Do U C What I C

The further away I get from NECC, the more I see.  The specific conversations that I had, from the time I sat down at the web 2.0 smackdown at Saturday’s Edubloggercon, to the last conversation I had in the elevator the night before I left are all starting to weave themselves into this tapestry of voices.  It’s all coming together for me, and I am realizing that every conversation I had leads me to one question in my own mind…what will I do?  The whole idea that teaching needs a good kick in the pants is really not up for debate, though I must say I heard a few.  What I did not hear, is a lot of solutions.  Who has the answer for that?  What exactly does the everyday, teach between the bells teacher do to impact the future of education?  Yes, we talked alot about what is wrong, and what we don’t have, and what we don’t do.  I just want to know, what should I do?  How can I help?  I suppose I wanted someone to come over to me at the bloggers cafe and just answer that question for me…lay it out and tell me to run with it.  But I realized about 2 days into the deal, that we were all just really in the same boat, rowing the same direction, not really knowing how to get where we need to go.  So, I started asking some people..”what should we do, what can we do?”  I had some great conversations about that- I talked to Bernie Dodge about my struggles with using webquests in a student-centered, constructivist classroom, and how I could balance those things.  I talked with Tina Steele, Kevin Honeycutt, and Wes Fryer about how we needed to take advantage of our geographic proximity and make something great happen in our little corner of the world.  I talked to Riptide Furse about my ideas for a new kind of technology training model for teachers.  Those, and many other conversations are all mashing up together in my head, and I am beginning to see what I will do.  I spent the last hour creating a model for change, and tomorrow, I will share those ideas with my tech person, and my principal.  Then, if they don’t fire me, I’ll share them with you….well…I’ll share them with you anyway:)  I was beginning to think that all of my social networking (fun as it was)  at NECC had not really produced anything tangible.  Now I see..the powerful force of my network.  Thanks to all of you!!  Also.. to Jeff, Will, Jakes, Shareski, Wagner, and the others in Utecht cafe that morning, who let me just listen for awhile- made an effort to say hello to a newbie, and let me toss a few ideas-thanks-it was empowering to me.

I have started 3 posts about my experience at NECC, and none of them have made it out of the draft box.  Partially that is due to the fact that I was busy having so much fun that I had little time to just sit and write!  I also am having trouble wrapping my head around how to sum up such an event.  I think that as time goes by, things will slowly start to seep out, and I will share those things bit by bit as they come along.  Here is the first bit…NECC, for me, was all about putting myself out there and making the connections.  I did not go there to collect the most t-shirts on the vendor floor.  I did not go there to see the latest new tech gadgets.  I went to connect.  I spent most of my first day running from session to session, and then realized that I had not yet really spoken in depth to anyone.  Day two then became a specific effort to slow down, soak in some conversations, start some as well, and that was the turning point for me.  I realized that the powerful change that would come for me from this conference would happen there..in the Second Life lounge, or the bloggers cafe, around the dinner table, or anywhere else we could find to sit face to face and start to sort out what we wanted and needed from each other as a connected network of educators.  What a great feeling it was to actually collaborate with people who were ready to do the work it takes to make change!   I have to say that the DEN folks are some of the most fun, interesting, and dedicated people I have ever met.  Thanks to Lor, Rip, and the others for taking me under their wing for my first NECC- it would have been a drag without you!  When I get home, and recover from my sleep deprived two weeks, I will be sure to fill in some more bits.

I have spent the last hour mulling over all the posts and comments concerning the new ISTE policy that has magically appeared just days before the event.  I started to post a comment for Wes, but the more I wrote, the more I realized that I know nothing about the legal aspects of this issue, and I really am just reacting emotionally, yet I still feel the need to react.  So I’ll post over here where fewer people will notice my ignorance, and I can still vent freely before laying my head on the pillow tonight:) 

I must say that this is just another tick on the dog (as my grandpa would say).   I have had a wierd feeling about this conference for several reasons.  First, I do think that the cost went up this year because, according to a long time attendee friend of mine,  they added a mandatory ISTE membership into the cost of the conference… that seems a bit pushy to me, as I am not really a “joiner” by nature.  Second, although my BFF and I are co-presenting,  some of my other techie buds are not coming, and that makes this trip a bit less fun compared to our Winter trip to METC.  Third, several of my closest SL buds are not coming, and although I totally understand their reasons, it is also a sad thing.  Fourth, I had a bit of a meltdown over the unfathomable amount of information/opportunities surrounding NECC.   I resolved this anxiety in my own mind by reminding myself that I could spend the next year of my life listening to podcasts, or watching recorded ustreams and never run out of NECC 2008 sessions to absorb.  Well, I guess that is no longer the case! 

All that being said, I am starting to feel bad about the amount of money my school is spending to send me to this conference.  I am starting to feel bad about thinking that NECC was the conference to strive for.  I am starting to feel bad about how much this policy may set the precedent for other smaller conferences, opening the flood gates of restriction on this great vast pool of knowledge that I have only just discovered one year ago!!

I guess in some way I knew it would happen- I remember two years ago at METC I had a conversation with my BFF about how podcasting could really eliminate the bread and butter of some of the big conference circuit folks, but how cool was it that they were willing to share their ideas freely with all of us, for the sake of evolving education!  Those great people who fly all over, leave their families for days for the sake of sharing information, don’t seem worried about it!  For gosh sakes, I can go to David Warlick’s file drawers in Second Life and read everything he’s ever presented…who is ISTE to say that we can’t share knowledge!
OK, so here’s a couple questions that I had after reading posts and comments of others:

Sylvia Martinez said on Miguel’s post:

“This is not a new policy, so it’s a case of technology catching up and passing traditional ways of distributing information. Pretty ironic, eh?”

I know it’s not new to be thinking about this stuff, but it seems new for ISTE…This is my first NECC, but from what I read on the legal notice page of ISTE and the NECC2007 and NECC2008 sites, I see nothing like this policy.  In fact, on the media page there is no mention of it as far as I can see- would you not think that the media should know about this new policy?
Here is another comment from Sylvia:

“It also protects ISTE from copyright violations. People often present things that contain copyrighted material. Even if the presenter innocently gives broadcast permission, is ISTE still liable?”

That seems to be covered under the current ISTE legal notices, so I don’t think this has anything to do with why they added this policy.  I really think that the whole unplugged schedule of events has shaken them, and they realize that we can and will make our own decisions about the relevance of the content that is being shared, and how we choose to share it.  I think they have seen the potential of future unconferences, and they are showing their fear of the unknown by trying to control it.  All I can say is…yeah…good luck with that.

So I guess after hearing so much great stuff about the connections at NECC2007, and being so excited to come to NECC2008, all of these “ticks” have sucked the life right out of me.  I must admit that there is still a little newbie part of me that is really psyched, and can’t wait to see it all.  Then there’s the rebel blogger side of me that wants to be there just so I can SHARE SHARE SHARE and stick my tongue out at all of the ISTE people who tell me that I can’t do that! 

I am sure I will meet great people, and I will learn huge amounts, but it just doesn’t seem as great an adventure as it did a year ago.  Perhaps next year I’ll ask for a ticket to Philly instead.

I spent some time this morning running errands, and had time to reflect on a skype conversation I had last night with a few online friends.  We talked about several things, but one thing stuck in my head.  I must tell you that in this company of people, I always feel welcome, but can’t believe how much they know about tech compared to me! I always leave the conversation with a new idea, or a new understanding of something.  So it shocked me last night when someone said ” I don’t have anything to teach, but I have a lot to learn.”  Now, I am not going to mention names, but let me tell you, this person has already taught me so much!  How can she think she has nothing to teach?  Is she being humble, or does she truly not see how much we all learn from her?!  

Do you think that most of us feel we know less than the others?   I still mentally say to myself before every conference deadline,  ” I am sure everyone knows this already, so I don’t know why I think I have any business presenting it.”  Then I go to the conference, and most times there are some people who want to learn about what I am doing.  I just find it funny that people who I learn from all the time have that same thought of not having anything new to teach.  In a way, I like it, because when you enter into a converation online, you may not have a clue who it is you are really talking to, but you are sharing ideas, learning from each other.  It could be someone who has been doing ed tech for years, or it could be someone who is just beginning.  Either way, I learn.  If you have been in this for a long time, chances are I would be too chicken to walk up and have a conversation with you face to face, but I will sure chat with your avatar in SL!  Even if you have just begun to explore the world of ed tech, I can learn from you!  You see things with fresh eyes, ask questions that make me re-think how I do things.  Maybe you know what you know, or maybe you don’t.  I just think that the next time you hesitate to comment on a blog, or chat on a ustream, you should remember that no matter where you are in your ed tech journey, someone can learn from you!  Step up!  Speak! Be heard!

Tanner, my son,  and I have similar personalities I think.  We are both outgoing and like to be around other people, most of the time.  Sometimes, though, he gets overwhelmed by the amount of chaos and chatter, and just disappears for awhile.  One year I remember we were opening Christmas presents, and there was alot of noise and people and stuff, and I looked around to see if he was soaking in this moment, and he was gone.  I found him in a back bedroom, hiding under a small table.  He was not sad or upset, he just needed a quiet place to escape.  There was just too much going on, and he took the time to step back and re-group.  Wise child, that son of mine.

So, why do I start a post about NECC with this story?  Well, I have had a surprising reaction to my upcoming trip to NECC, and I have been “hiding under the table” for a few weeks trying to re-group.  I am usually so excited in the weeks before a big conference.  I have been looking forward to meeting people face to face for the first time, hearing people present for the first time, continuing to make connections with people, learning new things that I can come back and share with my students.  I am usually driving people crazy by now because all I can talk about is my trip to (insert event here).    I don’t know why it is not that way for me right now. 

I am, perhaps, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information and choices that are available.  I want to get online and finalize my schedule, but there are too many things that I want to see, and they all happen at the same time.  Then you factor in the unplugged events, leave a bit of time for bloggers cafe, and next thing you know I am headed back under the table again!  I have appreciated reading others thoughts about how to “do” NECC.  I have resisted signing up for some things like the twitter dinner, simply because I don’t want to schedule my entire time and feel obligated to be somewhere.  I almost feel like I have skipped a step in my evolution as a learner.  I wish I was going into NECC a bit less connected.  I wish I wasn’t aware of all of these events that I so want to attend.  I feel like perhaps I would enjoy NECC more if I knew less at this point.  I just want to wander around, soak it all in, and not wonder about who is at bloggers cafe, or what dinner I am missing.  Is that wrong?  I am sure by the time NECC rolls around, I will have this all settled in my own mind, and be totally excited and ready for whatever NECC has to offer- so look for me, say hello..but… if you can’t find me, start looking under the tables:)

I love to read about how people interpret and use tools.  This one from Jakes was another big conversation.  I commented early, not really getting into the defense or torching of twitter itself- I guess it hit me in a different way because I had just watched the debate.  So when I went back to it to read the flow of comments,  I had a different reaction.  I do enjoy reading what people have to say about things like twitter, but I don’t like the idea that people think they know why I personally use twitter.  I don’t like assumptions like I am announcing my posts because I want to be somebody in the world of twitter.  I don’t like feeling guilty when I reach out on my twitter network to ask a question, or send out an invitation to join a project that my class is doing.  Isn’t that what it’s for?  I want to learn from others, I like knowing that I have an army of experts on a variety of topics just waiting to be bothered with a question by me:)  Could I go find the answer myself?  Sure I could, and I often do that.  I know that as a learner it will benefit me to figure it out myself, but sometimes I just get plain stuck, and I need help.  I also realize that if I can get a quick answer on twitter to a problem that would take me an hour to figure out, then isn’t my time worth the quick twit?  I think for me personally, it’s silly NOT to use twitter!  Why wouldn’t I want to ask KarenJan an assistive tech. question about a student?  Why wouldn’t I want to ask ColleenK to help me solve a problem when creating a new math tech project for my kids?  Why wouldn’t I share what I know about differentiation if people ask?  Again, isn’t that what it’s all about?  If not for twitter and SL, how would I have ever found these people?  How would I find classrooms to connect with all over the world?  Why should I feel bad about using Twitter to benefit my kids, my classroom, and myself?  Truth be told, I don’t feel bad.  I will continue to participate, ask questions, announce posts, and squeeze all the use out of twitter that I possibly can.  I am certian the benefits will outweigh the consequences.

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of hosting about 20 college students in my classroom.  They are completing an introductory course in technology and education at the local college, and the instructor wanted them to see what it really looks like in the classroom.  I was excited to have them come in, and knew that my students would be ready to show them all of the great things about our eMINTS classroom.  I didn’t really change our plan for the day, I just decided to let them get a little taste of reality.  I didn’t mean to scare the pants off them, but I think I did.  I forget how chaotic and overwhelming my room can be to an observer, because my kids and I are just used to it by this time of year.  Let me paint a picture for you…

24 students, 20 college kids, 13 pc’s on tables, all in one classroom- that in itself was a victory.  I had the list of tasks and projects on the board, the kids know that they can pick and choose what to work on, but eventually everything has to get done.  Some are scanning doodle4google pictures into a folder on my laptop so we can make them into a voicethread next week.  Some are adding to the never ending story wiki that our class started this week.  Some are using Inspiration to create a circle story outline.  I am attempting to conference with a student before he prints and publishes his book for the end of year writers exhibit.  Some are commenting on our spiderwick voicethread.  The rest are reading, blogging, journaling, working on a math review page.  The room is louder than usual as my students explain what they are doing, and answer questions.  I stand at the front and field questions about my website, lesson planning, our online curriculum.  Then the hour is over and they file out of the room with their heads spinning.

My students breathe a sigh of relief, and get back to what it is they need to do.  I flop into my chair and immediately start analyzing the whole event.  I wonder what they thought?  Did they think I was crazy?  Did they get what was going on?  Should I have toned it down? Revved it up?  What good did that do them?  What will they take away from this day?  What can I do?

I have talked many times about shaking up the world of pre-service teachers, and this just made me realize that I need to get with it.  Those students need more than two hours of mass submersion in a tech classroom!  They need to eat, drink, and sleep it for months!  They need to understand how it changes the lives of those kids!  They need to see what I see every day!  They need a little bit more reality if things are ever going to look different in the classrooms of the future, and I need a plan…to take over the world of pre-service education:)  Maybe Dembo will help me!

Quite a few months ago, Riptide/Fred and I were having a conversation in a ustream chat window and he said…”if your kids are doing wiki projects, how come I don’t know about it!?”  We chatted about setting up some sort of writing project at some point, and I put it on the back burner but never forgot about the idea.  So now it’s time to DO IT!! 

It’s a quick, fun, end of the year project that could turn out pretty cool I think.  If you wish to participate, just email me your username, and I’ll add you to the space.  I created one username for my class to use just to make it easier.  If you have done wiki with students, you know that only one person can edit at a time.  I would set it up as a center or something if I only had a few computers.  I happen to have more than that, so I created a hallowed wiki cup (just a cup;)) and that is the person who may edit.  When they finish editing, they pass the cup to another. 

Hope you will all participate, and I look forward to seeing how it turns out.  I hope to have something cool to share at our NECC poster session:)

Here’s the link-  www.neverendingstory08.wikispaces.com

Next week we finish our round of state-mandated testing.  We have been on the review and test track since Spring Break…..well, really since the first day of school.  Everything feeds into how they will do on this test, whether I want it to or not.  Sure, we have done some great inquiry lessons, my kids have become real thinkers and questioners, and for the most part I feel like how they see themselves as learners has changed.  But always in the back of my mind looms the question- is this important enough to be taking up time? Well, that tunnel vision is about to come to an end, when the final test booklet is in the box, and we have reached the light at the end of the tunnel…finally!  I am giddy with the thought of what is to come!

Now, most teachers at this time of year are just counting down the days, wondering how to keep the kids busy for another 6 weeks when all they want to do is be outside.  Meanwhile, my kids are ramping up, because they know that this last 6 weeks belongs to them…their ideas…their projects….their imaginations!! They are READY!  The little seeds of creativity have been sown all year, and now all of the time can be devoted to growing.  While a great number of teachers will be struggling to engage, here’s an idea of what we’ll be doing:

A student of mine decided to write an advice column in his journal, and ask other kids to submit questions for him to answer.  The class thought it would be cool if he could really have his advice column in a newspaper- chaos ensued, and out came the class newspaper project.  We’ll be diving into that next week.

My students have a huge interest in widgets, and spend a great deal of their choice time creating them.  They started with the standard iknowthat.com kind, then graduated to their own designs on phun physics.  Now they want to make them in real life, full scale.  They want to turn my classroom into a giant widget- we’ll be planning for that as well.

Each student will be choosing an independent project to complete,  we’ll finish and publish our stories for the writers celebration, and probably mess with an idea for a never ending story on wikispaces.

Will we ”finish” all of this in 6 weeks?  Do I care?  The best thing about this part of the year is that we all get to soak up the excitement and knowledge of learning, and it’s really more about the process than the product.  I love to sit back and watch …it’s a chance to really appreciate how far they have come, and how much they can now do without me.  They don’t need me to lead their small group planning session because they have learned how to work together.  They don’t need me to troubleshoot their tech issues because there is most likely some 9 year old in the room who can figure it out faster than I can, and they know that.  Camera experts, scanner masters, fairly decent collaborators….yep, I’ll just sit back and smile, and hope that they are loving it as much as I am.  I wish the whole year could be more like this, and I am really working on that, but for right now……WOO HOOO!!!  I see the end of the tunnel!!