wow…this conference is a joy. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to talk and discuss issues with fellow educators from all over the world as well as listen to some great minds. Tim said it best when he stated “it’s like having a keynote speaker in every session.” After the keynote speakers this morning, my first session was with Brian Mull on Web Ethics and Safety. I’ve been to alot of these (heck…I’ve presented alot of web ethics and safety sessions)…but Brian’s was by far the best. This can be such a boring subject to be so important. But Brian was entertaining and gave alot of useful information. His presentation is online. You should check it out by clicking here. And please make sure you watch the video Think Before You Post. What a great way to get students to stop and think…or at least debate the longevity of the internet’s information even after it has been deleted.
For the second session I went back again to hear Ewan McIntosh. This time his session was titled “We’re Adopting:” An Adoption Strategy for Social Software in Education. As you know and definitely can tell by now….I am not a good writer and frankly would rather pick up the phone and talk, but I must take the time to share with you a quote that I heard today in Ewan’s session. Ewan says “It’s not about the tech…it’s all about the teach.” What a great line! Sometimes I feel we educators miss the point of technology. As I always say, “Technology is a tool, not a crutch.” It is not to change your teaching, it is to enhance it. It is not to teach technology for technology’s sake but to use it to open doors for your students. Hopefully your students will use these doors to develop a wiser and more critical mind…but they need a tour guide. It is my hope that you as their teacher take them there.
3 responses so far ↓
Brian Mull // July 22, 2007 at 4:38 pm |
I am so glad that you enjoyed my session. To be honest, this is the session I was dreading the most but I think came off the best.
Like you said, not a very exciting topic…but very important.
Ewan McIntosh // July 27, 2007 at 4:17 am |
The thing is, that for some teachers a big change in their teaching IS required if they are to reap the benefits of the tools. However, I’d argue that if you’re teaching along the lines I see successful teachers working in every day then the changes are far less drastic and, yes, the technology is enhancing. It’s the chalk and talk teachers, the ones who are the sage on the stage, that will have to drastically change their ways of working, technology or not…
coarnold // July 27, 2007 at 8:33 am |
Yes I agree, however I do feel that some of the “chalk and talk” teachers may get a little energy and excitement back in their classrooms by the use of technology. Our district is in the mist of a huge interactive board implementation, of which I work very closely with the schools and teachers. I have seen teachers go from “get that thing out of my room…it’s blocking my white board”…to “I love this …teach me more!” It has totally changed the way some of these “burned-out” teachers approach their day-to-day teaching. These teachers just needed someone to take the time to show them how to change their teaching…for the change to take place. And as I tell my schools, there will always be one or two that are “nay-sayers”…just ignore them and move forward. Some will not like being left behind and an interest in technology will develop.