The FREEloader's Session on Educational Software
Brenda Wade, Miller County Middle/High School, Colquitt, Georgia

            One of the primary reasons for attending the Georgia Educational Technology Conference on November 15-17, 2006, was all the free material and information that I would receive.  When most teachers/educators hear the word “free,” their adrenaline starts to flow.  The session entitled “The FREEloader’s Session on Educational Software” really caught my eye.  In the description of the session, the word FREE reoccurred several times in the paragraph.  When the last sentenced stated that “participants would receive a FREE CD,” the decision was made.   I would definitely have to get to that session early and secure a seat.  I thought attendance would be slim since it was one of the last sessions of the conference.  It did not take me very long to realize that several attendees staying for the end of the conference had the same idea about “The FREEloader’s Session.”  In fact, the room was overflowing.  People were sitting on the floor, and standing outside the door.  I think the presenters were pleasantly surprised at the attendance.  They attempted to accommodate everyone, and since there were not enough copies of the CD, they graciously offered to send anyone a copy of the CD that requested one.
            I must say that this session was a pleasant surprise.  Not only did we get free materials, but the presenters did an excellent job of capturing and holding our attention.  I had no idea that GPB offered so many “freebies.”  The gentlemen presenters, Daniel Rivera and Jeff Giddens, did a wonderful job.  They were entertaining, and definitely knew their material.  I could tell that this was not the first time the two of them had worked together and definitely sold me on the available “products.”  The only problem was time and space (or the lack thereof).  The session needed to be two hours, and it should have been held in a much larger room.  The demonstration about the solar system was fascinating.  My science teachers will enjoy using it with their students.
            I signed up for United Streaming over the internet last year, but did not use it very much.  The only training I had received was trial and error.  I had no idea what a STAR Discovery Educator was.  After attending this session, I came away excited about the possibilities available through United Streaming.  The presenters were so excited that it generated excitement among all of us attending the session and encouraged us to come back to school and spread the news.  I could hardly wait to tell the teachers in my school about United Streaming. 
After returning to school, I began showing the teachers the possibilities associated with United Streaming as well as other teacher tools provided by GPB.  I retrieved our school site number and began helping teachers sign up immediately.  I bought CD’s and asked teachers if there was anything I could copy for them to use.  I demonstrated how to download some of the videos on their desktops for use and how to use an LCD projector with United Streaming videos.  They were impressed with the program, and I became their “new best friend.”
            The teachers at my school were excited because it gave them more teaching tools, and it was correlated to standards.  With our budget cuts (especially in Library/Media Centers), anything useful is appreciated by teachers.  It was like an early Christmas present to several teachers.  Several of the teachers were excited to get new resources that could be used with inclusion students.
            Fortunately for me, the Albany State ETTC had scheduled a United Streaming workshop on November 28-29, 2006.  I was able to attend both sessions, gain more understanding about United Streaming, and apply for STAR Discovery Educator status. 
            This session was one of the best sessions that I have attended at any GaETC.  I hope that there will be more useful sessions like this one in the future.    

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