Around the Convention
Playground & Lounges
The playgrounds and lounges are interactive, informal learning areas that allow further exploration through hands-on activities and peer-to-peer idea sharing. Spend some time learning and sharing between sessions and capture great ideas for improving teaching and learning through the use of technology.
Gaming Playground
The gaming playground explores various uses of gaming in education with fun, hands-on activities. Embark on the evolution of gaming, engage in the QR adventure for a chance to win the grand prize, energize while dancing the latest hip-hop dances, empower yourself with robotics knowledge, and become educated in integrated ideas that you can use in your classroom.
• Tuesday, noon - 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
iPlayground
The iPlayground caters to the expert and the novice iPhone, iPod, and iPad users. In the iPlayground you will be able to explore many uses for these mobile devices, both in and beyond the classroom. Several interactive areas invite you to explore the innovation of these tools — gain and share apps, engage in a presentation, or simply get help with your device from on-hand experts.
• Monday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Web 2.0 & Social Media Lounges
Leave your image of the typical conference setting behind you as you enter this peer-to-peer learning atmosphere. In addition to scheduled presentations on the latest Web 2.0 tool initiatives you are invited to join or start a discussion to engage with like-minded professionals who share your challenges, or who can learn from your triumphs. This area is all about interactive learning. Let’s start a discussion!
• Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Friday, 9 a.m. - noon
Networking Events
We know you will spend hours indulging in great professional development during the convention, but make sure you spend some time expanding your personal learning network with other educators like yourself who love technology and want to learn more about it.
Soar with the Superheroes After Dinner Social
Energize with the legendary superheroes at the must-attend event of convention. Live music, great games, and fabulous door prizes are just a few of the highlights. Back by popular demand, The Spazmatics are sure to bring the house down while bringing the 80’s back. Save the day … dress as your favorite superhero! This event is free to all full registered attendees.
• Thursday, 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Sounds of Austin
While visiting the “Live Music Capital of the World” it’s only fitting that you get to enjoy the sounds of a great Austin musician. Unwind for a bit and enjoy the music of Gina Chavez.
Back of Exhibit Hall, 900 Aisle
• Thursday, 10 a.m. - noon
Plucking her custom-built charango, Latin folk-rocker Gina Chavez has been heralded the Ani Difranco of Latin music. Percussive guitar playing sets the mood for lyrical scenery, but it's the folkloric "Embrujo" of Chavez's voice that sears the memory. Since the release of her 2007 debut album, Hanging Spoons, Chavez has toured with Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, shared the stage with Ozomatli, Grupo Fantasma, and Del Castillo, and represented the City of Austin on the 2011 Austin Music Vol. 10 compilation. National Public Radio touted her one of eight "New Latin Artists at SXSW" and her music a "perfect mix of Latin, folk and bluegrass." Chavez recently returned from 8 months of mission work in El Salvador and established Austin 4 El Salvador, a college scholarship fund for girls she lived and worked with in a gang-dominated part of San Salvador. For music samples and tour dates, visit www.ginachavez.com.
SIG Meetings
TCEA has Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for members who want to become even more involved in technology education and network throughout the year with other educators in similar positions. SIG events will be held during the convention. Click here for details of SIG meet ups.
Tweet Up
Meet your social media community in person at this informal meet and greet event. New to social media? Learn more from our on-hand experts on how to engage in Twitter, Facebook, and other social media tools.
• Wednesday, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Discovery Education Network Sessions
Discovery Education will be presenting a series of sessions in the Discovery Education room, located in Salon B on level 4 of the Hilton, Wednesday through Friday. Find out more about how Discovery Education is transforming classrooms, empowering teachers, and captivating students by leading the way in providing high quality, dynamic, digital content, including the new Discovery Education Science Techbook - a primary instructional resource for elementary and middle schools. The sessions will explore the integration and application of Discovery Education's award-winning digital content, interactive lessons, real time assessment, virtual experiences with some of Discovery's greatest talent such as Hall Davidson and Steve Dembo, classroom contest and challenges, professional development, and more. Through interactive, hands-on conference sessions, experience how Discovery is leading the way in transforming classrooms and inspiring learning.