#Edchat 06 – 21 – 2011 – 18:00 CET 12 PM EST
Mea maxima culpa! This is sooo late. Apologies to everyone and above all to Doug Green who prepared this fabulous post. A combination teaching and then a horrible throat infection 😦
This truly is a fabulous post. But was truly a fabulous #edchat with all that energy coming from the ISTE11 conference and all those great edchatters in one room! I think Doug has done a great job in capturing some of that energy and although the benefits of online PD via online conferences was explored and acknowledged to be invaluable, the sheer power coming from the delegates at ISTE11 couldn’t be ignored and there is a need to meet face to face and have that boost of learning that only a live event can give. Thank you again Doug for a great post. You can find out more about Doug and his amazing productivity in the field of education in his bio at the end of the post. Please take some time to visit hos blog to find out more!
Modern education conferences are changing to allow for more interaction and participation online by those who cannot attend. There is agreement that there is no substitute for face to face meetings and that ideally educators can profit from both face to face and online sources of professional development. It’s hard to match the hands-on benefits conferences offer.
Here are some of the main themes from the discussion:
- Some were concerned about the costs of conference registration and other associated costs. A great deal of online activity is free.
- Modern conferences allow for some level of participation of people who cannot physically attend.
- Face to face meetings are not the same as online meetings but both are valuable. Ideally you can have both. The hands-on aspect of conferences may be the most valuable part.
- Thanks to back channels, modern conferences already combine face to face and online aspects.
- Some people wouldn’t know about things like Edchat and other valuable resources if they didn’t attend conferences like ISTE11.
- Following conference hashtags can extend the conference in time. You can start to participate before you get there, check the back channel at the conference, and follow it after you get home. You also interact online with people you meet after the conference.
- Many people would like conferences to be more interactive with shorter presentations and/or presentations available online. The TED model of presentations was cited by some as an improvement over longer presentations.
Here is a selection of some of the comments:
With such a vibrant discussion, it’s almost impossible to do it justice in a summary, but I’ve picked out some of the comments that caught my eye
ShellTerrell @stumpteacher absolutely agree that the human connection is important
DrDougGreen There is no substitute for face to face. The trick is to keep the cost down like #140conf. I would be in Philly if iSTE charged $140 #edchat
agutierrezIT Can stay relevant by continuing to having great Keynote speakers, accepting unique sessions/presenters, & strive to be unique
blairteach Conference sponsors are going to HAVE to have wireless access or they will appear “dated” & out-of-touch
tecjtromom ed conferences need to model using tools from the web in all topic areas
daveski61 Personal interaction remains critical. A virtual handshake isn’t as good as a physical handshake.
malalande Asynchronous is great for some activities, but not ideal for hands-on where I-to-eye feedback is relevant
blairtech IMO, conferences offer great opportunities to connect f2f w/our online colleagues & there’s great value in building relationships.
techtrimom @web20classroom: face to face contact will never die and so these conferences are invigorating and very important
blairtech Conferences can be very motivational; the online PD can extend the enthusiasm kindled at the live event.
earthspacequest Physical presence has more power to inspire than online friendships!
elanaleoni @ShellTerrell Human connection is def important but we need to reinvent conference structures to become more relevant.
elanaleoni Instead of lectures & ppts, let’s do interactive/collaborative workshops where participants can try things & fail & try again 🙂
tkraz A real place to gather as a community will always be important. It’s what makes the community stronger.
rjwassink @drdouggreen Its not the random relationships, but meeting virtual friends in real life after getting to know them digitally is key
davidwees How many educators here actually pay 100% attention during a 1 hr lecture? PD should be more interactive.
I’ve been following the #iste11 hashtag since October and will continue to follow it. No more one shot conferences.
tkraz Conferences are getting tougher to pay for with so much available for free online
caroljallen @davidwees Agree and in my case I find a ‘hands on’ element the most useful
bjnichols Discussion is great either f2f or virtual…I am more interested in the action that results from discussion
davidwees You should expect teachers to engage in PD somehow. Extrinsic motivation like money will serve to kill interest and passion
MrBernia I’d love a flipped conference, where attendees listen to a presentation before, then attend and collaborate with the presenter.
davidwees Suggestion: If you are running a conference, offer at least one option for unconference style learning
To follow the complete discussion see here
For the stats on #edchat participation see here
As ever, there were some great links shared:
Wow, what a lot this week!
@jpk38: http://t.co/o6769ql #iste11 #edchat Collaborative notes, please share and add to. Lets learn from the whole as well as r parts!
@ILT2012: Experience Some of the International Society for Technology in Education Conference without being there: http://t.co/uHiBoUN #ISTE11 #edchat
@MoodleMcKean: Cool Websites – 21st Century School Teacher http://bit.ly/ieF5i8 #edchat #lrnchat #edtech #elearning #webtools #websites #tlchat #education
@businesscardsav: and who would I give my business cards to w/out ISTE? #edchat http://bit.ly/h3OIKg
@rkiker: Sneak peek at my Emerging Google Tech preso in the Google Teaching Theater at 12:30 Wed. Come by! #ISTE11 http://goo.gl/OVh96 #edchat
@KevinfMcCabe: take look at this @DavidPriceOBE: New on Blog: Michael Gove and ‘respect’ for teachers: http://t.co/TjQuWL3 #edchat #ukedchat
@SErwin: Great tool. “@russeltarr: YouCube: Students choose 6 relevant vids for a topic, then present them with this: http://t.co/vFijP7Q #edchat
@NextGenLC: Schools Blend Computers With Classroom Learning via @nprnews http://ow.ly/5pVRj #edtech #edchat
@amckiel: Magical Moments http://bit.ly/kgIXgG #edchat
@aaallain: Let Me Learn My Own Way- fantastic article on Jungian learning styles with a math twist! http://bit.ly/lMdnZZ #math #edchat #homeschool
@azjd: Separate process of work from the product of work – by @davidwees http://is.gd/la9fA7 #edchat
@davidwees: Here’s an example of what I mean. “The Best Professional Development of My Life” http://t.co/PalivcP #edchat #iste11
@tadawes: 13 Things You Pay For That Your Library Has For Free http://bit.ly/lg8erv #bibliotek #edchat
@ekendriss: WiFi nonaccess @ f2f conf #edchat #ISTE RT @jranck: Epidemiology and social media: conference fail http://j.mp/jEICM0
@MarjieKnudsen: The 3 most important questions in education – Wash Post http://t.co/xLLSDxb #edchat #parenting #education
@joycevalenza: Camilla will share list of great ipad apps for ed in wiki #iste11 Leadership Symp. Wiki http://t.co/7UplyzC #tlchat #edchat
@RealLifeUnplugd: Sweden Tackles Gender in Classroom http://bit.ly/mDI64m #k12 #edchat
@drtimony: You see this badge? http://ow.ly/5qydn This is MY town, errr, presentation. #edchat #iste11
@gingerconsult: @humekaren: How kids are affected in the age of multi-tasking http://ow.ly/5ndap #edchat #edtech #adhd #education
@azjd: Is this the future of learning? Sophia – Social Learning Community – by @InnovativeEdu http://is.gd/yLPPAG #edchat #edtech
@EdutopiaBetty: Thanks for a great day, #ebc11! My Report from EduBloggerCon11 at #ISTE11 http://bit.ly/meDZfh #edchat
@joycevalenza: Camilla will share list of great ipad apps for ed in wiki #iste11 Leadership Symp. Wiki http://t.co/7UplyzC #tlchat #edchat
@8Amber8: darn it #edchat!!! Quit bng so engaging!! http://lockerz.com/s/114374558
@drtimony: Teach like this: http://ow.ly/5qyoC trust your students, no matter who they are, collectively possess much info #edchat #iste11
@DavidPriceOBE: New on the Blog: Michael Gove and ‘respect’ for teachers: http://bit.ly/iEOjTn #edchat #ukedchat #clvfestival
@lookforsun: Looking for a 15 minute option? See this picture. http://bit.ly/j3xSG8 #edchat
@ILT2012: Experience Some of the International Society for Technology in Education Conference without being there: http://t.co/uHiBoUN #ISTE11 #edchat
@azjd: So You Want to Integrate Technology – Now What? Via @4thGrdTeach http://is.gd/YcSnGW #edtech #edchat
@azjd:10 videos that WILL ignite a discussion – Part 5: great resource from @justintarte http://is.gd/uZVyru #edchat #cpchat
@tcbird1: I love this article! Teachers are the educational experts http://t.co/26m2TUt #edchat #edreform #politics #education
@blairteach: Admins & Tchrs: Would appreciate additional input on value of PLN (if you haven’t already contributed).Thx. http://bit.ly/kKKR2V #edchat
@davidwees: This picture describes to me the value of the unconference model of PD. http://t.co/8FiZ3Br #edchat #iste11
@blairteach: @web20classroom Sometimes use this article to prompt discussion of change: http://bit.ly/9hSKFt #edchat
@EDREFORMERIFFIC: INEPTION http://post.ly/2FWx3 @NBCNews @AdamVerdugo @meetthepress #StandUpNJ #Edchat
@dlpd17: @teachingwthsoul: @BuckleyLibrary G-Doc with Twitter Chat schedules~>> http://tinyurl.com/66ar5v9 #edchat #iste11
@stumpteacher: @mbteach Any newbies need help with twitter/tweetdeck feel free to share some tutorials on my page. http://j.mp/f5RUbv #edchat
@azjd: Look where you want to go and steer in that direction: How a blog started a school – via @ktenkely http://is.gd/l87ian #edchat
@KTVee: holy schmoly – next time someone says there’s “nothin’ on twitter” show them this! http://t.co/S2PaMkM (Thanks @ljconrad) #edchat #ISTE11
@HappyTeacherLA: @PatParslow this is kind of heavy, but this is one of my guides of what’s my point. http://t.co/lAT5TYu #edchat
@gwynethjones: Lady GaGa Librarians Unite! http://t.co/uelGRG9 #ISTE11 #TLChat #EdChat @ladygaga #SIGMS
@johnnybevacqua: Love is not enough http://t.co/5hN0uHM by @DrTroyRoddy #bced #cpchat #edchat
@cybraryman1: My all about #EdChat page with pictures from today’s session at #ISTE11 http://tinyurl.com/4f8pqfn
@DelaneyKirk: @michellek107 @mrsalander Michelle-great post on building PLN! OK if I link to on my blog? http://t.co/rvWfHXe #edchat
Dr. Doug Green. @drdouggreen
I have been an educator since 1970. After teaching chemistry, physics, and computer science, I became an administrator for the next 30 years with experience at the secondary, central office, and elementary levels. I have also taught a number of leadership courses for The State University of New York at Cortland and Binghamton University and authored over 300 articles in computer magazines and educational journals. In 2006 I gave up my job as an elementary principal to care for my wife who had Lou Gehrig’s disease. After her death in March of 2009 I decided to see how I could use my expertise to help busy educators and parents hone their skills and knowledge. Doug’s blog can be found here.
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