In our Making the Most of the ASCA Conference School Counseling on Air, Andrea Burston mentioned using Tagboard to follow #ASCA14 from near or far! I thought this was an excellent idea, so I wanted to share it with you on here. Even if you can't attend the ASCA Conference this year you can view tweets, pictures, videos, and other information by using Tagboard. You do not even need any social media accounts to access tags. In fact, you can search other hashtags too!
I attended my first ASCA conference in 2011 and I have been hooked ever since. I have spend the last view days prepping, planning, and thinking about all things ASCA! I can't wait to connect with school counselors during the ASCA National Conference in Orlando, FL! Below I share some tips for prepping and packing for the ASCA conference!
I recommend checking out the conference website before attending the conference. There is valuable information on the 2014 ASCA Conference Pageabout arranging for a shuttle to and from the hotel, purchasing discount DisneyWorld tickets, and up to date information about the conference.
I highly, highly recommend downloading the 2014 ASCA Conference App or using the web version of the app, even if you do not plan on attending the conference. You can use the app to download handouts and materials, mark sessions you want to attend, navigate your way around the conference, view the live Twitter feed, and more! Jeremy Goldman shares lots of great ASCA14 app info in the School Counseling on Air Hangout. Packing I squeeze everything I bring to the ASCA Conference in a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead compartment and a personal bag I stow under the seat in front of me. I like to pack as light as possible, which of course involves careful painstaking preparation beforehand. I lay out every outfit I plan to wear and make a plan for each day. I think about what I will be doing that day and if I will be wanting to change in the evening to go out for dinner. Sure it takes a lot of extra thought, but I don't carry a huge suitcase with me and it saves me time getting ready in the morning.
After I figure out the essentials (clothes, jewelry, hair supplies, toiletries, etc.) I start to think about what tech gear I want to bring with me. This year I have been going back and forth about whether or not I want to bring my iPad. I recently purchased a MacBook Air.... it is so light and tend not to use my iPad as much, so I am thinking about leaving it behind.
Tech Gadgets I will definitely be bringing along include..
Kindle Paperwhite (I have the 1st generation one) for reading on the plane
If you have not used OverDrive before, check it out! It allows you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks from your local library!
Mophie Juicepack for my iPhone 5 - it is a case and a charger. Great for travel!!!
Mini Travel USB/Outlet - this one is a little obsessive, but there is a definite lack of outlets at conferences and this way I can charge all of my devices at once!
Other things you might consider bringing...
address labels or an address stamp for filling out drawings at vendor booths
business cards for connecting with new school counselor friends or discovering new opportunities!
extra bag to bring any goodies you may have purchased along the way
Also, if you want to learn about how you can use Twitter as a school counselor, Dr. Erin Mason and I will be presenting Professional Development in 140 Characters or Feweron Tuesday, July 1 at 8:00 am in Swan 5.
More helpful tips:
The following posts contain lots of helpful information about attending the ASCA National Conference:
SCOPE, the School Counselor Online Professional Exchange, is hosting a Google Hangout June 24th at 8pm EST. Panelists Andrea Burston, Jeremy Goldman, Matthew McClain, Jeff Ream, Danielle Schultz (me) and Julia Taylor will share their expertise, perspectives, and practical tips for making the most of the ASCA conference. We will cover topics such as selecting and participating in sessions, getting the most out of exhibits, and networking and socializing. In addition, we will make suggestions for how those of you who aren’t able to attend the conference to still get valuable information and resources.
Feel free to ask questions during the event on Twitter by using the #scchat hashtag! This event can be viewed on the SCOPE website and below live on June 24th at 8pm EST or after it is recorded. Alternatively, you can also view it on the SCOPE Google Plus page.
As with all technologies, we may experience some hiccups, thanks for your patience as we work through them.
I really can't believe the school year is over! This year has been a whirlwind. I am ready for a break and glad things are winding down. I am looking forward to writing posts over the summer of things I have done this school year. I plan to write a re-cap post soon and elaborate on the different things in longer posts.
I took some pictures today of my office. I am still working a few days this week and over the summer. I realized I never shared pictures of my completed office on School Counselor Blog! I have been changing and re-arranging things all year. It has come a long way from my blank slate!
