Annual Ohio eTech technology confab attracts thousands of eduators

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CGE) - The 2012 Ohio eTech Educational Technology Conference, held this week in Columbus for the 14th consecutive year, is touted as the third largest state educational technology conference in the country. 

 

With more than 7,000 registrants, the three-day conference, said to be "built by educators for educators," offers pragmatic strategies, answers nagging questions, and shares valuable insights to address needs of college faculty, classroom teachers, and district administrators alike.

 

 

Featuring more than 500 sessions, workshops and displays that demonstrate student work, highlight new technologies and discuss 21st century skills, the conference is a nexus event where innovators gather once a year to share with one another their successes and challenges. Moreover, the conference is an opportunity for educators "to honestly share their experiences' of what works, and what doesn't for the benefit of their peers," according to eTech Commission communicators.

 

This year's conference featured keynote speakers includes Dr. Michio Kaku, whose reputation as an authority of Einstein's unified field theory, which he is attempting to complete, is one of the most widely recognized figures in science, Sascha Meinrath, Director of the New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative and Brene Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work who has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. 

 

eTech Ohio, created in 2005 by the Ohio General Assembly (Am. Sub. H.B. 66) performs two important functions. One is that of a forum to learn more about critical initiatives impacting Ohio. The second is to merge the technology functions and support provided by the Ohio Educational Telecommunications Network Commission and the Ohio SchoolNet Commission, is designed to consolidate Ohio's investment in the telecommunications networks used by Ohio's public broadcasters and the K-12 community.

 

Legislatively charged with aligning content and technology resources and expertise, eliminating unnecessary duplication of services, providing visionary leadership for enhancing learning through the use of technology for Ohioans of all ages and leveraging shared networking to utilize available resources more efficiently, the event held at the convention center in downtown Columbus is a beehive of activity for three days, with more than 250 vendors showcasing their products and services as well as conducting scores of hands-on sessions for their clients. 

 

The conference, featuring international and nationally-recognized keynote speakers each day and on-site student competitions in various design and technology-oriented events, is designed to bring tap into the best educational currents across the state.