My head’s been elsewhere lately, working toward an insane deadline — which ended yesterday — and I’m still a good two days from finished. I’m upset, but thousands of times more excited about what I’m writing. More about that later.
As I say, my head’s been elsewhere and I have not been able to do any reading for days. That might well be the reason why I got so excited this morning with reading and signing a contract. It’s official — I’ll be speaking at the Learning 2.0 conference in Shanghai in September. I am so excited. But, what’s peculiar is that reading the contract has filled me with more anticipation of energy, conversation, discovery and intensity than most conference programs.
It is no surprise that this is a different kind of conference. It’s not the first one, and many of us witnessed the first Learning 2.0 conference, where they pulled in the first string of ed thinkers like Alan November, Will Richardson, Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, Jamie McKenzie, Gary Stager, Wes Fryer, and Chris Smith. This year, it’s the second string. Well that’s not nearly true — with David Jakes, Sheryl (again), Clarence Fisher, Ewan McIntosh, George Siemens, Marco Torres, and a dog! No, that’s Alan Levine — the Cog Dog himself.
That contract was so unique because it very plainly described a conference that is not being planned by a committee so much as it is being planted, cultivated, and grown, as much by the attendees as by the top-notch planners. This is sure to be something that will be watched for a long time. [Enlarged Photo ((Fryer, Wesley. “Linda Sills Shares Opening Comments.” Wesley Fryer’s Photostream. 14 Sep 2007. 16 Apr 2008 <http://flickr.com/photos/wfryer/1379926263/>.))]
Tags: warlick, education, conferences, learn2cn, learn2008cn, unconference, shanghai
I’ve been enjoying the same reading. Looks like I have to go all the way to Shanghai to meet you 😉
I told Jeff when I got the invite, “You had me at ‘China'” – very excited.
I am looking forward to discovering more of China with you guys! It will be great fun.
Jealous would not begin to describe my feelings when I read about your invitation to China.
I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how Learning 2.0 ever becomes a reality in “average” classrooms throughout our country where just trying to keep curriculum updated, and math and reading scores “high” enough will become a reality.
How can we show that integration of technology in the classroom is the realistic means of delivering instruction in a way that connects to our students?
http://www.educatormr.blogspot.com
I’m excited as once again we’re thinking outside the box on what a conference experience can and should be for people in the 21st Century.
What we are planning (still figuring it out how to pull it off) is to have a conference that is TED meets South by Southwest, meets, traditional 20th Century. As presenters….we’re gonna push you to do somethings differently and I hope you find them challenging, rewarding and fun! I think you’ll like what we have planned.
As I wrote to the committee last week. Either we’ll be the talk of Asia (and education) or nobody will ever come to one of our conferences again. But yeah…that’s what makes living on the edge fun.
Looking forward to it!
David et al
I am also excited to be coming to Shanghai as a presenter (as is Kim Cofino!). Have not been to China for 23 years…imagine I will notice some changes. Looking forward to the challenges and the interaction.
Hello David,
I know this comment has nothing to do with your blog entry, but I was wondering why you like to blog so much? I know is has soemthing to do with the whole social networking deal but why is it so interesting to you?
HI David,
Well that good that you got the contract signed, what exactally will you be doing when you go over to China?
I’ll be keynoting the Learning 2.0 conference in Shanghai and also keynoting a ThinkQuest event in Hong Kong and doing some other PD stuff. Looking forward to it — a great adventure.