(Return to K12online 2006)
I work in ICT professional development in New Zealand, and have followed David's writing for a few years now. David will be keynoting (in person) at our Learning@school conference in Rotorua, New Zealand in February.
I particularly enjoyed the concept David described in his keynote of educators today being able to work in a perpetual conference - life and learning as a conference experience - where we use blogs, wikis and online conversations to collaborate and to further our own learning. This really interests me, specifically the way learners can follow new educational ideas and concepts, and take part in developing them. This online conference has the potential to open many new doors and foster ongoing connections between educators internationally, and that's exciting.
David's story about Dan Gilmour's presentation that began with "any questions?" is a good example how the online conversation works. While this would be unsettling in a face-to-face keynote where many voices are hard to accommodate, questioning, answering and commenting is the natural mode of communication in the engaged online world.
Jedd
I'm looking forward to meeting you, Jedd. I often use a story you shared with me on a mailing list, years ago, how teachers in your area go on job shadowings rather than students. We are engaged in a perpetual conference -- it's a life-long learning engine.