November 2, 2012
Dear Trey,
As I mentioned at the end of the 2012 Lausanne Laptop Institute, throughout our ten years we have seen quite a change in the direction and focus of the event. Because of your continued support, involvement, and suggestions, we have been transitioning over the years from a device-centered (i.e., laptop) conference to more of a best practices, student engagement, pedagogical, and curricular focused, learning conference. For this reason, we feel like a name change is in order!
…..So, beginning this summer, our 11th year, the Lausanne Laptop Institute will be known as the Lausanne Learning Institute!
Collaboration and connecting with new and old colleagues is paramount to this event, and that core will continue. We will still have a techie track, still have sessions that focus on administrative level planning, but will add more sessions that focus on things like student-centered teaching, innovative application, building professional learning communities, project based learning, thematic approaches, and more.
What can you do to help? Submit a proposal to present! As you know, Lausanne is the host of this event, but we are by no means the experts. The experts are the collective yearly presentations offered by teachers, administrators, tech leaders, and trainers. Keep in mind these suggested tracks when considering your proposal: Leadership, Digital Citizenship, 1:1 Program Planning and Design, Technical Aspects of a 1:1 Program, Subject-Specific Technology Uses, Training Teachers in Technology Integration, Library / Media Center role, Project—based learning, Innovative Applications, Readers’ Workshop, Writers’ Workshop, Building Professional Learning Communities, Teachers New to 1:1 Learning, School Identify, Vision, and Mission, Thematic Learning, Differentiation, Assessment, Arts, PE/Athletics.
In addition, I’d like to announce some other exciting news:
- We have two keynote speakers this year! Chris Lehmann, principal of the Science and Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, will speak on Sunday evening. Tim Rylands, a creative and inspiring educator, will speak on Monday morning.
- We are “ramping up” our preconference workshops to include a variety of offerings, including sessions by our two keynote speakers. Please pay close attention to these workshops during your registration and as you plan your travel.
- We are adding a third day to the conference that will include offerings geared toward constructivist learning and curricular and leadership workshops. This portion of the conference will include a keynote speaker (TBA) on Tuesday evening, dinner, and a full day of workshops at Lausanne on Wednesday. These 1-hour sessions and 2-hour workshops are designed to go deeper in areas such as project based learning, readers’/writers’ workshop in elementary grades, strategic planning in independent schools, athletics operations, and advancement and admissions sessions. This portion is included for all registrations but also can be attended separately from the main event.
- I’m pleased to annouce our 2013 School Spotlight, Cary Academy from Cary, NC! Congratulations to the commitment this innovative school has made to this year’s event!
- Registration will open soon!
Thanks for your time, continued involvement, and support of this learning community! Please forward this email to others you may know that could add to the rich selection of sessions and worskhops this summer!
And, don’t forget to submit your proposal to present! I’d like to have them all in by January 15.
Stewart Crais
Director, Lausanne Learning Institute