ULearn07 begins next week. Listed below are the breakouts that I’ve registered for. If you’re interested in “a virtual attendance” or a “backchannel” leave a comment and I’ll be in touch if it’s ok with the presenter(s).

Keynote: Ewan McIntosh – Wednesday 3 October 10.50am NZT (Global Fixed Times)

Breakout Round 1: Wednesday 3 October 1.30 pm (Global Fixed Times)

_{Title: UMAJIN – learn how to become an expert digital story teller in just one session.
Type of Session: Hands-on Interactive Workshop
Presenter(s): Russel Brebner & Michael Leon – Unlimited Realities Ltd
Question Alignment: Relevant and authentic contexts
Target Level: All
Target Audience: Teachers
Abstract: Passionate about self-directed, creative learning and personal publishing. UMAJIN is the unique, New Zealand built platform with exactly these goals in mind. This workshop will demonstrate UMAJIN’s capabilities and then step you through interactive tutorials designed to make you an expert UMAJIN user. We will demonstrate importing your own digital photos and ‘blue screening’. Time will then be available for you to create your own UMAJIN masterpieces.}

I’ve seen a very brief demo of this program and my students have had a play around in a demo version but we haven’t really been able (I feel) to use it to the best of its capabilities – so I’m really looking forward to this first session!

Breakout Round 2:  Wednesday 3 October 3.45pm (Global Fixed Times)

_{Title: Some Great Inquiry Learning Ideas from Waimea South
Type of Session: Interactive presentation
Presenter(s): Ian Lambie & Kathy Granger
Question Alignment: Relevant and authentic context
Target Level: Primary
Target Audience: Teachers
Abstract: Five of the most Authentic and relevant Inquiry Units from across Waimea South will be presented. Some Background Information on the “SAUCE” inquiry model and how we have utilised this in our schools. Along with detailing an innovative “Lead Kids” concept where children from across our cluster were selected and brought together to learn and then lead ICT strategies within their own schools}

Need to go to this session because that’s our PD focus for the rest of the year – Inquiry Learning (hope to walk away with some really great ideas from this one).

Breakout Round 3: Thursday 4 Oct0ber  10.45am   (Global Fixed Times)

_{Title: Skype TalkandWrite
Type of Session: Interactive Presentation
Presenter(s): Simon Evans (with his trusty sidekick – Me!)
Question Alignment: Quality teaching for diverse Learners
Target Level: Primary
Target Audience: Teachers
Abstract: Skype has produced an interactive writing feature entitled “TalkandWrite” which works well with an IWB. This session will demonstrate how you can get your hands on it and how it is being incorporated into the teaching and learning at Peterhead School. You will leave the session inspired. Sign up to www.skypetalkandwrite.wikispaces.com and share the journey of discovery together.}

I’m a bit biased when it comes to this Breakout. Simon and I have presented this workshop a couple of times now. The downside is that there is no mac version for TalkandWrite yet – but it is coming!

Breakout Round 4: Thursday 4 October 1.30pm (Global Fixed Times)

_{Title: Learning Portfolios
Type of Session: Interactive Presentation
Presenter(s): Rob Clarke – Fendalton Open Air School
Question Alignment: Assessing for Learning
Target Level: All Levels
Target Audience: General
Abstract: This hands-on workshop is aimed at anyone who is interested in using a range of tools to develop portfolios (including mindmaps, blogs, poscasts and other web2 tools). During this session I will share my journey to developing learning protfolios plus examples in the classroom. Ideas for breaking the job down and making it manageable will be addressed, as well as pedagogy behind the use of this type of assessment with these types of tools. Online and offline tools will be looked at along with their relative advantages and disadvantages. Issues in implementing these ideas across the school will be discussed. You must be a competent internet user. Limit of 20 participants per workshop.}

Wow – I’m looking forward to the possibilities of setting this up in my classroom. I think my head might be spinning after leaving this workshop!

Breakout Round 5: Thursday 4 October 3.45pm (Global Fixed Times)

_{Title: Making your podcast more pro.
Type of Session: Hands-on Interactive Workshop
Presenter(s): Ewan McIntosh – Dept Learning Teaching Scotland
Question Alignment: Developing infrastructure and technical capability
Target Level: All Levels
Target Audience: General
Abstract: Recording student work and publishing it is something many educators have done once or twice before handing in the gauntlet on a time-consuming, although fun, activity. Podcasting can be more manageable if you know how; we will talk about small but regular shows recorded, produced and published by the students, linking into their own formative assessment. Find out how you can make these much more manageable shows engaging for the students by learning some fun and varied approaches to recording. Also, pick up some tips on making them sound much more professional with out the most basic of tools (optional: bring along a clean sock).}

WOW!! What can I say? The fact that we need to bring along a clean sock has me excited already! If my head isn’t ready to explode yet, I’m sure after this session it will be!

Breakout Round 6: Friday 5 October 9.00am (Global Fixed Times)

_{Title: Digital Classroom: The critical success factors
Presenter(s) Malcom Roberts – Waikato Institute of Technology
Type of Breakout: Interactive Presentation
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the critical success factors for the implementation of a digital classroom. Relevant factors such as resources, class organization, pedagogy, funding and support were investigated. A collective case study approach was used. Six classrooms in four schools were investigated and compared. Interviews were carried out with six teachers and the pupils in all six classrooms were surveyed. A case study methodology was used from which a profile of each classroom was developed. The results of the research outline the success factors in the digital classroom and provide a definition of the digital classroom. In this session I will share the main results of my research and share a digital classroom model. I look forward to some discussion and dialogue around the digital classroom model, now and into the future.}

I’m hoping to come away with some new ideas for my classroom. I’m really interested in those success factors.

Breakout Round 7:   Friday 5 October 11.15am   (Global Fixed Times)

_{Title: So you’ve got a blog – now what?
Presenter: Rachel Boyd - Nelson Central School
Type of Breakout: Interactive Presentation
Abstract: So you’ve set up a class blog and it’s going really well… you’re sharing your learning, have lots of cool widgets and are enjoying the ‘warm fuzzies’ that are flowing in … Congratulations! But how can you take your blog “to the next level” and make your lessons really come alive? This practical workshop on blogging will help you make a significant difference to learning in your classroom and facilitate students to explore the power of connectivity and reflection. Suitable for all computer platforms and blogging software.}

What a way to end the Breakouts! I can’t wait to finally meet Rachel f2f! This amazing teacher has some awesome stuff going on in her class and I’m looking forward to the conversations we are definitely going to have!

Keynote: Tony Ryan (Thinkers Keys) Friday 5 October  2.00pm  (Global Fixed Times)

There’s also going to be our very own blogger’s cafe (thanks Jane) – no reason why I can’t skype you into that either!

So what are you waiting for?