Day one is over, and today, I get to play, at PETE & C. Yesterday’s workshop was tough. I taught about 110 educators, mostly tech directors from across Pennsylvania — and it was hands-on. The folks from Prismworks are to be commended. The network served us flawlessly. A couple of the web applications that we explored crashed under the load, but everyone recognized that we were applying un-natural stress.
Quite a few of the participants commented after the workshop and during the evening receptions and casino night (I lost all my chips in record time), that they appreciated learning something new. It’s a problem that I’m hearing more and more from ed tech people, people who have been using technology to near Native extent, that they simply do not learn that much at these conferences. I told someone last night that I come for the stories. The tech is well and good, but I can figure that part out on my own. It’s the stories that are going to break us through.
The picture to the right is a conference participant who taught a workshop yesterday on Flash. She’s playing today as well.
More later, from PETE & C
David: Day two for me walking around to different sessions, wikis, podcasting, blogging, etc., are the major themes that seem to be permeating the learning environment in some Pennsylvania schools. It is really neat to see that some outstanding teachers in this State are energizing the students within these classrooms. But, they are still just individual classrooms within buildings that make up a school district. Overall, school systems still are functioning the way they did ten, twenty, or thirty years ago. The schedule of a teacher, the way students are organized by grade levels, and disconnected content are still the norm for most schools. Today’s sessions show that the tools are there, but are the mind-sets for change present within the schools to utilize these tools. To me this is the systemic issue that needs deeper thought by all.
Today’s Keynote speaker, Hall Davidson, gave a very informative presentation on how kids are using technology to create their own identity in this world of expanding information. Using websites such as my.space.com and xanga.com, they are creating their own space and identity to be noticed in this information intense world. He pointed out that educators must understand the tools that students are using, particularly iPods, cell phones, and PDA’s. We need to ask the question, what is the effect of each on learning and how can we utilize them to enhance instruction. He made an observation that over the past quarter century, IQ is increasing as literacy scores are decreasing. If this is true, is it showing that our daily educational routines are becoming increasing disconnected with the changing nature of information?
More later.
John, fantastic to see you in PA this week. I really wish we had had the time to sit and talk. Didn’t get to visit much during at hands-on workshop with 110 people 😉
I think I’ll respond to some of your comment in a blog … if I get the time today.
David,
It was a pleasure to meet you at PETE&C, my apologies for not making dinner on Saturday evening. The participants I spoke with following your presentation told me that they enjoyed the session and will be taking many of the ideas back to their districts.
I only wish I had more time to talk to you about teaching history. I will send along a copy of my PPT. Thanks again for a great session.