I tend to be a dweller -- always have been, probably always will be -- so I tend to toss things around around and around in my mind, creating different scenarios, and truly getting the most of conversations as I can.
And -- so of course, I did that with David's keynote!
After I got over my initial joy of seeing David again -- for those who have not met him yet -- he is just a nice as he seems on the camera. Friendly, inquisitive, a bit scattered at times (grins, aren't we all??), and just a wonderful Southern Gentleman.
Looks like I took a side trip there -- well after I got over my initial joy, I just sat back and listened and learned and then this morning, I took the time to listen and learn again -- and this is what I ended up with.
1 --How many of us are on the rails -- doing the same thing over and over again. Pulling out lessons plans (that probabaly worked) and using them without truly thinking of a new way to teach it?? How many of us have found our comfortable seats and have settled in......for life?? Because not only are our kids on the rails -- we are too!! And we might need to set the example of taking the side trips.
2 -- I know it was just coincedence that the FedEx truck went by when David was talking about rapid change -- but this I dwelled on for A BIG AMOUNT OF TIME. Because our students not only are involved in rapid change -- but (as with FED EX) they want it NOW. They don't want to have to wait -- and they no longer had to wait. When we were growing up -- our information (for most of us) stayed in our desks when we went home. Though we had a set of encyclopedias, I truly don't remember pulling one out to browse unless I had an assignment. But it is different with our students -- they don't have to wait. And what we used to take an entire quarter to teach -- we probably can teach now in less time because the students already know it -- or can find it on their own and come back and teach us what they learned. And truthfully -- I fought this (rapid demand) and wonder if others did as well??
3 -- The world has expanded. The only thing I wished David had done differently -- and perhaps he did and edited it -- was to find out where the people were from that he had contact with during this session. Because our world is not enclosed by walls any longer (as evident from the Fireside chat last night). We will meet people from EVERYWHERE at ANYTIME and that is exciting.
4 -- His lesson where he taught a student without saying a world spoke volumes to many of us. And that is learning -- and it was a great story!!!
5 -- As we ride the train -- we really have no set understanding of our destination -- and I think right now we are in the tunnel of tech and are just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, we are not riding alone, and as we take our side trips, and then get back on the rails, I hope we all stay in touch -- and keep learning from each other.
Excellent keynote, David!! Thank you.
Jennifer http://www.technospud.com