Teaching: Learning: Technology - Gaining Vision
CESI National Conference
Friday, 13 Feb 09, Maldron Hotel, Tallaght
Saturday, 14 Feb 09, Coláiste de h-Íde, Tallaght

CESI Conference News, 01 Feb 09
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1. Friday CESI Meet Reminder
2. Wow! What a line up for Saturday!
3. Advance Booking for Saturday
4. Conference Sponsors
5. Visit Amawele and Camara
6. All About CESI: Listen to the Podcast
7. DigiTeach Article
8. Are you on THE list?
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1. Friday CESI Meet Reminder
The Friday evening CESI Meet is officially booked out. The nature of the event (mini, soap box and nano resentations) dictated a strict cap on attendance numbers. Those attending are encouraged to arrive early. The event starts at 7pm.

Those staying in the Maldron or nearby, but NOT attending the CESI Meet, are encouraged to join the CESI Meet contingent from 9pm in the bar area of the hotel. It should make for a great social evening!

For complete location details, visit the CESI Location & Hospitality page at http://www.cesi.ie/conference-2009-locations-and-hospitality.

2.    Wow! What a line up for Saturday!
The participation of the following speakers in this year's CESI Conference truly makes CESI's "Teaching: Learning: Technology - Gaining Vision" an event not to be missed:

This year's Opening Keynote will be delivered by Scottish educator Laurie O'Donnell, Director of Learning and Technology with Learning and Teaching Scotland. His current remit includes responsibility for the world leading Glow schools intranet programme. In 2008, Laurie was named as one of the George Lucas Education Foundation's "Global Six" in recognition of his work on Glow and for promoting the use of technology, such as computer games, in Scottish education.

Joe Dale, Capstone Keynote Presenter, is Leader of French at Nodehill Middle School on the Isle of Wight. Joe's MFL (modern foreign language) blog has been nominated for two Edublog Awards in the last two years. The title of Joe's keynote is "New Tools, New Curriculum, New Opportunities." As part of his presentation, Joe will share how 21st Century teachers can harness the types of technologies popular amongst young people in order to engage them in purposeful and relevant communication with virtual peers around the world.

New to the CESI Programme this year is the inclusion of two plenary presentations. The first plenary presentation will be delivered by John Hickey of Apple. John is the Senior Manager for Higher Education for Europe, Middle East, India & Africa; and he will speak to attendees on 21st Century Skills and Learners. The second plenary speaker will be Ciaran Mc Cormack from the FÍS Community whose presentation will include an exclusive preview of a new Pan European Digital Media Project called EuroCreator.

Along with the above, conference attendees will have 20 other presentations and workshops to choose from on the Saturday. These include a range of talks and workshops on Web 2.0 applications, ICT management in schools and integrating ICT into the curriculum. View the updated conference programme at http://www.cesi.ie/conference-2009-programme

3.    Advance Booking for Saturday
The last day for advance booking your Saturday attendance is Saturday, 7 February, one week prior to conference. Registration is available on the day of conference. There is a €5 discount for those who book online, so don't delay, book your place now at http://www.cesi.ie/conference-registration.

4.    Conference Sponsors & Exhibitors
CESI Conference 2009 would not be possible without the support of our generous conference sponsors and exhibitors. All attendees are encouraged to reserve time at conference to visit with our valued sponsors and exhibitors. Visit the CESI sponsors and exhibitors page at http://www.cesi.ie/conference-2009-sponsors to learn more about the sponsors who will exhibit at the conference.

5.    Visit Amawele and Camara
Amawele facilitates the twinning between schools in Ireland and South Africa to promote cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries. Amawele is currently working with Teachnet on a range of ICT projects which can be used by schools involved in twinning. Visit Amawele's exhibition stand at the CESI Conference.

Camara take in second hand computers that have been discarded by Irish Organisations and individuals, refurbish them and send them to schools and colleges in sub Sahara Africa. Camara also organize groups of volunteers to train African teachers in basic computer literacy and more specialised technology areas. Visit Camara's exhibition stand at the CESI Conference.

6.    All About CESI: Listen to the Podcast
The Teachnet Learning Blog is currently featuring the podcast, All About CESI, where host Clifford Brown talks to second level teachers Adrienne Webb and Tom Kendall, both National Executive members of CESI, about the organisation that has been championing the cause of ICT integration in education since 1973. Topics include the history of CESI, its role, how to get involved, current challenges and what's on the agenda at this year's annual conference. You can learn more about the Teachnet Learning Blog firsthand by attending Teachnet's Saturday presentation at the CESI conference. Access the podcast at http://blog.teachnet.ie/?p=738

7.    DigiTeach Article: An Interactive Whiteboard and an Experiment with CPD
In this week's featured CESI DigiTeach article, "An Interactive Whiteboard and an Experiment with CPD", Adrienne Webb shares her experience of providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for teachers in the use of Interactive Whiteboards. Access the article from the CESI homepage, http://www.cesi.ie

8. Are you on THE list?
If a friend or colleague has forwarded this email to you, then you are probably not on the CESI Mailing List. Be "in the loop" on all things related to ICT and learning in Ireland. Join the CESI mailing list at www.cesi.ie.