News Release -- March 11, 2008
Author and Journalist James Surowiecki to Provide Opening Keynote for ISTE'S NECC 2008 in San Antonio

News Release -- Nov. 16, 2007
National Educational Computing Conference 2008 Dates And Location Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2008

Author and Journalist James Surowiecki to Provide Opening Keynote for ISTE'S NECC 2008 in San Antonio

Washington, D.C. -- The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE(r)) is pleased to announce that noted author and journalist James Surowiecki will deliver the opening keynote address at the 29th annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), to be held June 29 through July 2, 2008 at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

"We're very pleased to bring James Surowiecki to NECC audiences this year," says Leslie Conery, NECC Conference Chair and ISTE Deputy CEO. "His ideas for managing the 'wisdom of crowds' are tremendously relevant to what we do in education -- from kids working together in the classroom, to school-wide and district leadership, to very large scale collaborative projects. Innovative and practical, his work focuses on the how-to of good group decisions. How do we dodge both groupthink and an over-reliance on outside experts?† How do we gather and aggregate collective wisdom into a usable roadmap? This keynote should really set the stage for a wonderful conversation!"

Formerly a history professor at Yale, Surowiecki combines rigorous thought with entertaining examples from a wide array of disciplines. He writes a twice monthly column for "The New Yorker" magazine and is the author of "The Wisdom of Crowds." Before joining "The New Yorker," he wrote a financial column for "New York" magazine and was a contributing editor at "Fortune." Surowiecki has also written for a range of other publications, including "The New York Times Magazine," "Wired" and "The Wall Street Journal."

The world's most comprehensive Ed Tech event, NECC 2008: Convene, Connect, Transform, is presented by ISTE in cooperation with the Texas Computer Education Association. More than 17,000 teachers, teacher educators, technology coordinators, library media specialists, administrators, policy makers, industry representatives, and exhibitors from around the globe are expected to attend.

Billed as the most hands-on and interactive conference yet, NECC 2008 will provide attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate with peers from around the globe. Conference offerings include hands-on labs; bring-your-own-laptop sessions; model classrooms and dedicated peer-to-peer learning spaces, including a Bloggers' Cafe and lounges for Podcasting and Second Life.

For nearly three decades, NECC has provided K-20 education professionals with an annual forum to learn, exchange, and survey advancements in the field of educational technology. Through hands-on and discussion-based workshops, lectures and interactive sessions, discussions with key industry speakers, and the largest vendor exhibition of its kind, NECC offers participants the unique opportunity to discover and share what they need to develop the appropriate use of technology in their classrooms, districts, and universities. NECC involves more than 700 local, regional, and national volunteers in the event.

Prospective attendees are encouraged to register soon, as housing resources and exhibit space fill up quickly every year. Travel information and a conference schedule with searchable program database are available at http://www.iste.org/necc/.

Full registration materials, including workshop titles and a schedule of social events, is available at http://www.iste.org/necc/, or by phoning toll-free (800) 280-6218. International inquiries should be directed to (541) 346-3537.

Applications for exhibit space and vendor sessions are available online at http://www.iste.org/necc/, or by phoning NECC 2008 Exhibit Management at (800) 280-6218 or (541) 346-3537. The fax number is (541) 346-3509; e-mail is neccexhibits@iste.org/.

About ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership for innovation. ISTE is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE represents more than 85,000 professionals worldwide. We support our members with information, networking opportunities and guidance as they face the challenge of transforming education.

Visit http:// www.iste.org to learn more about ISTE, NECC, and the association's new initiatives -- including the next generation of NETS for Students, Teachers and Administrators.

ISTE is the registered trademark of International Society for Technology in Education.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 16, 2007

NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL COMPUTING CONFERENCE 2008 DATES AND LOCATION ANNOUNCED

Washington, D.C.--The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) has announced that the 29th annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) will be held June 29 through July 2, 2008, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

The world's premier Ed Tech event, NECC 2008: Convene, Connect, Transform, is presented by ISTE in cooperation with the Texas Computer Education Association. More than 18,000 teachers, teacher educators, technology coordinators, library media specialists, administrators, policy makers, industry representatives, and exhibitors from around the globe are expected to attend.

"As we build this year's program we're exploring fundamental questions about what it means to be a digital citizen in a digital age," says Leslie Conery, ISTE's deputy CEO and NECC conference chair. "How do we prepare students for living in a global society and increasingly complex world? What new knowledge and skills are needed for productive collaboration in the 21st century? And what types of learning environments foster the development of those skills?"

Conery notes that NECC 2008 will also be a highly interactive conference, with lots of opportunities for attendees to exchange ideas and collaborate with peers from around the globe. Conference offerings include hands-on labs; "bring your own laptop" sessions; model classrooms; and peer-to-peer learning lounges.

For 28 years, NECC has provided K-20 education professionals with an annual forum to learn, exchange, and survey advancements in the field of educational technology. Through hands-on and discussion-based workshops, lectures and interactive sessions, discussions with key industry speakers, and the largest vendor exhibition of its kind, ISTE's NECC offers participants the unique opportunity to discover and share what they need to develop the appropriate use of technology in their classrooms, districts, and universities. More than 700 local, regional, and national volunteers are involved in the event.

Online registration and a preliminary schedule for NECC 2008 are now available at www.iste.org/necc/. Housing reservations are available online, and conference updates, including travel information and keynote speakers, will be posted as soon as they become available.

Full registration materials, including workshop titles and a schedule of social events, will be available in February 2008 at the Web site or by phoning toll-free (800) 280-6218. International inquiries should be directed to (541) 346-3537.

Applications for exhibit space are available online at www.iste.org/necc/, or by phoning NECC 2008 Exhibit Management at (800) 280-6218 or (541) 346-3537. The fax number is (541) 346-3509; e-mail is .

About ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership for innovation. A nonprofit membership association, ISTE provides leadership and service to improve teaching, learning, and school leadership by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE represents more than 85,000 professionals worldwide. We support our members with information, networking opportunities and guidance as they face the challenge of transforming education.

Visit www.iste.org or call (800) 336-5191 to learn more about ISTE and its new initiatives--including the next generation of NETS for Students, Teachers and Administrators.

ISTE is the registered trademark of International Society for Technology in Education.

# # #