September has been a wonderfully relaxing month for me, with most of it spent at home. Septembers and Mays are typically slow. But for the last few days I’ve been on the road for one of only three travels I’m doing the entire month. I got home, late last night, from working at a middle school in Fort Worth, and the day before, I worked at a very unique school in Las Vegas (which I’ll talk more about in an upcoming blog). So, as much as I could, I’ve been following the Learning 2.0 conference in Shanghai through Hitchhikr and by following the Twitters of my friends who are there.
So here’s the question that just occurred to me. Could something like this happen in the United States? The conference in Shanghai is being attended by educators, mostly from international schools in Asia. They are mostly private schools that mostly serve the children of families who are working abroad. The conference is sponsored by ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools) and EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools). There invitation is to…
“Come join the search as we together build the future of schools.”
I do not know what the turn-out was, but I’ve worked with international school teachers before and, well, most of them would eat this up.
So, could such a conference happen here, in the U.S.? Two years ago, I would have said … Well I wouldn’t even have asked the question. Today, I see hope. In fact, even though I haven’t attended Alan Novembers Building Learning Communities conference, I suspect that it’s close, if only because so many of the attendees are from outside the U.S. that it would be difficult to remain focused on test scores, as is so often the case at U.S. conferences — teaching better with computers.
I’m really not sure if I’m going anywhere in particular with this, other than simply making an observation. Perhaps I’m simply, subconsciously, wishing I was in Shanghai — and, at the same time, so very happy I’m at home.
Image Citation:
Chris, Smith. “DSC_0218.” Shambles Work & Play’s Photostream. 16 Sept 2007. 16 Sep 2007 <http://www.flickr.com/photos/csmith/1391199316/in/photostream>.
As someone who has been to the last two November BLC conferences, I can testify that this is a wonderful experience, and I learned so much in four short days each year. Alan has seen his conference attendance more than double in the last two years because there are a lot of us who agree with you that these conferences are a great way to bring educators from all over the world together either face to face or electronically.
I would love to attend more of these types of international conferences.
I agree with Dave. Alan’s conference is an amazing time and place of ideas and interaction. What I came away with this year was that so many of the conversations would have been difficult (if not impossible) to replicate online. Such face to face contact, in the comfortable environment that Alan’s sets up, is crucial.
You sound so passionate in your writing about this subject I wish you great success in influencing those you come in contact with. Regarding the school system in the U.S. I would like to know your suggestions for improving them.
Speaking as someone who was in Shanghai and has returned as inspired as ever, I can say that I hope something like this CAN run in the US.
From what I read on the blogosphere, I think there would be interest, but I am not sure whether teachers would receive the financial backing from their schools. Something that international schools are pretty good at.
November, McKenzie, Richardson, Nussbaum-Beach, and others were awesome and tons of credit to the organizers!
Wished you were there too…next time???
Hey Dave,
In answer to your first question, we had about 500 participants! In answer to your bigger question, I do think this could happen in the US- in fact, I was so overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm of our guest presenters from the states, that I couldn’t help think that this must happen there as well. It might be difficult financially as Dennis pointed out- but on the other hand, we were able to help support the conference with generous sponsorships. My other thought is that while International Schools are more likely to spend more money on PD, there would be more schools to draw on in, say, a big city in the states. I don’t know, but its an important question.
Thanks for covering this, it was so great to come home from the conference on Sunday and shortly afterwards see images of it appearing on your blog from halfway around the world.
As to Dennis’ last point, I’d second that- it would be great to have you back here again.