I listened/watched David Warlick's Keynote this morning. Without a doubt it is like no other conference. I had a similar kind of experience at Alan Novmember's bash in July. I have gone back and re-listened to some of the workshops I attended. Which is the beauty of a conference such as this that is not time-constrained. I choose when I learn. Not new. Tivo for students,but really radical in many ways.
To make a point of these observations. I think I got so much more reviewing the workshops I attended at Novmeber in the privacy/comfort of my own bedroom. The fact that I can go back to this again and revisit, get a new perspective, when I am relaxed or the mood strikes me is a tremendously powerful teaching tool.
Leads me to 2 points, about online learning in general. Point one, anyone can learn, because you can rewind it as many times as you like so to speak and " get it right" in your own time frame. Secondly, the "teacher" better have something solid and relevant to share, fluff and druff will not do. Online learning will exist for a long time, so if you have said nothing, you may fool some of the people the first time, but chances are you might not fool them the 2nd time they view it. Wow very difficult for a presenter/teacher, makes you feel a little vulnerable I imagine.
I want to make a few other observations, "the sidetrips" David speaks of is where the true learning has always been, good or maybe the word I am looking for is "great" teachers have always known this. The thing is the internet/information/digital tools, just put this concept of "sidetrips' into over drive. What it reminds me of is the way scientists work, sure they have a rail, in fact they know every inch of the rail, it is branded into their brains, but that is not "learning" that is memorization, the regurgitation of facts or principles is not learning. Real learning takes place on these "sidetrips" when a teacher/coach says something like okay so you know this. or you have these set of facts at your disposal, now where can you, or do you want them to take you? I had a great teacher who used to say about questions of ethics/history/etc.."who is to say?", Just who is the "Expert" and then he would bellow,(for a very quiet man) You, you are to say. It is your job to go find the truth and be the "expert" This information age we are in or entering is allowing this to happen. Here I am sharing my thoughts with everyone who cares to read. Astoundingly powerful stuff. Thank you to all the organizers and participants.