what the UMaine web site says about The Marketplace (Memorial Union)--"Offers a wide variety of choices, food-court style. Please estimate that a high school student should have around $10; an entree is generally between $3 and $5, plus a drink, snack, or dessert.")

Purpose:

• To learn to organize and/or improve a Student Tech Team with students and adults as active participants.
• To acquire both technical and interpersonal skills for supporting others as their school communities increase their utilization of MLTI technology as an educational tool. Like the MLTI itself, this conference is not only about the computers and the wireless networks - it is about what can be done with them...
• To support Student Tech Team members in becoming on-the-scene advocates for richer use of the iBooks in classrooms and communities across the state.
• Effective Student Tech Team members need to know more than how to fix iBook technical issues or how a piece of software works. They need to be aware of the "why" of the MLTI as well as the "how." Because of this, the technical skills featured will not only include troubleshooting skills but also creative integrations of the MLTI iBooks that can be applied across the curriculum. So while participants will find some sessions that focus on "making the machines work," there will be plenty of sessions that will introduce them to new software tools that do amazing things, as well as amazing new ways to use some of the applications that have become the workhorses of the MLTI. There will also be sessions that have no immediate connection to the MLTI devices, but will provide inspiration for participants of all ages as Maine continues to develop its understanding of how to best harness the incredible potential represented by the MLTI.
• By modeling effective interpersonal skills, all presenters will help participants understand how important it is to not only know how to do something, but also to be able to pass that knowledge on to someone else without making that person feel "dumb" or less than competent. Effective Student Tech Team Members don't simply "fix problems," they help their school community "build capacity."
• The original call to potential presenters asked folks to create sessions that might produce these kinds of comments from participants at the end of the day:

  
  "Wow - that was cool! I learned how to do some great stuff."
  "The kids loved it. And I learned a trick or two as well. I wonder if we could..."
  "I never knew I could do that... I'll have to play around with that."
  "Hmmm... that looks like a college I could have some fun at."
  "I guess I am pretty good at working with this computer."
  "I hope I remember everything I learned!"
  "Hey, let me show you something I learned in that last session."
  "I hope they do this again next year!"

• To visit a college campus and become better acquainted with a technology-rich department such as the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Maine, Orono in which MLTI students can see themselves spending their college years.
• To make connections with folks from around the state and to have fun.
  
  

Who Should Attend:

• Adults and students interested in forming a Student Tech Team.
• Adults interested in Student Tech Team organization and students interested in participating in one.
• Educators, parents, and community members who are interested in learning more about Student Tech Teams and the skills they are learning to utilize.
  
• Adults and students interested in gaining a better understanding of what the iBooks can do in order to encourage others in their school to use the devices more effectively.
  
  

Logistics

Location: UMaine - Orono, Maine

Date: Friday May 30, 2008

TImes: 8:15 AM - 2:40 PM (see General Schedule below)

Food: Lunch will be on your own - The Marketplace at UMaine, located in the Student Center, offers great food, amazing choices, and a real sense of "college life." Here's what the UMaine web site says about The Marketplace (Memorial Union)--"Offers a wide variety of choices, food-court style. Please estimate that a high school student should have around $10; an entree is generally between $3 and $5, plus a drink, snack, or dessert."

Supervision: Please bring one adult for every five students.

Parking: Parking is available and passes will be available digitally before the conference. More details to follow...

Hotels: Local lodging information for those traveling from long distances... (NOTE: In all likelihood, mentioning "UMaine" and "conference" when talking with these hotels & motels can make a significant difference in rates)

Technical Requirements

• Teachers and students should bring their MLTI iBooks in order to participate in hands-on sessions.
• At least one adult should have the school's Admin password in case of difficulties with network connections. NOTE: If the adult does not know the password already set on the machines, the iBooks going to this event should be configured with a generic admin password for the day. Then when the iBooks are back at school, the school's admin password can be restored by the tech lead.
  

Other:

• Certificates of participation will be given to students.
  
• Educators will receive 6 contact hours for their participation.
  
• Questions? Contact Jim Moulton via the MaineLearns Contact Page

Registration is now closed as we've reached capacity!

If you have any questions, please contact Juanita at juanita.deschambault@maine.gov