At our Educational Technology District Level team meeting this week, I was asked to share my experiences about NECC 2009. Knowing that time was limited, I shared about 1/6th of what I really wanted to say. Just the highlights.
My standard response was, "It's about the people". The sessions were amazing, but it was the many folks from my Twitter PLN and others I met along the way who made the trip to D.C. all worthwhile.
As I was finishing my comments about the conference, our Senior IT Officer, and meeting team leader, asked me to present the "Big 6 ideas" from my experiences at our next meeting. "I'd be happy to, I responded". Now what?
Well, for the last 48 hours I've been thinking, "What were the big 6 ideas I took away from NECC 2009". Although it wasn't easy, I have narrowed down my choices and identified 6 people from whom I'll draw my ideas.
Here is my list. The links are the istevision recordings of the presentations. You'll need to sign up to view the sessions.
1. Alan November - Designing Rigorous and Globally Connected Classrooms
2. Erin Gruwell - Freedom Writers
3. Malcolm Gladwell - Digital Citizenship
4. Bernajean Porter - Grappling's Spectrum
5. Tom Carroll - Transforming Schools into the 21st Century
6. Will Richardson - Here Comes Learning
O.K. , now comes the difficult part. Synthesize the words and ideas from these speakers into a short presentation.
I'll try.
1 comment:
Interesting collection, Kent. I would disagree with a couple of choices but that's the beauty of a big conference when you have so many different opportunities.
The problem, as I see it, with the naming of big name speakers is that they aren't necessarily around for the continuous support and day to day sharing of ideas. It's no slam on these folks; it's the reality of their jobs. I look to them to inspire and start the conversation. It's up to us to continue and sustain it after the event is over and reality kicks in.
For me, the takeaway was connecting and reconnecting with educators such as yourself that I know are not only richer for the NECC experience, but are also responsive enough that the interaction can continue long after the event is over.
The conversation continues on Twitter and through blogging and sharing of ideas. For me, there was a chance for face to face meeting of some of my favourite Ontario educators and I like to give them a shout on #FollowFridays. It was also a chance to have a one time connection with people from around the world.
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