ISTE 2010

Greetings from Denver. I have invaded the Mile High City for the ISTE 2010 conference (it wasn't just about the baseball game). This is the largest education technology conference in the US, with attendees coming from across the country (and even a few international visitors as well). This is the 7th time I've attended the conference, but this was the first time I've presented some of the great things we do at UEN. Tim and I were able to present two different sessions at the conference - here's a quick recap.

Our first presentation was entitled Creating a Google Enhanced Classroom. We focused on six specific tools: Google Squared, Google Forms, GMail, Google Calendar, Google Earth, and Google Wave. With only an hour to share, we had to move quickly. Still, the Google tools are so popular we knew people would be clamoring for all the information we could share. The two biggest "Wow" moments from the audience came in illustrating data captured in a Google Form and building a virtual tour using Google Earth. I think our presentation was well received as we heard from the staff that over 100 people weren't able to get in (I think it has more to do the "Google" title than anything to do with us, but hey....).



Yesterday we presented another Google session - Google Wave for the K-12 Classroom. Once again it was standing room only. We weren't totally sure what the interest level would be in this tool, since it really hasn't taken off yet - but people came in droves. The presentation went well. The participants were "hands-on" as we created a wave for them to ask questions and share ideas. You wouldn't believe how many comments people added to the wave - it was awesome!

Presenting at a national conference has been a goal of mine ever since I got my job at UEN. It may have taken 7 years to check that one off the list, but it was totally worth it. The best part was some of the terrific feedback we received from our sessions. Before the conference I would have said the highlight would be the presentations, but something kind of interesting took place on the final day of the conference.

It seems a book publisher learned of our Google in the Classroom session and they were interested. That's right I met with an agent from their education division about the prospect of writing a book for teachers. Wow! Who knows where this will lead, but I have to say - I'm very excited about the chance to publish some of our ideas.

All in all, it was a great conference. I had fun getting more involved this year by presenting and I love the challenges I've been presented as a result.

Diary of Red Sox Fan: 4 Empty Seats

If last night's game wasn't enough drama for you imagine this:  can a father make it through a five hour game with his two young children and his father in tow?  We'll see in a minute.

Tara volunteered to stay with my mom to watch Dylan, so Kennedy, Alex, Big Al, and I headed back to Coors Field to watch the finale of the series between the Red Sox and Rockies.

This was the first time I've ever taken the kids to a professional game and I wasn't sure what to expect.  I figured if they had enough treats we could make it through the game.  Little did I know the wasn't just any game.  It was an 11 inning, 6 hour marathon.  Needless to say, we were a bit underprepared.

Everything started off well enough.  On the way to our seats Dede and Alex wanted some cotton candy so I thought the first few innings were in the bag.  I forgot about the need for wet wipes.  Rookie mistake.  Lucky for me the woman in front of us heard Kennedy's cries for help and passed us back a few tissues.

Alex didn't quite seem like himself though.  We'd been out most of the day and he was trying to put a brave face on, but he wasn't feeling well.  Most of the game he laid in my lap and tried to sleep.  My dreams of teaching my son about baseball would have to go on hold til next time.  Oh well...

A couple of hours in and I knew Kennedy was reaching her limit.  Large Sprite, Dippin Dots, and three trips to the bathroom and that was it.  We had stayed through the 6th inning and watched the Red Sox give up a 5 run lead.  It was 8-6 Rockies and we were headed out of the park.

Of course you know what happened once we left.  The Red Sox rallied (two Home Runs from Dustin Pedroia) and the game ended 13-11 for Boston.  An epic to be sure.  Still, I got to watch several hours of baseball and my kids got to experience a night in the majors.  Even if it was only at the concessions stand...

Diary of a Red Sox Fan: Denver Double Header

Ok, so we didn't go to a double header.  Rather, we came out to Denver to watch the Sox play back to back games with the Rockies.  For years I've wanted to see Coors Field and the Rockies - once the Sox were headed to Denver, so were we.

I have to admit I figured the Sox were going to lose the game we were going to on Wednesday.  The best pitcher in baseball this season has been Ubaldo Jimenez.  He plays for the Rockies.  He was pitching on Wednesday.  Not to get too geeky on you, but his ERA was right around 1.00 - translation,  no one scores on this guy.  There was a good chance this game would end up with the Sox being shut out.

Then the game started.  The Rockies took an early 4-0 lead and it was looking bad for Boston.  Things started to turn around though as the Sox scored twice.  This could actually be a game.  Everything was going Boston's way in the 6th inning when the Sox took a 6-5 lead.  We had toppled the giant and were in control of the game.

Then came the 9th inning.  Jonathan Papelbon time.

And the frist Rockies homer to tie the game.

Two batters later and the second Rockies home run to end the game.

Final Score - Rockies 8 - Red Sox 6.

Unbelievable.

Courtesy of AP

Photos of the Day: Summer Haircut

A couple days ago Alex said he wanted a new haircut, a summer haircut. So, we fired up the clippers and "BZZZZ!" I love the new look, but Tara was a little sad to see her little boy's hair all over the floor.

Supporting a Former Colt

Today was Primary voting day in Utah. There were two choices on the ballot - the Republican Senate primary between a pair of ultra conservative Tea Party wantabees, and the Democratic 2nd Congressional primary between Jim Matheson and Claudia Wright. I could have cared less about the GOP race (are they really that different from one another?), but I had a long shot candidate in the second contest.

Why should I vote for Claudia Wright?

Does she really have a chance?

Could a liberal Democrat win in November?

I don't really have anything against Jim Matheson. He has been a good representative for the state of Utah. Does he represent me? Not really. But he does represent the majority of people who live within his district - a decidedly Republican district. My vote wasn't against Jim Matheson - my vote was for Claudia Wright.

Claudia Wright was a Social Studies teacher at Cottonwood High School for years and I was fortunate enough to have her as a teacher. She challenged the ways in which I viewed the world - always asking students to look beyond the surface at the deeper issues involved. Claudia is one of the smartest people I have ever known. If we could have more people like her in Washington I know the country would be in good hands.

In the end Matheson won the Primary 68% - 32%, but in my eyes Claudia was victorious. She led a grassroots campaign that took a 5-term congressman to a Primary. She showed all of her former students that she wasn't all talk. A teacher who would rather look at the past than try and impact the future. To me - Ms. Wright was, and always has been, a winner!

Father's Day Photo

A little love for dad on his big day.

Diary of a Utah Fan - Pac 10 Bound

The news became official last week - the University of Utah is moving to the Pac 10 as it expands to 12 teams. The rumors of the move had been active for several months, but they really picked up steam about a month ago. Still, the past week had several twists and turns, each one spelling the Utes being left out in the cold. When all was said and done, the Utes were in and I can't tell you how exciting all of this is up on campus. The move will mean expanded resources for the university, the athletics programs, and most importantly - the fans! Can you imagine going on a conference road trip to play USC at the Coliseum, instead of to Laramie to play the Cowboys?

The key to the move has to be our football program. With a 7-3 record since 2003 against the Pac 10, 2 BCS Bowl wins, 9 straight bowl victories, and an ever-increasing national presence the Utes became a likely candidate to move up to a larger conference. Time will tell if we can compete with the big boys week in and week out, but I like our chances once we get settled into the mix. All I know for certain is this - I hope my season ticket request goes through, this is going to be one hot ticket in 2011!

Poor BYU

On Utah joining the Pac 10

"It's a day BYU supporters wish would never have arrived, but it's here. BYU will continue to occupy its place among the best schools and athletic programs in the country, but will do so in a way that is deemed by some to be "secondary" to an instate rival that attracts fewer fans, TV viewers and radio listeners, and boasts less national appeal." - Greg Wrubell (Voice of Cougar Football)

Is this the definition of sour grapes or what?

One Small Step

It may have only been a few small steps, but it was a giant leap forward for Dylan. A few days ago, Big D decided he could walk.

And he did.

He could only take a few steps before falling, but they were steps.

All on his own.

I think my favorite part of watching Dylan's first steps was the little turn he did he time he started to walk.

Enjoy!

TTIX 2010

For the past day and a half I’ve been attending the TTIX (Teaching with Technology Idea Exchange). This is the fourth time I’ve attended this conference and each time I come I leave excited about my job. This is primarily a higher ed conference and it’s nice to learn what educators are doing from across the K-20 spectrum. Most of the colleges and universities from around the state are represented and I find it rewarding to network with other instructors and IT folk. Yesterday I was pretty focused on the session I taught – 5 new things from Google (and maybe a couple of old ones), but today I’ve had the chance to enjoy the sessions. If you've always wondered just what exactly my job is you can watch a portion of the video below. It makes me a little self conscious to be filmed presenting, but it's part of my job.



I wasn't sure how my presentation went yesterday - it's a bit hard to gauge the reaction from a room full of higher ed folks. As I was packing up my stuff I had an interesting encounter. A woman approached me and mentioned she was from Michigan. She went on to say that she works with the MRA (Michigan Reading Association) and that she would love it if I could come out and present and their annual conference. Wow, that was out of left field. Even though I do this for a living it's rare to get a request beyond Utah's borders. We'll have to see what comes of this opportunity, but it was fun just to get asked....

One of my favorite parts of TTIX is the Grand Poo-Bah of Social Media award.  Basically, the award goes to the people who use different forms of social media (flickr, twitter, blogs, youtube) to share their ideas from the sessions they attend.  I've always participated, but usually left the conference early because of my work schedule.

This year I was able to attend the entire conference and guess what - I won second place.  It's quite a prestigious honor  (ok, not really) but I got a free t-shirt and a brand new FLIP camera!  I can definitely say it was worth posting my observations for some free stuff.

Thanks to the guys from UVU Instructional Design for putting this conference together.  You’ve definitely got a fan at UEN.

Flashback 1993 - Graduation

Earlier tonight I walked past Cottonwood High School on my way home from the bus. The place was packed. Cars lined the streets and people were flooding into the school. Tonight was graduation.

It's been 17 years since I graduated from high school.

Yep, same school.

Probably on the same Friday night.

I don't recall many of the events of that night. I do remember being nervous since I had to welcome the graduating class and say a few words. I also remember Alicia attending the ceremony after sneaking away from the hospital. The graduation party was fairly forgettable. I actually left around 3 am and went home to bed. I guess I was ready to put it all behind me.

Looking back at it now, after 17 years - I'm glad it's in the rear view mirror. Congrats class of 2010! See you in the future...

Dylan's Shiner

We bought some new barstools recently and the kids have loved climbing onto them.  Even Dylan wanted to get into the action.  Unfortunately, the barstool had some other ideas as it came crashing down on top of him.  Poor kid!  Still,  Big D got the worst the chair had to offer and now he gets to show off how tough he really is.

Little League Sluggers

Alex and Dede are back on the field for another year of tee ball. We joined up with a different rec center this year, so we're playing at a new location and the kids are on different teams this time. So far, I think it's been a "home run" for one and a "swing-and-a-miss" for the other.

Kennedy has regressed a bit in her interest in playing sports. It's fun for her to get together with her friends on the team, but she hasn't cared much for what's going on with the game. I could tell she wasn't that into tee ball last year, but she said she wanted to play (right after we learned that two of the girls in the neighborhood were playing). Still, I think she has fun when she hits, fielding bores her to tears however. She's been a trooper to stick it out, but we'll have to see if she returns for another season.

Alex, on the other hand, has really enjoyed playing this season. He still has his moods, but you will constantly find him carrying his bat around with him in our yard. He loves to hit and seems to have a knack for making contact when you pitch to him. Like Dede, Alex doesn't care for the field. I think it's the lack of action that bores little kids with fielding. Still, it's been fun to watch Alex develop some of his abilities and to enjoy playing with other kids.

Photo of the Day: Cousins

Don't you love how sad Alex looks....