Philadelphia Technology Feast

Whether you're spending your days constructing a blog or wondering whether blog is a misspelling of bog, this year's National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in Philadelphia has something for you. Catapulted to center stage are library media specialists, who, recognized as technology leaders and innovators, can find plenty of sessions geared to their needs. The way technology will influence 21st-century learning is a theme throughout the panels and librarians will learn how to play a pivotal role in boosting their students' technology skills at this conference. Here's a sampling of highlights from the June 27–30 event.

TOOTLES: Tons of Outstanding and Original Tools for Library Specialists (9 am–4 pm)
Glenda Bequette, of the Illinois State Board of Education, will talk about Web sites, blogs, and an array of other tools for parents, teachers, and students. Fee required.

Weblogs in Education: Cutting Edge Uses of This Emerging Technology (10 am–12 pm)
Michael Lackner, an instructional technology teacher coordinator from Baltimore, will explain how the rapid-fire spread of blogs is shaping curriculum, professional development, and communications with parents, and the community at large. Participants will receive a free resource CD.

I-TOTEMS: Seven Essentials of Successful Technology-Rich Learning (11 am–12 pm)
Annette Lamb, a visiting professor at Indiana University–Purdue University at Indianapolis, will demonstrate how to apply the I-TOTEMS of technology-rich learning—information, time, opportunities, tools, experiences, motivation, and strategies—to promote information literacy in students in grades K–12.

Redefining Literacy for the 21st Century (12:30 pm–1:30 pm)
David Warlick, the owner and principal consultant of the Landmark Project, a professional development and Web design firm in Raleigh, NC, will discuss a new model for literacy that connects the 3Rs to today's evolving information environment. Fee required.

The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly: School Library Media Center Web Pages (2 pm–3 pm)
Donna Baumbach, of the University of Central Florida, along with Sally Brewer, of the University of Montana, and Matt Renfroe, of the University of Central Florida, will explore the dos and don'ts of library media center Web site pages.

A Key Tech Team Member—Your School Librarian! (3:30 pm–4:30 pm.
Sally Brewer, of the University of Montana, with Peggy Milan, a library media specialist, will unveil findings from SLJ's study, which reveals that school librarians play a major role in boosting student achievement (See "SLJ's Technology Survey," pp. 49–49

Innovative Video in Education: Building Critical Literacy Skills (12 pm–1 pm)
Bill Simpson, of the San Diego County Office of Education, along with Becki Goehl and Mary Lange, San Diego technology teachers; Terri Linman, instructor, San Diego State University; and Kathy Shirley, coordinator of technology and media services, Escondido Union School District, show how video projects help promote 21st century literacy skills.

Spark Learning with Library of Congress Digital Content (1:30 pm–2:30 pm)
Leni Donlan and Elizabeth Ridgway, both of the Library of Congress, will discuss how to use primary sources in a variety of settings to meet the needs of today's learners.