tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677687.post4990739267383327316..comments2024-03-27T15:13:24.764-04:00Comments on Computer Science Teacher: Reflections on EdTech ConferencesAlfred Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575057876858763822noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677687.post-86057202042663522982013-07-08T19:03:04.669-04:002013-07-08T19:03:04.669-04:00Doug I really do have to get to one of your confer...Doug I really do have to get to one of your conferences north of the border. There is a lot we in the US can learn from what is going on in Canada.Alfred C Thompson IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06011086242006020298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677687.post-7665859133570177542013-07-08T18:15:17.423-04:002013-07-08T18:15:17.423-04:00We need to get you gents to come north of the bord...We need to get you gents to come north of the border to http://www.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/events/csteachers.html<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677687.post-28876082113709274212013-07-08T13:13:08.793-04:002013-07-08T13:13:08.793-04:00For a computer science educator the big two confer...For a computer science educator the big two conferences are clearly CSTA and SIGCSE. While I hear there was a lot more CS at ISTE this year there still isn't enough for my tastes. TCEA could also use more CS but it is head and shoulders above FETC in that area.Alfred Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05575057876858763822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18677687.post-58137001561044149562013-07-08T12:21:33.138-04:002013-07-08T12:21:33.138-04:00I agree with most of this. I do normally avoid the...I agree with most of this. I do normally avoid the exhibit hall at TCEA and at ISTE this year. The biggest reason for this is a lack of value for someone who is not a technology support/integration person. I teach CS, and honestly there is little value other than looking at new toys in the exhibit hall. <br /><br />I think the real problem with these conferences from a CS teacher perspective is the lack of quality sessions. These conferences are more about integrating technology, and not about teaching students to create artifacts through CS. <br /><br />I have never been to CSTA, but am going this year. I have been to SIGCSE and found that conference very valuable (although I do wish there was a little bigger focus on K12). I went to the K12 section of Grace Hopper a couple years ago, and also found that to be very valuable.<br /><br />One thing I am going to try to pursue is running more workshop type professional development for CS teachers. Maybe even an Edcamp type conference. I am not sure about attending ISTE again...though it might happen. I always struggle with TCEA for the same reasons, but it is in my backyard.Jakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11151597105248045382noreply@blogger.com