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....