Tony Vincent started teaching fifth grade in Omaha, Nebraska thirteen years ago when it wasn’t so easy to publish online. Knowing that students were motivated to see their work on the Web, Tony first had students write their book reviews on Amazon.com.  Later his students spent each school year adding to their classroom site, Planet 5th. They published writing, photos, journals, art, videos, and more. Planet 5th became so popular that it received thousands of hits from around the world. In 2001, Tony and his students began using Palm handheld computers and added a “Learning in Hand” section to Planet 5th. Tony witnessed how empowered his students were using the Palms, and was called a “tireless evangelist for the power of handhelds” by Edutopia magazine.

In 2004 Tony became Willowdale Elementary’s technology specialist. He worked with students in grades kindergarten through five and their teachers to integrate technology. As tech specialist, he continued to have student contribute to the web. He developed Radio WillowWeb (Radio for Kids, by Kids) in 2005, making it the first podcast from an American elementary school.

Tony left regular teaching at Willowdale to become an independent consultant in 2006. While he misses his former school, he’s had an amazing few years. Currently based in Phoenix, Arizona, Tony has worked with K-12 teachers and students from around the world. Tony co-wrote Handhelds for Teachers & Administrators, a book about handheld computers, iPods, and podcasting. He presents at educational conferences and travels to schools to deliver workshops to teachers and students. Currently popular topics include iPod touch, iPad, podcasting, and web tools.

As part of the Mobile Learning Experience 2011′s conference team, Tony has great stuff in store for April’s event. He will present sessions about personal productivity and mobile movie making, as well as host a fun closing game show.

Tony Vincent’s websites include Learning in Hand, TonyVincent.net, Our City Podcast, and the Arizona K12 Center Technology Blog. Follow Tony on Twitter at twitter.com/tonyvincent.

Derek Keenan teaches high school English in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada. He’s taught with a class set of iPod touches for the last two years and has seen some amazing developments in blending mobile learning with engaging activities for students. Recently, Derek won a grant for a class set of iPads. The iPads have been ordered and his students are on the edge of their seats waiting for the new technology.

Derek is very conscious of what students are supposed to get out of the technology. In fact, he is a divisional leader in 21st century learning and using technology to inspire critical thinking. He writes about using leadership, professional learning, and mobile devices on his Developing Education blog. Derek is completing a Masters Degree in professional learning, and his research is focused on utilization of student-owned devices and personalization of mobile learning.

Obviously, Mr. Keenan has much to share about mobile learning. He is set to present “Using iPod Touch Apps to Break Through with High School Writing” at Mobile Learning Experience 2011. He’s worked closely with app developers and will showcase highlights and limitations of various apps. He will also showcase student work. Derek has presented interactive professional learning sessions locally, divisionally, provincially on mobile learning in education, so you can look forward to a fantastic hour with Derek.

Follow Derek on Twitter and come to mobile2011 to connect with him.

Mobile Learning Experience 2011 already has a great line-up of speakers. From teachers, to visionaries, to students, those presenting have a passion for mobile learning. Are you interested in sharing your passion? mobile 2011 is accepting proposals to present breakout sessions. If you are interested in presenting, please complete this form. The event’s schedule will be finalized in January, so please complete a proposal before December 1, 2010.

Registration is now open for Mobile Learning Experience 2011. The registration deadline is March 1, 2011, but the conference is expected to sell out before the deadline. The registration fee is $995. Compared to other conferences, this may seem costly. However, registration includes:

• a room at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Phoenix for two nights
• over two dozen different breakout sessions over the course of three days
• insightful panel discussions
• remarkable opening keynote by Graham Brown-Martin
• informative closing day keynote by Tony Vincent
• buffet breakfasts and lunches catered by the Hyatt
• opening plated dinner catered by the Hyatt
• time to connect with educators from inside and outside the country
• extraordinary networking opportunities
• laptop backpack with room for a laptop and mobile device
• beautiful April weather in Phoenix, Arizona

The conference team looked into many venues for mobile 2011 and the Hyatt Regency Downtown met the criteria in size, availability, proximity to the airport, hospitality, and internet capacity.

The conference team, presenters, and the Arizona K12 Center are not making a profit from Mobile Learning Experience 2011. The event is a volunteer effort and every dollar of the registration goes into the venue, catering, materials, and logistics. There is no other conference in the United States like the Mobile Learning Experience, so you won’t want to miss out on this incredible event!

The Arizona K12 Center, part of Northern Arizona University, has partnered with a group of educators who are passionate about mobile learning to bring you the Mobile Learning Experience 2011. The Center’s professional development opportunities have a reputation for being top-notch, making them the perfect organization to facilitate mobile 2011.

The Arizona K12 Center began as an initiative from Governor Jane Dee Hull that would support teacher professional development so that teachers, in turn, could enhance their students’ learning.

The Legislature approved and funded the Arizona K12 Center to begin in July, 1999. In the next several years, the Center expanded by collaborating and partnering with Arizona’s universities, other state and national learning institutions, educational organizations, and community and business leaders.

Read More…

The Mobile Learning Experience 2011 is pleased to have Graham Brown-Martin as the opening keynote speaker. Graham will present Wednesday evening after dinner, and you won’t want to miss his innovative insights into learning, teaching, and technology.Graham Brown-Martin is the founder and managing director of Learning Without Frontiers a publishing, research and events organization focused on new learning and teaching practice.

Read More…

The Mobile Learning Experience is the result of Katherine Burdick’s desire to gather those interested in mobile learning together to talk successes, challenges, and ideas. She contacted practitioners and visionaries like Susan Wells, Lucy Gray, and Travis Allen and they agreed a conference devoted to mobile devices in education was needed in the United States. Katherine connected with Tony Vincent, a fellow Arizona resident, and they began planning The Mobile Learning Experience 2011. Putting on a conference is a big undertaking, so they partnered with the Arizona K12 Center. mobile 2011 is made possible by the work of many people, especially Katherine.

Katherine Burdick has worked in the education sector for over thirty years. Using her experiences as a teacher and a school administrator, she has developed a strong track record of creating innovative leading educational products while holding marketing and editorial positions within companies such as Pearson Education and Scholastic Inc. For the last six years she has served as the Director of Development at Learning A-Z – a company that delivers educational resources in reading, writing, and science, over the Internet. Currently she is developing apps that promote reading through mobile devices.

Katherine is speaking at the TOC 2011: Publishing Without Boundaries and TEAC in Austin in February. Most importantly Katherine will be presenting sessions at The Mobile Learning Experience 2011. Check out her website and Twitter.