I’ve made a conscious effort not to do too much road-show type posting here even though I’ve been all over the place of late. But today was just too much fun. A keynote at the NCAECT conference that just felt like it really clicked, Skyping with Jeff Utecht in Shanghai during one of my sessions, showing Second Life and happening upon another traveler from Denmark to chat with on the ISTE island, and topping it all off with a great open discussion with David Warlick and about 80 conference goers that really got my brain swimming. For the first time in a long time, the technology worked, the rooms had real energy, there was lots of laughing, and I really felt like people were going to take these conversations back home with them in some meaningful ways. It was a great two days. And now I’m sipping on free, fast wifi at the Charlotte airport on my way to Detroit.
More later on why I still think we need a change in strategy… ;0)
Sounds like the trip was great! I had the honor of having some minor conversations in my own lab today teaching my first group of teachers about this technology.
It was great for us to go to your site where I could say “less than a year ago I was at a conference where Will got me thinking, and not long after I started blogging”.
Thanks for the influence!
Jennifer
I love the Charlotte Airport. Comfortable, free Wifi, and rocking chairs of that’s your preference. Will, it was great to have you in North Carolina. You’ve made friends here!
I had a great time in your sessions today. I was the guy sitting center front row all day. I must say that you gave me a whole lot to think about some of which I’ll most likely explore on my blog.
More than anything else, you and Dave helped me tap in to that which originially got me in to teaching 25 years ago; the opportunity to connect with students and practice the art of teaching. That art has been sorely repressed in my colleagues these past ten years or so, the age of accountability. It seems like educators have been forced in to worrying about being accountable for things that they know in their soul aren’t essential and they’ve almost lost the ability show children how to learn.
Maybe a corner is about to be turned. I have hope.
Thanks for practicing that restoration.
I was at your speech this morning and was rejuvinated by what I heard. This is my first year teaching Technology after many years of teaching. I am glad that there are people like you out there puching for these changes. I wish that I could bottle your enthusiasm and take it back to school with me. This is the first time that I have left a comment on a site like this, but already tonight I have opened 2 message boards on our school web site and one in Gaggle. I hope that can remember all of those things that you said this morning so that I can use it to inspire my staff.
Hi Will:
It is interesting to read that you were on Second Life and around ISTE so you might find this interesting. At an ISTE gathering on SL this evening, it was announced that they (ISTE) are going to build their own island and Kittygloom Cassady is actively seeking ideas on how to best serve ISTE members in SL. Should be great! http://bretagdesigns.com/technologist/?p=61
Also, I’m curious about your thoughts on Second Life’s educational possibilities (and you avatar name…lol)
Will,
Thanks for inspiring us in Raleigh at NCAECT! I was in your day-long pre-session just trying to hang on while being blown away by the great paradigm shift that you allowed me to believe could help us really impact the lives of our students in a meaningful way.
As a media coordinator for the last 20 years, I was beginning to feel that my job is becoming much like that of the guy who shoes horses when Henry Ford moves into town…but if the Yarn Harlot can do it- perhaps an aging librarian has a chance!
Thanks for renewing my mind….I’ll be following you online for more ideas…
Will, I was also in your preconference session at NCaetc, to my great delight. Having been a huge fan of your blog, it was great to be inspired in person! We are working so hard to give our system a complete transfusion of web 2.0, truly the learning blood our schools desperately need. Your guidance at the conference really provided the shot of adrenaline we needed as tech facilitators for our system. Now, if only we could get our leadership to attend!
Thanks for the Skype call Will. It was great to have a quick chat with you and the educators in the room. So wish I could have been there…but Shanghai will do for now. 🙂