Tony Vincent started teaching fifth grade in Omaha, Nebraska thirteen years ago when it wasn’t so easy to publish online. Knowing that students were motivated to see their work on the Web, Tony first had students write their book reviews on Amazon.com.  Later his students spent each school year adding to their classroom site, Planet 5th. They published writing, photos, journals, art, videos, and more. Planet 5th became so popular that it received thousands of hits from around the world. In 2001, Tony and his students began using Palm handheld computers and added a “Learning in Hand” section to Planet 5th. Tony witnessed how empowered his students were using the Palms, and was called a “tireless evangelist for the power of handhelds” by Edutopia magazine.

In 2004 Tony became Willowdale Elementary’s technology specialist. He worked with students in grades kindergarten through five and their teachers to integrate technology. As tech specialist, he continued to have student contribute to the web. He developed Radio WillowWeb (Radio for Kids, by Kids) in 2005, making it the first podcast from an American elementary school.

Tony left regular teaching at Willowdale to become an independent consultant in 2006. While he misses his former school, he’s had an amazing few years. Currently based in Phoenix, Arizona, Tony has worked with K-12 teachers and students from around the world. Tony co-wrote Handhelds for Teachers & Administrators, a book about handheld computers, iPods, and podcasting. He presents at educational conferences and travels to schools to deliver workshops to teachers and students. Currently popular topics include iPod touch, iPad, podcasting, and web tools.

Tony brings his expertise and enthusiasm for empowering teachers and students to Mobile Learning Experience 2012′s planning team.

Tony Vincent’s websites include Learning in Hand, TonyVincent.net, Our City Podcast, and the Arizona K12 Center Technology Blog. Follow Tony on Twitter at twitter.com/tonyvincent.

The Mobile Learning Experience is the result of Katherine Burdick’s desire to gather those interested in mobile learning together to talk successes, challenges, and ideas. Katherine connected with Tony Vincent, a fellow Arizona resident, and they began planning The Mobile Learning Experience 2011. Putting on a conference is a big undertaking, so they partnered with the Arizona K12 Center.In its second year, Mobile Learning Experience 2012 is made possible by the work of many people, especially Katherine.

Katherine Burdick has worked in the education sector for over thirty years. Using her experiences as a teacher and a school administrator, she has developed a strong track record of creating innovative leading educational products while holding marketing and editorial positions within companies such as Pearson Education and Scholastic Inc. For the last seven years she has worked for Learning A-Z ; a company that delivers educational resources in reading, writing, and science, over the Internet. where she is Vice President of Development. Katherine lead LearningA-Z’s app development making it the first company to provide leveled books in the iTunes store.

Katherine has presented at many conferences, including TEC, ISTE, ASCD and the Global Learning Conference. Katherine reviews apps for education helping educators cull the best from the 33,000 educational apps posted in iTunes. Most importantly, Katherine will be presenting sessions at The Mobile Learning Experience 2012. Be sure to follow her website,  Twitter and Google+.