Rest, refresh and revitalize: ACTA is my time to be inspired.

(please note, I wrote this a week ago.  In light of the recent disaster occurring in Alabama, my thoughts and prayers go to those affected by the tornadoes.  I have many friends and I hope and pray they are all safe.)

I have to admit, I don’t go to conferences to just show off my curriculum. Since I am not an educator, my only real chance to be with educators is at conferences. Sure I have my wares, exhibit, and my booth where I show off my hard work and hope that people will appreciate it; but for as much time I spend selling, I spend more time in academic sessions. This is where I learn, where I refuel and become inspired. This is where I get a much needed perspective.

Often while working in an office, I am engulfed in day to day operations, in running the business and building the company. I don’t get out and I don’t have the proper perspective of being in the trenches. Leaving the office gets me out of that rut.

Last year I was inspired to write a paper on describing technology as an acquired language (which I hope to publish one day). At conferences I learn about the needs of the populace I serve and try to find the best solution. I attend workshops to see what they are learning and figure out ways to improve upon the methods. I am also inspired to share my expert knowledge about technology.

This year I gave a presentation at ACTA: Technology in the Classroom: Integrating Social Media and Lifting the Cell Phone Ban in Schools. Both social media and cell phones are highly controversial topics for the classroom, but they are necessary to be addressed in education. I had no idea how 100 administrators would react to such a speech.

Needless to say, I left the conference intact and the responses I got were inspirational. I really felt that I opened the eyes of many who attended to the possibility of integrating the social network and accepting cell phones in schools. I know it is an uphill battle, but change must start somewhere. I felt this was my best presentation yet and I look forward to many more to come!

This year is the best year yet. I was inspired by what I learned, revitalized by the presentations and meetings I attended and revived by the beautiful Alabama beach. I made new friends and got to know old friends in a whole new way! It was an amazing trip and I left looking forward to what next year will bring.