1. Worksheets-Now is a great time to pitch those in the recycling bin. An unofficial #CUErecycledrive is requesting your blackline masters, tired worksheets and multiple-choice bubble forms. You'll be learning how to go paperlite and create more meaningful lessons for your students so why not take the opportunity to change your ways! You won't miss them at all. You can always use the paper to practice your origami while waiting for the next session to start. Follow the movement on twitter with #BYOW (Bring Your Old Worksheets).
2.Camera-For participating in The Unofficial CUE Photo Crawl. This is another underground event that is not affiliated with CUE. Meet others for a walk to downtown Palm Springs and capture the sights as you go. You'll also want to have a photo sharing app such as Instagram loaded on your mobile phone. Follow #cue14photowalk
3. Mobile Power- Being locked down to a power outlet in a dark corner is no way to spend your precious time at CUE. Invest in an additional portable power device.
4. Sleep Inducing Music and/or Spa Goop-By the end of the day you will be pumped with so many ideas that your neurons will be firing like crazy making sleep challenging. Give your brain and eyes a rest with a relaxing mini spa treatment before bedtime.
5. SCHED-Use this mobile web app for iPhone, Android and Blackberry to plan out your day. Save your schedule to refer to throughout the day. Make sure you have a plan B and a plan C for each session time frame as rooms quickly fill up. A map of the convention center is included that shows room locations.
6. Twitter Account- Being the awesome educator that you are, you'll want to share your learning experience with others that are missing out on CUE 14. Your PLN will thank you. If for some reason you don't have a twitter account, thinking this out loud repeatedly in the lobby will surely summon a twitter angel to appear. He or she will help you smash your egg (the initial twitter profile pic) and get you set up for your first scheduled #caedchat.
7. Note-taking System-For each session time frame you'll want to have a place to record all the good stuff for later retrieval. Set up a shared Gogle doc or your preferred method beforehand.
8. A Smile-Don't forget to smile and introduce yourself to those around you. Offer a free charge from your portable power to someone having a tech "emergency".
9. Fun- There are plenty of unofficial meet-ups, #coffeecue events, and spontaneous get togethers where you can unwind and just connect with people in small groups or 1-1. Some edtech companies sponsor receptions for you to get to know them better. Take advantage of these opportunities to nourish yourself and your network at the same time.
10. Spirit- Bring your spirit of adventure and a willingness to try something new.
What are you bringing to CUE this year? Please share your tips for having a productive and positive experience.