I am so excited about this conference and the whole concept of this global conversation. Unfortunately, I didn't find out about it until yesterday evening and it was too late for the fireside chat. Still, I did join up with a few other latecomers while setting up Elluminate. It was exciting to find out that I was speaking with Jeff in Shanghai, China - and that it was already Tuesday morning for him and his students were beginning to arrive.
I watched David's Keynote presentation and found it a great deal of food for thought. We really do need to think differently in education - the concept of side trips and "derailing" is huge because I feel it is those "side trips" which really engage our students and motivate them to learn. David, I have to say, that though you may have felt uncomfortable speaking into the camera, I thought it was very personal and it was a novel way to present the concept of side trips.
I am a French teacher, and, I find, for a subject that many students do not enjoy, technology can be a huge motivator. I have found that many students, will put more effort into their French when they are able to present it in a PowerPoint or Video format. We can even add in Virtual Field Trips and Web Quests to further motivate and engage. Unfortunately, at this time, lack of computer lab time, and, for that matter, lack of a set classroom, prevent using technology to its fullest potential. But I look forward to a day when my students can have, say, French Blogs, or for that matter, keypals in a French-speaking country.
I am very much looking forward to the conference and learning from all of you as I continue my quest to incorporate my passion for technology to enhance student learning.
October 18th - I'm having so much fun reading everybody's wikis. I come home and check for new ones each day. I just read Emil's from Ct. and he says: The very fact that I'm in discussion with folks all over the world whom I will never meet is still almost unbelievable. And yet, it is commonplace to my three kids. What astonishes me, they take for granted. Some part of me wishes they shared my awe. But a huge part of me is envious of what opportunities they will have. I so agree - in spite of the fact that I use technology as a motivator, Emil is right, it is commonplace to our kids and students and soon, it will no longer serve as a motivator, it will be expected I think. So, we educators MUST keep up.
To reply to Chris, who commented on my wiki - yes, you have so many fabulous ideas and yes, teachers are reluctant to either put the time in - or, are not able to, or are simply not comfortable enough with technology to incorporate it into their teaching. By the way, Chris, Cherie, one of your fellow "Aussies" is at my school on exchange as well - even smaller world!!! :) Wow, that IS an amazing example of a small world! Say hi to Cherie for me!. I agree with you about the wonderful feeling of awe when you're new to all this though. I remember the first time I was able to use a computer to connect to another computer via the Internet. I think it was about 1994, and I was using a Lynx browser (text based only - no graphics!) to connect to the University of Minnesota. I called my wife over and said "look! I'm connected to a computer in America!" She wasn't nearly as excited about it as me. :-)