James McConville

Let me tell you about our gathering in an online environment.  CUEBC’s executives have decided to connect to each other and our member through Facebook.  You might be questioning our choice of environments as it is true that the majority of Facebook users are the age of our students.  This is precisely why we have chosen to engage.  It is the most powerful social network currently on the internet.  Since I’ve joined, I’ve connected to over 100 co-workers, CUE members and ex-students who are currently at university.  I get information about the current status of my friends and get comments on my postings.  As some of you know, I’m expecting my third child on June 22nd and have a baby pool on facebook.  Once you’ve posted on the baby pool, take a moment to join the CUEBC group on facebook.  The URL is: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2262778050

Now, let me tell you about our next CUE meeting in the physical environment.  We have a fabulous conference lined us for this fall’s Provincial Specialist Day.  Our keynote speaker is Will Richardson who will share ways to connect with students through blogs, wiki’s and podcasts.  We will be bringing in the top technology sponsors in the province.  Our gold sponsor this year is Adobe, a company who products we all enjoy.  The best part of the conference is always getting together and sharing stories about our experiences during the past year.  This year we are working in association with the Educators of Distributed Learning and AEGTCCBC (Gifted PSA).  We are still accepting applications to present please pick up the form on our conference website http://www.cuebc.ca/conference/.

Finally, I’d like to congratulate all the teachers and student who entered our stop-motion video contest this year.  We had amazing feedback from everyone who participated on how engaging it was for their students to create videos on a curriculum topic, load them on YouTube to share with the world and then vote on their favourites.  We would have given prizes to everyone if we could have but we were limited to ten winners who each received $50 at Futureshop.  Take a moment to look at the winners (http://youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CF99A92EC3C13923) and plan on how your students will enter next year.

Finally please join me in welcoming the newest member of the CUEBC executive.  Janice Hayes has volunteered to work as our member-at-large to support the CUEBC initiatives such as the conference.  Thank you Janice!

Wishing you all a long and restful summer.
James McConville
President
Computer Using Educators of BC