March+10,+2014+meeting



Attendees: Norton Gusky (recorder), Justin Aglio (Propel Schools), Kris Hupp (Cornell SD), Tim Devlin (AIU), Zee Poerio ( St. Louise de Marillac School), Karlton Chapman (Quaker Valley SD), Mike Baker (SouthSide Beaver), Dom Salvucci (New Brighton), Kevin Conner (AIU), Amiena Mahsoob (World Affairs Council), Justin Driscoll (Pittsburgh Technology Council)

Key Issues:
 * Date/ Location - November 17-18 at Four Points Sheraton
 * Discussed some of the needs for better rooms. Justin D. shared some changes to eliminate problems from the 2013 conference. The 2014 event will not use two rooms that were problematic and will have access to more spaces at the Four Point Sheraton.
 * Theme - Using Technology to Deepen Learning
 * General agreement on theme. Karlton raised the issue of "broadening" the reach. Norton suggested we add "global" elements to reach this broader goal.
 * Pre-conference
 * Possible link to edupreneurs - Justin D. explained that the Tech Council was considering a day of activities styled after events sponsored by Edsurge. Startup companies would be invited to meet with management teams from schools. The key would be to have schools share their needs and edupreneurs to listen and try to shape solutions that could be tested by schools. There would be a mini version of this type of startup-educator meeting at the STEM Summit on August 28 at the Carnegie Science Center. Six startups would be invited to the STEM Summit. Justin D. also related that the Tech Council was working with the Idea Foundry to identify educational startups.
 * Change flow of afternoon ending with vendor reception
 * Keynote Speakers -
 * Tom Vander Ark - see Google Doc (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SFUf4z-7i0NjF2h8KJZA5O8uhpcn1x_95Rw_hm1_jF0/edit)
 * Sylvia Martinez - see Google Doc
 * Other ideas - Justin D. suggested we consider a CEO from the business world who could talk about the needs of the workplace. Justin A brought up the idea of someone from a company, like MAYA Design, to talk about the role of design in learning
 * Conference Ideas - Possible topics
 * Use interactive model for more sessions - Kevin shared how Jana and he developed a session for last year using activities from the Institute of Play. Norton highlighted the use of interactive stations with students and teachers that Nikki Navta developed for a Game-based Learning session at TRETC 2013.
 * Special activity, e.g. Red Chair - The group discussed the idea of a Maker Space that would provide hands-on opportunities for participants. Zee suggested that we use a larger space, possibly the wall where the Red Chair activities were for TRETC 2013.
 * Other ideas - Norton highlighted the expansion of a Project-based Learning session using multiple districts. Norton also added the idea for a Global learning session . Zee built on the idea and stated that she would work with the CREATE Lab to develop a session around the Gigapan Project. Dom brought the idea of collaborative projects. Amiena gave a great example of where North Allegheny and South Fayette are working together on a water filtration project. Justin A. raised the possibility of a Design-based Learning session based on the work that Propel Braddock Hills is doing with MAYA Design. The group identified a Maker Theme that could include 3D Printing with schools like Fort Cherry and Elizabeth Forward sharing their success stories. Aileen Owens is interested in leading a session with kids and teachers that would focus on K-12 Computational Thinking - Deepening Learning Across All Content Areas.
 * Other ideas
 * The group reviewed the idea of including with the application for proposals a request for either a short video (1 minute) or a series of graphics. The group felt that the video and/or graphics could be used for marketing on the web site. Other ideas included: ask applicants to share links, hashtags, or QR codes.
 * Mike highlighted the the reemergence of Keystone Teachers. TRETC will attempt to get former Keystone Teachers to present and new Keystone teachers to attend.
 * Norton brought up the idea of a post TRETC series of activities and suggested that SWPAECT might sponsor an activity. Mike added that this could be a sharing event where people talk about what they learned at TRETC. Dom added that people could be encouraged to document and archive what's been done.
 * Norton talked about how the Flipped Learning Conference includes a streaming option for people to attend virtually. 50% of the attendees are virtual for the FlipCon event. Kevin Conner related how in the past TRETC used a MediaSite unit from the AIU to capture three sessions in one room at previous TRETCs. Norton added that there should be a charge for the virtual conference. The group brought up other options for virtual elements including presenting (Dom did this in the past) and speakers who could not travel to TRETC or were too expensive in person, e.g. Alan November.
 * Justin A raised the issue of a broader set of presentations to appeal to people in core subject areas like English or Social Studies.


 * Marketing Plan


 * **Activity** || **Time-frame** || **Responsibility** ||
 * Develop marketing campaign (theme, logos) || 3/14-5/14 || Tech Council ||
 * Identify keynote speaker(s) || 3/14 – 6/14 || Planning Committee ||
 * Identify presenters || 314-8/14 || Planning Committee ||
 * Send out Hold Date email || 5/14 || Tech Council / AIU ||
 * Identify potential vendors || 3/14– 10/14 || Planning Committee/ Tech Council ||
 * Register presenters/vendors/ participants || 6/14– 11/14 || Tech Council ||
 * Evaluate proposals || 8/14- 9/14 || AIU/ Planning Committee (sub-committee) ||
 * Arrange for equipment needs || 6/14 – 11/14 || Tech Council/AIU/ Sponsors ||
 * Update web site || 4/14 – 10/14 || Tech Council ||
 * Arrange for food || 9/14 – 11/14 || Tech Council ||
 * Provide food / necessary space / tech support || 11/14 || Sheraton Four Points ||
 * Distribute marketing materials || 08/14 - 11/14 || Tech Council/ IUs/ Committee members ||
 * Market to targeted audiences || 07/14 - 10/14 || IUs/ Committee members/ Tech Council ||
 * Evaluate /Act 48 || 11/14 - 12/14 || AIU/ Tech Council ||