TCEA holds convention for teachers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Texas Computer Education Association will be holding its 2012 Convention and Exposition through Friday at the Austin Convention Center.

TCEA’s goal is to integrate technology into pre-K to 12th grade classrooms through conferences, workshops, newsletters, the Internet and collaborations with higher education and business.

The event, which began Monday, displays the latest in educational technology and cutting-edge products with numerous speakers, more than 400 sessions and 900 exhibitor booths. Events include:

• Schedule overview
• Exhibitors
• Keynote speakers
• Presenters

“We’re here to help teachers learn how to move into the digital age and engage their students with the new technological tools that are available,” said Lee Sleeper, president of TCEA.

The event links teachers from all over the nation. The presenters themselves are all from public schools and share tools and ideas others can take back to their classrooms.

The latest hot topics are about using apps from tablets such as iPads and Androids to effectively educate students. It is a major move from using desktop computers due to their mobility and transparency.

“We find the students are more engaged with this technology,” said Sleeper. “School districts are adopting as fast as budgets allow. Schools are trying to find the resources because of the impact it has on public education”.

“Most of the people we have here are the ones that are stepping out,” said Sleeper, “They are the leaders in their school who go back and try to take those late adopters and bring them along into the new world”.

TCEA is the largest state organization with a membership of more than 13,000 people with increasing membership from overseas, Mexico and Canada.

This convention is expected to contribute an estimated $13 million to the Austin economy.

For additional information, contact Marisol Valdez at mvaldez@tcea.org or 512-476-8500.