Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Okay, we are wrapping up, and if you have been reading my blog, it must feel like there is a huge gap between events. True and not true.
I was just blocked out of a little presentation on what you could do with an iPod. Too full. I actually thought I would look it all up on the website that was posted, but by now I have had two cups of hot beverages (it's all ACed, so you have to drink hot stuff to keep warm.) and a few conversations, I forgot. Oops. Will have to go back and look it up again.
This morning i also tried to go to the museum of arts, and I made iot to teh door, but it was too early. However, because it was so early, it was also cool, and I enjoyed the weather for a bit outside, not under these bizarre electric lights.
So, what was there last night that might catch your eye?
well, among other things happening, and me giving away my contact information in the hope to win some stuff, I happened to be at teh right time in the right place, and won a Smartboard. Must have used up all of my luck from the time before. Martha last night suggested having a raffle, or announce a call for RFPs to best use it.
For Becky, the website is http://pearsonfoundation.org where the guys are who will come and have a camp with you using Adobe products.
Last night there was a reception for NE and we had a good time and met some nice persons, like the ACTEM president.
These conferences fill you with ideas. There was one guy whose job is to inspire. What a great job!
Okay, try me later.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Jun 26, 2007 9:47 AM

Tuesday
NECC 2007

Ok, we are just done with the panel discussion with Andrew Zolli and some other people.
The main idea is that we need to encourage students to be creative and allow kids to gather and have a place and time to hang out and... think and learn. Companies are thirsty for innovation.
You know if nothing else this sort of conversations is really really inspiring.
This makes me want to have/be in a school where there is a student lounge or something of this sort. I mean we constantly talk about how students are more knowledgeable in some ways than teachers, yet we completely deny our students the right, opportunity and the sense of learning from each other.
I am thinking, we should round up kids to do professional development, especially around technology. This will be such a breakthrough. I wonder if we as MLTI/eMINTS mentors could do that after school, since most teachers may run into the insurmountable issue of compensation for after school work.
There was a teacher who got the ISTE award (in part) for running this service learning project where they educated senior citizens to live in the modern world filled with technology, and that there was a 93-year old woman who drove 30 miles to attend those classes, and when asked why she did that, she said there is so much to learn, she needed to keep up!
I think that's a huge idea. I would love to assist a school implement something similar, or be part of it in some way.
Some really interesting people are here.
I assume there will be all sorts of media and reports posted on the ISTE site shortly, if not already, so pick something you like and have time for and plug into the virtual conference experience.
PS. Pictures will be posted at a later time. Maybe when I get done with a few more sessions, or closer to the end of the day. I don't win the Adobe Creative Suite site license, there will still be plenty to take home and share! :)
And apologies if this post is a bit scattered and poorly organized, just trying to capture the moment before I forget.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Monday Morning: Digital Arts Alliance
NECC

Well, I was lost yesterday for a little bit. Actually much longer than I want to admit.
It changed last night, though.
After the keynote, I looked and looked and looked for A familiar face, no luck!
So many people!
No sign of Monica, Tyler or anyone I know!!! Other than...
It shouldn't surprise you, really. I think it's sorta standard - who do you think I was all of a sudden standing next to? Take a guess. Check the PS to see if you have guessed right.
And my feet were hurting like heck in my new shoes (no wonder I am wearing crocks today!), and then I was in a mile long line to the Aquarium - the largest in the country - to attend the reception.
I finally found Tyler - and we had a long conversation while in line - getting tired, frustrated and generally hot and dehydrated.
Finally before nine we were allowed by the omnipotent guard to get inside. We had a couple of leaves - whatever remained of the salad, I paid $2 for a 12-oz bottle of water (surprisingly ice was free...) and very salty and dry corn bread. (ACTEM has done a much better job in that department!).
We got home late, but we were very lucky to have had a chance to see the whale sharks swimming over our heads, sawfish, Dorie and Nemo, and belugas, and other beautiful marine life, as well as the ugly Japanese crabs.

Anyway, the ISTE president was painful to watch... She was reading off the prompt screens and couldn't say a word without that, was generally nervous (I mean I can't believe she has delivered speeches before like this one!), and not good at all.
That was disappointing, and sort of bad PR.
I simply couldn't wait for Andrew Zolli to start his keynote because from what I had seen before, keynote speakers are generally very good.
And he was. What a contrast! So he was fun and smart, and a little uncouth for my exquisite taste :), but very funny, and had good information. An interesting take on things, I must admit.
I am sure everyone is blogging about this here already, so a safe bet would be go to technorati or google for "necc" "necc2007" and it will give you a good start.
So, before I forget two websites:
http://www.poptech.org - supposed to be free videos for education
and something like bubbleshare - this one helps you create digital stories online. If you have time, check it out and let me know. I will when I get a minute.

So, today's morning! I am a presider at the Digital Arts Alliance: Digital Storytelling and Project-Based Learning in Grades 9-12; all I do is mainly paperwork, and there are only 9 confirmed presenters, so it shouldn't be a tough job, but gives me something to do, and there are pleasant people here - not the overwhelming something thousand crowd from last night's event!!! I will get a volunteer t-shirt - and you know that a meal and a t-shirt could allure me anywhere! :)
Actually, we each got software - hopefully that will continue to happen!
PS. It was Bernie Dodge. I had to look away when I spotted him standing next to me while talking on the phone and we were stuck at the pedestrian crossing waiting for the light to change. The poor man will think I am stalking him! so, here you go!
*** my phone won't connect to the laptop, hence you will have to wait for the pictures. I have more this time!

Sunday, June 24, 2007

NECC 2007

Well, if you are subscribed to this blog you have already noticed that there has been little action recently, and it's about to change!
Here I am at NECC 2007, in Atlanta. After our plane made a bonus round tour of NYC, we landed safely and perfectly at LaGuardia airport, from where I took a flight to the Atlanta International Airport, and we were half an hour early - I guess took a shortcut, you know up there, in the clouds, good pilots know those paths.
Anyway, it's hot here! Oh boy! And it's freezing AC inside.
Registration is extremely efficient - get there, get a bag with you name tag - done!
And there is wireless - can you imagine? I was on the plane for a few hours, got to the hotel - couldn't connect, and finally - wireless paradise and my MLTI laptop is my good friend.
I am afraid though, unless I decide to wear more comfrotable shoes, my good friend will have to watch my hotel room for me tomorrow. I have decided to dress up for this event, and those blisters I am not sure are worth it.
Although, I got a couple of comments on the way (fairly long way!) to the GWCC, and they made me feel pretty again. It's never too much, would you agree?
So, here are some (stealth) pictures from the registration hall. A lot of people here, not one email workstation available (out of maybe 20), but my good friend here is working for me well.
Ok, give me a sec, need to download the pix from the cell phone, using bluetooth.
Oh, btw, Monica promised to be here, but looking at the enormous sea of people I don't think there is a good chance I wiill just run into her. But then again, remember the Bernie Dodge run-in... :)