It’s summer, time for writers to recharge our cerebral batteries. That could mean reading, going on field trips, spending time with online PLNs, or taking calls from family members who usually end up at voice mail. For many, it means attending conferences like Writers Digest Conference August 12-14 and the Writers’ Police Academy August 11-14 (this one sounds amazing) to learn how the heck to write for fun and profit.
If you aren’t a veteran conference attendee, you may wonder what — besides toothbrush, change of clothes, and a smile– you should bring. That’s a fair question considering in some of the more-active conferences, you might be asked to scan a QR code, visit a website, access meeting documents online, interact digitally, or use a backchannel device to share your real-time thoughts with the presenter. Last year, I posted five must-have digital tools you should bring. This year, there are nine:
Google Maps or Waze
Some conferences take multiple buildings spread out over several blocks, and depending upon the number of attendees, your hotel may not be around the corner from the Hall. Install Google Maps or Waze (both owned by Google now) on your smartphone or iPad, complete with audio directions. All you do is tell it where you’re going, ask for directions, and Siri (the voice behind the iPhone) will lock into your GPS and hold your hand the entire way. If friends are looking for a Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts near the conference, the app will find one. If you want Chinese, use an app like Yelp (although I’m becoming a tad leery about Yelp. Anyone have a good alternative?).
Here’s my review of Waze.
Conference App
Most conferences have one. I find these more useful than the conference website. They are geared for people who are juggling a digital device one-handed, half their attention on the phone and the rest on traffic, meaning: They’re simple and straight-forward. Test drive it so you know where the buttons are, then use it to find meeting rooms, changes in schedules, and updates.
iPad, Chromebook, Laptop, or Netbook
Instead of pencil and paper, bring a Chromebook, netbook, tablet PC, or iPad. These digital devices enable you to stay connected with the rest of the world while immersing yourself in learning. As you attend meetings, you can stay up on emails, check social networks, handle emergencies that won’t wait until you return to your home base, take notes, email or text friends, and post blog updates. There are plenty of plugs if your device must be recharged. Join the crowd around the outlet. Make new friends.
Apps you’ll want installed include:
- Skype (for face-to-face conversations)
- a scanner (for paperwork, business cards)
- a voice recorder like QuickVoice Recorder
- a book Reader (Kindle, iBooks, other)
- some sort of drawing program like AirSketch Free (though lots of note-taking apps–like Notable and even iPhone’s Notes–allow for drawings as well as typing)
- apps for Twitter/FB/G+/LI–or whatever your social media of choice is
- an expenses tracker (I’m not recommending one because I haven’t found one I like–though I’ve tried several. Any ideas?)
Many of these can be used on an iPhone, smartphone, Android device, or iPad. Check before downloading to be sure it serves your needs.
Note: Early after your arrival, make sure you know how to access the conference Wifi. This should be free to attendees. I’m pretty worried about privacy on public WiFis, so I prefer my iPhone personal hotspot.
Always ask presenters where you can find their digital notes or copies of their presentations online. Many/most make that available either through the conference or their own professional websites.
Digital note-taking
You need a way to keep a ToDo list, take quick notes–textual, visual, digital, movies, voice memos–and collect everything in one spot that’s accessible from all digital devices. The FREE Evernote app or OneNote (works great with MS Office) does that and is a favorite of lots of my friends. My app-of-choice is Notability (click and scroll down for my review of Notability and Evernote)–easy to learn with lots of writing options. In fact, use the conference to learn how to get good at it–you’ll have lots of opportunities for taking all manner of notes.
Messaging App
Most smartphones come with this so you won’t have to do anything to install it. What you want to remember is this: Use it. It’s a great way to quickly chat with colleagues about where to meet or schedule changes. The threads are all lined up in your app, making it easy to find who you want to talk to and send a note.
QR Reader
Lots of conference sessions use QR codes to share log-ins, backchannels, and resources. QR Readers like Scan are free, easily installed, and intuitive. Keep this on your main phone screen for quick access.
Digital Scanner
Have some method of digitally transferring business cards from new friends. There are many options. Evernote’s free Scannable not only recognizes business cards, but lots of other documents. I use TurboScan (click for my review of it).
Internet Connection
Make sure your internet works. Know how to access local WiFi safely and securely. If you have access to a private hotspot, always choose it instead. IPhones have this natively, but they can also be added easily to Android phones. Do this. Hackers love taking advantage of free WiFi systems to find their next victim.
Back-up Battery
Your battery will die at exactly that moment you are typing an important curation of resources and notes–and before you’ve saved it (not a problem if you’re using Google Apps, though). Bring a backup battery, just to be safe for both your digital device and your phone for days that last longer than expected and you can’t get back to your recharging station soon enough.
***
Look around when you’re there. See what people are using that makes their experience better, easier, more efficient. Share it in the comments below.
More digital tools for writers:
Grammarly–online or resident grammar checker
4 Surprises and 16 Take-aways from the SD Writers Conference
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, CSG Master Teacher, webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
thanks enjoy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jacqui! Per your earlier permission, I scheduled this article to be featured as a guest post this Tuesday. As usual, it has your credit/bio/link. Feel free to join in on the comments. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely, Ryan. Thanks for the reminder.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah me! The written note used to form my last tenuous connection to handwriting, an excuse splay my scrawly, untidy doodling over the white pages of a notebook. No more! Digital notes rule, now. Word of warning though, the other week I had to provide my solicitor with a handwritten codicil to my will. My handwriting – never good – was so painfully childlike and bad I doubt if anyone will ever be able to read it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’ll be happy to know that with touch screens comes writing with a pen right onto the tablet. Soon, that’s how we’ll do things–so handwriting will be revived!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great advice, Jacqui. I have never taken notes with a keyboard and still take the old note-book and pen along. Does this make me very old-fashioned or just habit of many years of study?!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Probably just habit, Annika. I still reach for pen and paper first, but have found from experience I am much more likely to lose the paper or not be able to read my writing–or wish I could add a note in the middle of the writing. Now, I start notes with a digital tool and never have any of those problems. I can even add pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Always ask presenters where you can find their digital notes or copies of their presentations online. Many/most make that available either through the conference or their own professional websites.’
This is a really good point – though maybe if their digital notes are good enough you wouldn’t have to attend the conference?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Often, their digital notes are great, but the networking is pretty valuable. Sometimes.
LikeLike
Wonderful tips. I love taking my iPad with a bluetooth keyboard so I can take notes, use social media, and check email fast.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can’t type fast enough on the native keyboard, either. I know kids who can so I suppose it’s just me, not used to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A couple of years ago I noticed that I wasn’t going to conferences anymore. Having a contract with a publishing house and self-publishing other bits, I stopped pitching to agents. I took the money I saved on travel and spent it on 10 -12 week writing classes, which I get more out of than workshops. .
But I found a conference I want to go to this year because it’s a group I want to support and networking connections I want to make, so thanks for the very timely heads up on the technology to take.
LikeLiked by 2 people
P.S. So I notice Itunes has an iScanner app. Usually I just take a photo of a document, receipt, etc. What are the advantages of using a scanner app over photos?
LikeLiked by 2 people
A photo snaps whatever is in the lens–paper, background, anything. The scanner app finds the document and lets you delete everything else. Pretty cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get as much out of the networking as the pitches, despite the fact that agents say they find more authors at conferences than anywhere else. I’d love to hear about the conference after you attend. I’m always eager to try another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m going to keep this post handy. Thanks for this.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Let me know if you go to any conferences. My next planned one is February.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reblog, Don.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m an avid Tweeter and Facebooker when I’m at crime festivals. It’s great how you can share your experience nowadays.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve never done that at a conference or festival. I may have to try it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can you pack all this in your carry-on? Or do you tuck most of it in your foot locker? 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh no–it fits nicely under the flap of your laptop. No need for additional space!
LikeLiked by 2 people
When I travel I also like to bring a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. First thing I always do at a conference is to locate the restrooms and find a source of caffeine.
and I rarely take notes as my photographic memory remembers everything and as most presenters these days let you download their slide deck…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Screwdriver and a pair of pliers… That means people will ask you to use them… Restrooms and caffeine–check check.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great list! I am attending a small conference in the fall and will definitely save this list for use then. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s short, but pithy. I’ll check your blog out, see if you write about the conference. I’m not getting to as many this year as I’d like.
LikeLike
Fascinating tools. Scanning is what has me gaga. Don’t quite understand it, but will research. Thank you, Jacqui.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For some scanners, it’s almost like taking a photo with a few distribution options thrown in. Not like the flatbed scanner we’re used to.
LikeLike
Great list, Jacqui! I know some writer’s who’ve attended the Writers’ Police Academy…they loved it. I’ll look forward to your post on that as well as the Writers Digest conference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do notice writer conferences are less plugged in than the educator conferences I attend. Interesting difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person