It's been two weeks since we've been back from Australia and it's time to reflect and recap the highlights and share some additional photos.
I went to Aussie to present at their ACEC Conference, which is Australia's technology conference. Sessions offered up everything from using Twitter in the class (which they do, and it is NOT blocked) to appraising math apps and so much in between. Some sessions were only thirty minutes some forty-five, and there were still other that ran an hour and a half. There was a day of workshops and field trips, the food was catered and delicious. The Aussies know how to put on a conference Everyone, and I do mean everyone, showed their appreciation and gratitude with a loud applause at the conclusion of each session. I attended a lot of interesting sessions on how iPads were used in the classroom because my presentation was also on using iPads in the classroom. I showed the Aussies how we roll with the iPads and use them to create all sorts of meaningful and creative products. The presentation went off without a hitch and the audience was terrific. I had a nice crowd and received some good feedback.
I have to add a bit of trivia here as it really speaks to their hospitality and how they run a conference. All of my presentations, prior to this, had been in the United States from Washington State to Pennsylvania. To present, one must agree to a list of terms, which usually include fees. It's odd that we pay so much to attend these conferences yet the presenters also have to pay a registration fee - full price, most of the time. In addition to the registration fee, we (the presenter)) also must supply our own laptop, projector, that is unless you want to rent theirs for a nominal fee of $200, provide our own audio speakers, and sometimes table. The Aussies not only provided all of the above for free, but they also loaded my presentation (which included videos) onto the laptop I'd be using and tested it prior to my presentation! Everything was set up and free! It made my traveling light.
I have to extend a huge thanks to the folks that ran the conference, they did a remarkable job running the program and offering up great food, keynote speakers and insightful sessions.
The conference took up a few of my days but I had four days of play (2 weekends). We also had some afternoons to galavant and that's just what we did. My students helped plan my trip with a project they did last spring called, "Aussie Bound". They had to create an itinerary of my entire trip, from flight prices, hotels, restaurants to rental cars and places of interests. They had fun, and I had fun looking at their projects. They definitely had fun things for Richard and I to do and see. I gave them some of my bucket list items and managed to pull them off....
Here are some of their 'MUST SEE" things Richard and I did. Students, this is for you!
I went to Aussie to present at their ACEC Conference, which is Australia's technology conference. Sessions offered up everything from using Twitter in the class (which they do, and it is NOT blocked) to appraising math apps and so much in between. Some sessions were only thirty minutes some forty-five, and there were still other that ran an hour and a half. There was a day of workshops and field trips, the food was catered and delicious. The Aussies know how to put on a conference Everyone, and I do mean everyone, showed their appreciation and gratitude with a loud applause at the conclusion of each session. I attended a lot of interesting sessions on how iPads were used in the classroom because my presentation was also on using iPads in the classroom. I showed the Aussies how we roll with the iPads and use them to create all sorts of meaningful and creative products. The presentation went off without a hitch and the audience was terrific. I had a nice crowd and received some good feedback.
I have to add a bit of trivia here as it really speaks to their hospitality and how they run a conference. All of my presentations, prior to this, had been in the United States from Washington State to Pennsylvania. To present, one must agree to a list of terms, which usually include fees. It's odd that we pay so much to attend these conferences yet the presenters also have to pay a registration fee - full price, most of the time. In addition to the registration fee, we (the presenter)) also must supply our own laptop, projector, that is unless you want to rent theirs for a nominal fee of $200, provide our own audio speakers, and sometimes table. The Aussies not only provided all of the above for free, but they also loaded my presentation (which included videos) onto the laptop I'd be using and tested it prior to my presentation! Everything was set up and free! It made my traveling light.
I have to extend a huge thanks to the folks that ran the conference, they did a remarkable job running the program and offering up great food, keynote speakers and insightful sessions.
The conference took up a few of my days but I had four days of play (2 weekends). We also had some afternoons to galavant and that's just what we did. My students helped plan my trip with a project they did last spring called, "Aussie Bound". They had to create an itinerary of my entire trip, from flight prices, hotels, restaurants to rental cars and places of interests. They had fun, and I had fun looking at their projects. They definitely had fun things for Richard and I to do and see. I gave them some of my bucket list items and managed to pull them off....
Here are some of their 'MUST SEE" things Richard and I did. Students, this is for you!
 Ride a camel! Yes, this was on my bucket list and my students helped me find where I could go and ride a camel. We were going to go on an hour ride along the beach at sunset, but I settled for a short jaunt along the beach. Glad too! It's hard riding a camel! |  |
 |  Australian Sea Lions on SealBay, Kangaroo Island |
Get close to sea lions and seals. This is the New Zealand Fur Seal. He was stretched out on a jetty that we walked along. So cool.
 This is a white kangaroo, not albino. They must have been breeding like crazy because they were all over this conservation park. |  Richard getting in on the fun! |
Whoa! The World's Largest Rocking Horse!
Yes this is the Jayson Werth Gnome of the Washington Nationals. He is standing in front of the world's largest Rocking Horse. It really is quite large!
Burger King is not allowed in Australia due to another restaurant called 'Burger King' long before our American franchise hit their shores. The original has a copyright on the name so no other restaurant is allowed with that name. What did Burger King do? Rename themselves just for the Aussies! Clever Americans.
 I know I know...it's well, disturbing, but mom and joey are peacefully resting. |  Awwww, here's a kangaroo snuggling with my baguette, Bo, who travels everywhere with me. The Aussies were like, "Huh?" But they liked him! I tried to tell them we Americans have a tradition to travel with a baguette. |
Two new friends from Down Under, who loved Bo. They are part of the famous Beerenberg Fruit Farm. They make famous jellies, kind of like our Smuckers.
We saw horses everywhere! Adelaide hills had a lot of horses, vineyards and sheep. The Clydesdales were my favorite!
 Beautiful waterfall we found on a short hike! |   I love these trees! They were like a cross between a palm and a pine. When they are really tall, they look a lot like our fake cell phone towers! |
The Beast
Giant local lizards - shingle-back skink called, Sleepies or Stumpies. This one greeted us at the resort.
The Beauty
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The Memories!
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