Friday, January 25, 2013

Social Media to Enhance the Experience at FETC 2013 in Orlando





The use of social media has become fully integrated into our culture – from individuals connecting with family and friends, or businesses connecting with their customers, to elected officials connecting with their constituents.  And now it is evolving with the younger generations in the classroom and taking center stage at one of the nation’s largest education technology conferences, FETC 2013, which kicks off Monday (Jan. 28) in Orlando.

Thousands of educators and exhibitors attending the conference will have the opportunity to get connected and participate in FETC’s multiple social networks and advance their own skills by attending social media sessions and workshops. 

FETC has been actively engaged in social media since 2009, creating an online environment where technology enthusiasts, educators, presenters and exhibitors can share information and build relationships by posting conference updates, announcing contests, sharing teaching ideas and best practices, uploading videos and encouraging conference meet-ups with people in their personal learning networks.

FETC has implemented a variety of ways for participants to easily get involved in social media at this year’s conference, including:

  • Edmodo: This social media network is devoted to classroom education, allowing teachers to communicate with their students about assignments and with their fellow educators about teaching techniques and best practices. Conference attendees can join the FETC Edmodo group to find presentations, participate in back-channel discussions, learn more about exhibitors and meet up with other attendees on this free and safe social network.  ()
  • Twitter: This popular social media network has been the centerpiece of digital networking for FETC attendees, exhibitors and others interested in the latest developments in education technology. “Followersâ€? of “@FETCâ€? share an interest in education technology and can engage in the conference back-channels of discussion by using the #FETC hashtag (or search tool).
  • Facebook: Attendees are encouraged to “likeâ€? FETC on Facebook () to find out about conference activities, sessions, speakers and exhibitors, as well as to see how others are learning, teaching and sharing new ways to improve education with technology.
  • Foursquare: This “geo-locationâ€? social network will allow conference attendees to “check inâ€? at “FETC at OCCCâ€? and “FETC Exhibit Hallâ€? – as well as at participating exhibitors’ booths – to win prizes, earn points and find friends at the conference.
  • LinkedIn: Conference attendees are invited to join FETC’s discussion with other education leaders and technology experts.
  • YouTube: FETC has incorporated video into its social media this year. The National FETC YouTube channel () offers attendees a sneak-peak of the 2013 featured speakers and videos from previous years at FETC.
  • Google+: Conference attendees can join FETC’s interactive circle on Google+ to meet and “hangoutâ€? with other conference attendees.
During the 2013 conference, FETC will be hosting its annual “Tweet Up� of Twitter users attending the conference during its opening reception on Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at booth #1065 in the Exhibit Hall. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet with their colleagues face to face during this event.

For the second year in a row, FETC 2013 will offer a mobile app available in both the Apple and Android app stores. Conference attendees can download the app for direct access to VerAttend, FETC and Learning Environments conference schedules, sessions, maps and FETC social media platforms directly from their phone or tablet.

In addition, FETC 2013 will feature sessions and speakers to hone the social networking skills of attending educators, including:

  • Creating Student and Teacher Friendly Social Media Guidelines, presented by featured speaker
    Steven Anderson on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 1 – 1:40 p.m., in room S310GH.
  • The Power of Personal Learning Networks, presented by featured speaker Eric Scheninger on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 1 – 1:40 p.m., in room S310BC.
  • Super Secret Twitter Tips, Tricks and Resources, presented by featured speaker Steven Anderson
    on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2 – 2:40 p.m., in room S310BC.
  • Google+ Hangouts: A Great Instructional and PD Tool, presented by Randy Damewood on Thursday, Jan. 31, 1 – 1:40 p.m., in room S320E.
  • Teaching Students Professional Social Networking Etiquette for the Real World, presented by Tammy Fry on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 12 – 12:40 p.m., in room S320H.
  • Motivate, Innovate, Collaborate Using Edmodo & ePals, presented by Norma Jennings with Linda Cobb on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2 – 2:40 p.m., in room S320F.
  • Using Pinterest to Build a Personal Learning Network, presented by Kathy Parker-Jones and Lauren Davis on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 1 – 1:40 p.m., in room S230B.


2 comments:

said...

Hi again! It's so great to use social media for these types of conferences. Social media is a huge part of just about everyone's lives these days. This is a wonderful way to keep the people up to date that weren't able to make the conference. Thanks for informing the public about these tools. I also like the fact that an app was available to use for maps and schedules. That was sure to become helpful in certain situations. Thanks- Rebecca Stuart

Florida jackson said...

The use of social media has become fully integrated into our culture – from individuals connecting with family and friends, or businesses connecting with their customers, to elected officials connecting with their constituents.It is possible because of the good quality videos provided by companies like .And now it is also evolving with the younger generations in the classroom and taking center stage at one of the nation’s largest education technology conferences, FETC 2013, which kicks off Monday (Jan. 28) in Orlando.