Lausanne Laptop Institute 2010 – ready to collaborate!
Tomorrow I leave for the Lausanne Laptop Institute in Memphis, Tennessee. If you haven’t heard of it and you’re involved in (or hoping to start) a laptop program, it’s a must go.
From the website:
The Lausanne Laptop Institute (July 18-20, 2010) is an international think tank for schools using or considering laptops or tablets as tools for learning. Created and hosted by Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee, the Lausanne Laptop Institute offers over 90 breakout sessions – from hands-on events to lectures, discussions and networking. Conference sessions meet the needs of educators, technology integrationists, technology support personnel and administration. In 2009, over 450 attendees from 32 states and 14 countries attended, representing more than 100 schools and school districts. Over half those attending are K-12 teachers who collaborate with peers and learn tips for using laptops and tablets in their own classrooms.
I last went three years ago and have been itching to return each year since. Why?
- It’s a singular opportunity to learn from and collaborate with educators of every experience level in laptop programs.
- I’ve built a fabulous PLN via Twitter, Facebook, and various nings and listservs. A number of folks in my PLN will be there. I’m excited to put faces to the avatars with whom I’ve been collaborating for so long.
- It’s a very balanced conference. It’s not a giant sales-pitch like some, nor is it overly heavy on theory and research. It’s a solid edtech conference with a balance for all constituencies.
- The folks at Lausanne know how to set up a conference. The main conference hotel is the Peabody, an historic Memphis landmark with a great reputation. The first day is at the Peabody (preconference sessions, receptio & dinner). The following days are at Lausanne Collegiate School - sessions, vendors, and meals (yes, it includes breakfast and lunch both days!). The final night is a celebration at a restaurant on Beale Street.
- David Warlick is the keynote speaker. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably heard of him. He rocks. Need I say more?
- This year they’ve added the Adaptive Learning Symposium. It’s a thread of sessions throughout the conference to help teachers meet the needs of ALL learners more effectively using technology. The symposium facilitators are power leaders in 1:1 schools, including Pamela Livingston, Director of Information Technology at TEAM Charter Schools (NJ); Dr. Shabbi Luthra, Director of Technology at the American School of Bombay.
- I’ve registered for the iPad in Education preconference session (yes, iPad – I love my ClassmatePCs, but I’ve loved Apple a lot longer and feel an obligation to keep an open mind) to better understand their potential for classroom use. I’ll try to blog about the experience Sunday.
So, what do I bring to an edtech conference? It’s really tempting to to overpack, but I’m cheap and don’t want to risk putting tech stuff in a suitcase. My must-haves:
- My Droid. It will help me keep in touch w/my family, go online wherever I am, and has a great camera/video camera.
- My ClassmatePC Convertible. I can’t go without a laptop, and I’d prefer not to travel with my school machine.
I could bring a lot more and am undecided about an external drive, but I don’t think it’s necessary. I think I’ll be too busy to play, and if I’m not, I’ll be exploring Memphis, hopefully with folks in my PLN.
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