Thousands of educators to view latest in educational technology

Feb. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning will hold its 35th annual conference for educational technology at Cobo Center on March 16-18.    One of the nation's largest conferences for educational technology, the event will gather over 3000 teachers, administrators, and school board members from Michigan, neighboring states and Canada.  Over 150 sessions will be presented by national leaders and classroom teachers on best practices and trends in educational technology. “Essentials for 21st Century Teaching and Learning” is the theme of this year’s conference.

Keynote speakers are Rushton Hurley, Executive Director of Next Vista for Learning; Jean Johnson, Director of Inclusion Trust; and Hall Davidson, Director of Global Learning Initiatives for Discovery Education.

Featured speakers for the conference include James Basham, Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati; Steve Dembo, Director of Social Media and Online Community, Discovery Education; Brian Dixon, Executive Director, Mentorship Academy; Leslie Fisher, Director of lesliefisher.com; Adam Garry, Manager of Global Professional Learning Strategy, Dell; Kevin Honeycutt, Educational Technology Specialist, ESSDACK; John Raymond, President, PowerIT; Anne Truger, Instructional Technology Specialist, Special Education, SEDOL; Bruce Umpstead, Director of Educational Technology and Data Coordination, Michigan Department of Education; and George Zayed, Owner, The Achievement Center.

Exhibits in Wayne Hall of Cobo Center, which are open to the public for a $20 admission charge, feature more than 200 exhibit booths by nearly 175 companies. Displays of the latest and greatest in hardware, software, and services will highlight how technology can enhance teaching and learning.  Exhibit hall hours are Thursday, March 17 from 9:30am-5pm and Friday, March 18 from 8:30am-1pm.  

In addition to the quality speakers and exhibit hall, conference "must see" features include RoboFest, Social Media Café, Classroom Gadget Showdown, and the Student Technology Showcase.

"MACUL 2011 promises to be our best conference yet, " stated Sue Hardin, MACUL Board President and Assistive Technology Consultant at Macomb Intermediate School District. "We have prepared a tremendous lineup of events, speakers, and exhibitors to make this an outstanding conference for educators."

ABOUT MACUL:  Founded in 1975, MACUL is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing educators from all levels together to share their knowledge and increase expertise in educational uses of educational technology. MACUL provides service to its members through a state-wide conference, regional workshops, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), grant programs, quarterly journal and online resources. Please visit macul.org for more information about the MACUL conference and initiatives.

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The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established in 1975 dedicated to support the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning.