Top+13+Reasons


 * [[image:aaimconference/merged_final_copy.jpg width="312" height="224" align="left"]] || =//Not registered for the AAIM "Passport to Excellence" conference yet? Why not? All conferences involve an investment of time as well as a financial commitment, but when you attend a conference of like-minded individuals, it can have a positive impact on your career. Here are the "Top 13" reasons YOU should attend the 2013 AAIM conference in Rogers, Arkansas (April 21-23, 2013).//= ||

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Being around people all working toward the same goal is inspiring! AAIM's 700 plus members have a wealth of knowledge and countless years of experience and all are willing to share their expertise with you.=====

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Learn from over ninety thought-provoking concurrent sessions spanning three days and covering critical topics including reading strategies, technology and library program updates, and Common Core implementation.=====

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Currently, six regional authors are ready to share their fiction and non-fiction works and discuss writing techniques and strategies to engage your students. All will have copies of their books to sale and will be happy to autographed them for your library.=====

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//Cassandra Barnett////,// Fayetteville High School librarian, who helped write the National Standards for the 21st Century Learner, the National Standards for the 21st Century Learner in Action, and The AASL Standards/Common Core Crosswalk document. She is a past president of the American Association of School Librarians and continues to be very active in the organization. =====

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// Dr. Marcus Childress //, President of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) and professor and department chair of Instructional Design & Technology at Emporia State University (Kansas). As a scholarly activity, Dr. Childress explores new technologies and methodologies and their impact upon teaching, learning, and performance improvement. His expertise will add depth to our panel discussion.=====

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// Shirley Fetherolf //, Arkansas Department of Education's Media Services Program Advisor and author of the "Hooray for Books" blog which aims to keep Arkansas library media specialists informed of current media trends and educational developments. Mrs. Fetherolf will discuss the role of the library media specialist in the Common Core State Standards curriculum and will outline the process of updating the Library Media Frameworks. =====

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// Dr. Nykela Jackson //, Assessment Coordinator for Pulaski Technical College. Dr. Jackson will address technology integration questions as they relate to the Common Core State Standards. She was previously the Public School Program Advisor for Technology Integration in the Curriculum and Instruction Unit at the Arkansas Department of Education and an instructional technologist who helped teachers incorporate Web 2.0 tools and 21st century skills into the curriculum. =====

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As a former kindergarten teacher and school Director of Technology, Steve Dembo (Monday Keynote) is a pioneer in the field of educational social networking. Currently serving as Discovery Education's Director of Social Media Strategy and Online Community, Dembo was among the first educators to realize the power of Web 2.0 technologies in connecting educators and creating professional learning communities. The National School Board Association named Dembo one of "Twenty to Watch," a list honoring individuals finding innovative ways to use technology to increase classroom learning. He has delivered keynote and featured presentations at numerous conferences, such as ISTE, TCEA, TED, and 4T, where he shares stimulating state-of-the-art ideas for emerging technology into the 21st century classroom. =====

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Neal Shusterman (Sunday Keynote) is a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. His books have received awards from the International Reading Association and the American Library Association, as well as state and local awards from across the county. He has written for the Goosebumps and Animorphs TV series and wrote the Disney Channel original movie Pixie Perfect. Shusterman, who is currently in movie negotiations for his Unwind trilogy, weaves true-to-life characters into riveting issues with a unique and entertaining sense of humor. =====

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Where else can you find book vendors from around the state, region, and nation all in one place? Also, all the major library system and software vendors and their products will be available in the exhibit hall. It's the best place to find the right tools and technologies for you! =====

AAIM's annual conference is totally focused on the needs of library media and technology specialists. It's the premier event for meeting with your peers.
Register for the AAIM Conference at http://www.regonline.com/ __Register__ /Checkin.aspx?EventID=1172570