Early registration discounts for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps are available for sixteen more days. In the last couple of weeks I’ve answered a bunch of similar questions about the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp and the Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp. Here are those questions and their answers which includes a guest appearance by my daughter, Isla.

1. What’s the difference between the BYOD Camp and the Chromebook Camp? 
In short, the Chromebook Camp is designed specifically for addressing the needs of teachers and students who will be using Chromebooks as their primary devices in their classrooms. The content of the BYOD Camp is designed to be adaptable to any platform. Here’s a video explanation with Isla.

2. My school is transitioning to G Suite for Education (formerly Google Apps), will this help me?
In short, yes. The both of the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps will include the use of Google tools in each day. The Chromebook camp will have more G Suite items than the BYOD camp. We will share methods for incorporating Google tools into much of what we do. That said, this is not focused only on Google tools. Both of the the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps are based on my framework of Discovery, Discussion, and Demonstration.

The first day is focused helping students use technology to discover and discuss information. Day one of the Chromebook camp will also cover workflow on Chromebooks. Likewise the first day of the BYOD camp will cover workflow on iPads, laptops, and Android devices. The second day of both camps is focused on demonstrating knowledge by creating new digital content including podcasts, videos, and other multimedia productions.

3. How much time will I have to practice on my own/ with my colleague? 
I build in lots of time for hands-on practice. Circular tables are used so that you can face each other, meet new people, and learn and work together. I explain a bit more in this video.

4. I want to bring my principal, will she/he benefit from attending?
Absolutely! As I’ve heard my friend Scott McLeod say, “the leaders must get it.” This is a great opportunity for your principal to gain a great understanding of what you and your colleagues want to do when school starts again in the fall. Equally importantly, they’ll learn why you want to do it.

5. My school is going 1:1 with iPads, will the BYOD camp help me?
Yes. We will be looking at a bunch of apps and their applications for classrooms.

6. Will you be streaming this online?
No. The Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps are designed to be hands-on and a livestream wouldn’t really capture the experience. However, for 2017 I have designed an online course that will closely mimic the BYOD camp. Check out the Practical Ed Tech Jumpstart.

7. How do I get to Portland, Maine? What can I do once I’m there? How do I get around in Portland?
Portland has an international airport (airport code PWM) serviced by American, United, Delta, SouthWest, and Jet Blue. Boston/ Logan Airport is about 90 miles away. The hotel is about a ten minute cab ride from the Portland airport. Uber is available in Portland. When we’re done for the day you can walk to dozens of restaurants along the Old Port’s cobblestone streets, walk to the ocean, or even hop a boat and take a sunset cruise to see the islands in Casco Bay. Beaches and lighthouses are just a few minutes drive from the hotel (my favorite lighthouse is this one).

8. Why aren’t these events free?
There are two reasons why they aren’t free. First, I incur a lot of expenses in organizing and hosting the events. Second, while all of the sites and apps we will use are free, my time for teaching about them isn’t free.

9. Are there things for my kids/ my spouse/ my partner to do during the day?
The great thing about the location of the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps is that it puts you in walking and or driving distance to lots of things. The Portland Museum of Art and the Children’s Museum of Maine are within walking distance. Beaches are within 10-15 minutes of driving (if you just want to see the ocean, that’s a 7 minute walk). There are many public and private golf courses within 10-20 minutes of driving.

10. We would love to attend but the dates don’t work for us, will you be offering this at another time?
At this time I don’t have plans to offer the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps on other dates. I am more than happy to come to your school district to offer a workshop. Please click here for information about my on-location professional development services.

11. Can I register with a purchase order / check from my school?
Yes, you can. To register with a purchase order or a check from your school email me or have your business administrator email at richardbyrne (at) freetech4teachers.com and I will register you on receipt of the purchase order. Please note that the early registration discount is only available if you register through the online form.