Lincoln Public Schools

Saturday November 21, 2009 · 26° and fair in Lincoln

Bits and Bytes Episode 7

Originally published on: October 19, 2009

Enclosed file: Bits and Bytes Episode 7

Show Notes

Describe the NECC Conference

NECC is the largest of the K12 focused "technology" conferences with some opportunities for K-20 discussions. Breakout sessions are typically led by K12 teachers and administrators. In addition to sessions NECC provides a vendor area that is on the level of ComDex, MacWorld and other large technology conferences. The best place to get an overview of the conference is their Web site at http://center.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2007/ .

Why is conference important? Previous LPS involvement with NECC.

LPS has had a significant presence at NECC going back to 1994. In addition to attending, LPS has typically had one or more staff members presenting.  The presentations have varied from breakout sessions to all-day workshops and even multi-day workshops.

At the highest level the conference is an enormous "birds-of-a-feather" gathering where K12 educators have a variety of oppportunities to share among/between themselves as well as research the latest technology solutions. 

Keynotes

The Keynote "Extraordinary Visions" by Dewitt Jones was the best keynote I have ever attended.  Presented in a completely expository fashion the crowd was held spellbound by the words and images that were shared. Many of Dewitt's presentations are available via his Web site at http://www.dewittjones.com/ .

Vendors

I went with some specific things I was looking to review including: Desktop Management, Web Filtering, Health Tracking System, SIS, Office alternatives, Pen/Thumb drives, Mobile laptop carts, textbook management system, and projectors.  In the 12 years I have been atttending NECC this was the biggest vendor area I can remember.  There are certainly some very creative software/hardware vendors and I found information in all the areas of interest.  Each year it is interesting to see how the industry is converging on particular areas. This year there were many "e-learning" solutions that allow students to use small devices to answer questions from which the teacher receives immediate feedback. In this emerging area my Best of Show goes to ..."