Brad has been an elementary, middle, and high school teacher, as well as the director of technology which gives him a perspective of teaching all ages of students and what it is like at both the classroom and district levels. Brad is currently the technology teacher at Bethke Elementary in Timnath, Colorado.

He focuses his experiences on designing technology curriculum for students from kindergarten to 5th grade. Brad is an educational technology consultant who specializes in teaching 21st Century Skills to students, teachers and administrators by showing simple and easy tricks to incorporate and integrate technology into everyday lessons. He works with schools to inspire teachers to use these 21st Century Skills to energize and engage students. In addition, he is a presenter and speaker who gives workshops, seminars and conferences to educators on how to do what he does.

In 2010 Brad published his first book, Teaching With Netbooks and is currently working on his new book, Unbelievable Tech Projects for Elementary Students.

What is Podstock?

We get that a lot. Podstock is learning, fun, community, technology and family. Still not sure? Maybe this video can help.

If you were there, you’ll remember:

• My Big Campus training
• Flash mob at the Old Town Farmer’s Market
• Awesome Friday night reception with food, drinks and dancing
• Photos in the Volkswagon bus
• Sweet sessions
• Delicious afternoon brownies
• Fun un-conference discussions

If you weren’t able to make it, check out some of what you missed:

It all started with one question:

Can learning about technology integration be both fun and effective?

Our answer? Of course.

At ESSDACK, we work especially hard to make learning fun. So why not have fun learning about technology integration? And from that simple question, Podstock was born. We held our first conference back in 2009 with a focus on podcasting. Together with a love of 60s music, it just seemed right to title our little get-together Podstock.

We invited all of our social networking buddies on Plurk, Twitter and Facebook, added our local ESSDACK friends and met in Wichita in the Old Town area. Kevin Honeycutt posted this way back when:

Possibility is in the air like it was in the summer of 1969, forty years ago. Those who seek educational freedom of expression for themselves and their learners will make a pilgrimage to Old Town in Wichita, Kansas for two full days of the joy of free and easy technology tools, the peace of mind that comes from doing all we can to empower learners and the love of communing with other enlightened educators from around the world. Here in this location we will change the educational world with a little help from our friends. Participants will become teachers and teachers will become participants as we open the door to this ‘un’ Conference experience.

There were low key sessions, tons of conversation, lots of interaction between sessions, a great band, dancing Friday night and just like that, a tradition was born. We originally thought that we might change the title every year but everyone fell in love with Podstock and now we couldn’t rid of it if we wanted to.

In 2010 and 2011, news of the fun and learning spread. Since our first summer of love, we’ve added more participants, a Volkswagon bus, guitar picks, different music, a 1950s diner, a flash mob, national sponsors and bowling shirts.

But there’s been two constants over the years. We’re still learning. And we’re still having fun!

So we don’t mind experimenting a bit if we think it will help people walk away smarter than when they arrived. One of our more successful experiments has been the Un-Conference part of Podstock. You can bet that we’ll be tweaking the concept between now and July 2012 but the basic idea is pretty simple:

We let you plan the conference.

Okay . . . not the whole conference. There will still be presenters from all over sharing their stuff with us in a more traditional conference format on Thursday and Friday. But the optional sessions on Wednesday evening will be all you.

Here’s how it works:

At 5:00 pm on Wednesday, July 18th, show up at the Hotel at Old Town Conference Center. We’ll spend the next two hours talking about only those things you want to learn more about. And because it’s part of your Podstock registration, participation in the Un-Conference is free!

When the schedule of sessions and events for Thursday and Friday is published, spend some time giving it a good once over. Is there something there you want to know more about? Is there something that’s not there that you’re dying to know more about? Maybe you even want to share some learning that didn’t make it on the program. That’s what the Un-Conference is all about – giving you a chance to speak up.

Once you’ve had a chance to look over the program, you’ll have the opportunity on Wednesday afternoon to suggest topics and ideas that might be a good addition. Maybe you notice that more cell phones conversations would be good, maybe more PBL, more smart boards. Who knows what you might be interested in learning or sharing with others? Kevin and Ginger will facilitate a process that will let everyone suggest ideas and to vote on their favorites.

After you’ve all voted, we’ll tally the top hits and send them right back to you with room assignments and in a rough schedule. You’ll be able to make your own voice heard by picking a topic and volunteering to run your own session. Grab a friend or two who can help to make it even cooler!

And once the Un-Conference session starts up, feel free to shop around and join whatever conversation sounds the most interesting! The more we talk and share, the smarter we all get.

Are there registration deadlines?
No. But there is an early bird special that offers a $50 discount. The early bird deadline is June 1.

Can I pay with a purchase order or credit card?
Yes. Visit the Events Registration page for details.

Who is Podstock 2012 really for?
Podstock is for anyone interested in improving education. There are sessions for all grade levels and technology comfort levels. If you’re a technology coordinator, technology integration coach, classroom teacher, system admin, principal or superintendent, there’s something for you.

Are there things to do after the day’s sessions are over?
Yes. The conference is in a section of Wichita called Old Town. Old Town’s has restaurants, bars, dance clubs, museums and almost all of them within walking distance of the conference hotel.

I’m driving. Where do I park?
There are several free parking options right next door to the conference center.

Is lunch included in my registration fee?
Lunch is not provided but there are lots of lunch options within in walking distance of the conference center. There will also be coffee and snacks in the morning as well as afternoon refreshment breaks. (The hotel brownies are awesome!)

Is there a group discount?
There are discounts for groups of 10 or more. Call Pam at 620-663-9566 or email her for details.

What about graduate credit?
You can earn credit from Friends University. Contact Michelle Reavis at 620-663-9566 or email her.

If I am presenting at the conference, do I need to register for the conference?
Yes. Please remember that everyone who will be attending the conference needs to register. But presenters will be able to attend for free.

Do I need a laptop?
No. But it is a tech conference so . . .

What is the best way to get updates at the conference?
Check the conference news page, the Community page and follow on Twitter, Plurk and Facebook with the hashtag #podstock2012.

Will there be free wifi throughout the entire conference center?
Our free network is accessible in all meeting rooms and public spaces.

How does the Un-Conference work?
It’s pretty simple. The group suggests possible session topics, votes on their favorites and then people volunteer to present on those topics. It’s all pretty loosey-goosey but the goal is to let the crowd learn what it wants to learn.

Will sessions be available for viewing after the conference?
Sessions captured on iHigh will be available at the Podstock iHigh web site.

Do you collect feedback about the conference?
Yes, we ask for both session specific feedback and general conference evaluations. You can provide session feedback immediately following the session and a general evaluation after the conference. A few days after the conference ends, you’ll receive an email with a reminder to let us know what you think.

What if I register but later can’t make the conference? Can I get a refund?
There will be no penalty for cancellations received on or before the date 30 days prior to the first day of the pre-conference. The full amount paid minus a $25 processing fee will be refunded. All cancellations must be sent in writing via fax, e-mail or regular mail.