ADE Institute 2013 Austin Texas

This was my third ADE institute and I feel just as humbled to be a part of this group the third time around as I did the first in 2011 in Phoenix.  I spent 5 days with educators who really want to transform education today and make it better than it ever has been.  I many times feel like I do not deserve to be a part of such an intelligent group of people and that I have very little to contribute, but by the end of this week of professional development, which is like no other you have ever experienced, I found I was able to learn some new things and teach a few people some new tricks.

 I am fortunate in that I get to transform the way I teach my elementary PE classes with Apple technology.  In addition I  also teach two periods of 8th grade science where the opportunities for technology infusion are plentiful due to our students' 24/7 access to MacBooks.  They definitely extend the learning outside the school walls. We also have several carts of iPads for students to use.  Similar to last year, I plan to have my 8th grade science students create Multi-Touch books with iBooks Author and create their own content while learning what needs to be taught to them.  So in a sense the student will drive the learning much like when you integrate CBL into your curriculum.  I am excited for a new year, and much of that excitement comes from my opportunity to have my teaching spirit once again revived at the ADE institute in Austin, Texas. Thanks to Apple and the team that makes these events happen!  They truly are career changing events and I will continue to work hard to experience this process again in the future.
Megan Adkins, an assistant professor in the Health and Physical Education department at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, co-presented a 1-in-3 session with me at the institute.  We had three minutes to deliver our message to an audience of around 400.  There was timer running for the audience to see and when your three minutes were up the spotlight went off and the sound was cut to your mic. At that time a new 3 min preso started across the stage at the other podium.   I was extremely nervous, and for me to do something like this really takes me outside my comfort zone.  This kind of thing is not the norm for me.  But when the format came out and I was given an opportunity to deliver a message I knew needed to be heard, I knew I wanted to submit a proposal.  I know taking risks is what makes us grow and looking back I'm glad I did it, but man was it nerve-racking!

I want to thank Apple for hosting these great events and giving me an opportunity to grow and mature as a educator.  Living where I do and growing up as I did (which I would not change for anything) I never knew opportunities like this could be so life changing. 

ADE Institute 1-in-3 Nebraska High Five Warmup
youtu.be/Qt_PZkTl81Q 

Megan's And Kevin's Message
http://youtu.be/CXbD79gUb10