Last updated September 25, 2007

Updated regularly prior to workshop - check back periodically

October 12, 2:00 - 6:00 pm. The last 30 minutes involve extended discussion of the utility of the applications.

The session is limited to 100 persons.

Emerging Technology Participant Information – NSGC Oct 12, 2007
see  www.kumc.edu/gec/kc/emergingtechnology/ for more information

Welcome! This information is for those who have registered for the NSGC Educational Breakout Session (EBS) on Emerging Technology.  We are looking forward to your participation.  This workshop is designed to give you hands-on working practice with technology for clinical and educational uses.  Everyone is required to bring a wireless laptop with a microphone and webcam (order from www.skype.com/* or other computer accessory store). Please read the following carefully to assure the success of the workshop.  Workshop leaders have used the technology, but the nuances of each continue to develop and change.  By using the applications prior to the workshop, you will bring experiences to share and actively exchange technology skills with other participants.

Prior to the workshop, you are required to spend approximately 2-3 hours testing your wireless connectivity, function of your microphone and web cam, downloading free software, and registering to use the applications.  Please do this in the next two weeks so that your technical support staff can make needed adjustments to your laptop computer PRIOR to coming to Kansas City.  Unfortunately, there will be NO individual technical support for basic computer installations, microphones, webcams, and software installation at the workshop.

• Every participant will bring a laptop with wireless connectivity.  Fully charge batteries for 2 hours of use.
• Each participant should test their wireless connectivity PRIOR to the workshop at a Borders, Starbucks, Panera or other wireless location (not home or work)
• Each participant should download the software for Skype, Second Life, and have PowerPoint installed
• A microphone and webcam should be purchased and installed (and tested) prior to the workshop.  Experience tells us that microphone adjustments take the most time. (A digital camera may be possible to use as a webcam).

***** Important: Two (2) weeks prior to the workshop (by Friday, September 28th). Please e-mail this information to me (dcollins@kumc.edu) or fax 913.588.4060:

1. Type of laptop computer you will bring
2. Confirm that your laptop has been tested for wireless connectivity at a site such as Panera, Borders, Starbucks, or other (not at your home or office)
3. Type of microphone (with headphones – Plantronics or other), tested and working
4. Type of webcam (Logitech or other), tested and working
5. Confirm your installation of Skype (www.skype.com), send the “Skype name” and e-mail address you registered
6. Confirm your installation of Second Life (free, https://secure-web7.secondlife.com/).  Create your avatar (caricature of yourself) and send your avatar’s name.  With your avatar, visit Pietro's Place in Second Life (slurl.com/secondlife/Yora/3/114/25) prior to the workshop - a beach with fun stuff to do and free items to copy.
7. Confirm that you have PowerPoint installed – find “Slide Show” on the PowerPoint menu bar, then select “Record Narration...” from the drop down menu. Download the practice PowerPoint slide show from the workshop web site onto your laptop prior to coming to the workshop.
8. Provide an e-mail address to send your invitation for the Elluminate Live session, please practice this prior to the session, and bookmarked the site, www.elluminate.com/demo/live_demo.jsp
9. Confirm that you have visited and bookmarked the WikiGenetics site, http://wikigenetics.org/index.php/Main_Page
10. Provide your Google Mail (gmail) account name and password (free from google.com), and you will be sent an e-mail inviting you to participate in a collaborative working document.

The website for this workshop is www.kumc.edu/gec/kc/emergingtechnology.  Please print handouts on this web site and bring them with you to the workshop for reference.  Check for workshop updated information on this site.

When you arrive at the workshop (short bus ride or walk from the convention hotel – at Screenland Theater, see web site for map), you will be instructed to search for a wireless network, then proceed to a room to:

• interact with other participants (through Skype or a virtual world), www.skype.com
• narrate a PowerPoint presentation, use a whiteboard, www.imaginationcubed.com/ or explore Youtube.com
• edit a WikiGenetics entry, for example see http://wikigenetics.org/index.php/Genetic_Counseling
• write on the collaborative work document from Google Docs with your ideas about use of the technology - clinical, or education, or other
• learn about creating a podcast (requires Camtasia software, purchased prior to workshop, see website links)
• interact in the virtual world with your Avatar (the one you created prior to the workshop in Second Life)
• participate in an Elluminate Live session
• more! have fun! light snacks - water and soft drinks will be provided at the workshop site

* Note:  for an inexpensive Skype microphone and headset, see local computer supply stores such as CompUSA, MicroCenter, SharperImage, or others:

Transportation: Buses will bring participants from the Westin Crown Center at approximately 1:45, 2:00, and 2:15 (max 35 persons per bus), to Screenland. Check at registration desk for updates.

Participants are free to roam between sessions, and utilize the lobby area (or even go outside weather permitting) to practice some of the technology.