There's a train at the station waiting to take me to the 2011 ISTE Conference in Philadelphia. This year's event will be different, mainly because I'll be presenting, but also because I've changed my game plan from a year ago.
If you haven't had the opportunity to attend one of these conventions, suffice to say it is the grand-daddy of ed tech events. I believe they're expecting roughly 20,000 attendees and exhibitors this year. The convention kicks off on Sunday and lasts until Wednesday afternoon. There are over 700 sessions scheduled, ranging from formal lectures to roundtable discussions, and 500 companies will be showing off their products at the Exposition Hall. Personally, I'm not going to try to make it to all of these this year. Besides being impossible, you end up missing more than you see when you're rushing about. I hope to take a more relaxed approach this year and focus on quality rather than quantity. If you are unable to attend, fret not; many of the events are available online as streaming webcasts or in recorded form here.
Real World Math has a Learning Station session on Wednesday, June 29, from 11-1pm. You can find an overview here and participate in the session's discussion here. If you are attending the conference, I hope you find the time to stop by and say hello. I'll try not to disappoint. I think I can promise you a unique giveaway to add to your pile of swag. You'll have to come to find out what it is, but suffice to say that it is entirely appropriate.
I would like to thank all of those who helped me get to this point. Thank you to the professors at the University of Guam who helped me get this website off the ground and online. With over 120,000 visits to the RWM site, I think they can consider that a successful Master's project. Thank you Amanda for providing the silky-voiced narration to the RWM promotional movie (which will debut at the session). Thank you Emily for the expert design work and advice you have given me. She is responsible for the new look of Real World Math seen above. You can find examples of her beautiful work at GallardoWorks.com, including gift cards and calendars that are available for ordering online. I hear she also does emergency calligraphy work if you're in a bind. And finally, thank you to my wife for putting up with the time and expense of my efforts. At times it can be hard to justify what RWM is worth, but she always seems to understand.
I'd like to think that Real World Math is at a turning point right now. Which direction that takes, we'll have to see in the year to come. I always have ideas for new things and I hope I provide lessons you find useful. Thank you for your support of Real World Math.
