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!