As an educator, there is one thing that is consistent in what all educators have to do - professional development. The number one complaint about professional development is most of the time it is a one size fits all, sit and get style. Today, educators are seeking out differentiated professional development that is personalized to meet their needs. I have attended many conferences, workshops, PD throughout my years of teaching and have found the "palooza" of professional development, iPadpalooza. iPadpalooza is a learning festival that takes place at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. This event is NOT just any ordinary PD, it's a learning festival that brings educators together to learn, connect, and celebrate. I have had the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers like Sir Ken Robinson, Sugata Mitra, Guy Kawasaki, and this year Austin Kleon. All of this is put together by Carl Hooker, Director of Innovation & Digital Learning in the Eanes Independent School District. He is the founder of this learning extravaganza, and brings a unique perspective to learning. Here is what the week of iPadpalooza looks like: Pre-palooza & iLead Academy: Tuesday was the beginning of the conference which held pre-palooza sessions that included makerspace, robotics, coding, drones, and more. While the iLead Academy was an event to grow classroom, campus, and district leaders. This Academy was lead by George Couros, author of Innovator's Mindset. I was fortunate enough to attend this Academy and walked away with many ideas to take back to my campus. THE THREE DAY EVENT: This year the main event began with a slow jam recognizing the sponsors of the event performed by Carl Hooker, Felix Jacomino, and Judy Jacomino. Here are just a few things you can experience in the three days of iPadpalooza! APPMAZING RACE: If you love challenges & competition, then the appmazing race is for you. Once you have signed up with a team of 3 or 4 other racers, then the race begins with a list of many challenges that have to be completed and submitted. There are many selfies, pictures of others, silly team building moment, photobombs, created designs, costumes, and more! iPadpalooza Youth Film Festival: My students have participated the last two years in this film festival. If students move on to the semi-finals then their film is shown on the big screen at Alamo Drafthouse. The students love making videos and there are so many learning opportunities in creating and filming movies. This year our district had 7 films move on to the semi-finals, and Congrats to Walter Bristol, from Rooster Springs Elementary, Dripping Springs ISD, who won the Film Festival with his film: Abductor Pick your own session:
Here is one of the best parts of iPadpalooza, you can pick your own session to attend. What do you want to learn? What will help you grow? There are so many choices that you shouldn't walk away empty handed or feel you have wasted your time. SAVE THE DATE: I can't say enough about the benefits of this event and the learning that it provides. If you have never attended iPadpalooza, then mark your calendars for next year's event: June 5th-8th. THANK YOU! Thank you, Carl Hooker for your amazing vision to begin such an amazing event! Until next year!
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Kelly GarnerMy goal as a teacher is to inspire and equip students to dream big and take risks! Archives
August 2016
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