Jan 25 2009
Reflections on a Conference I Didn’t Attend
This weekend I was in Philadelphia. I met amazing people, had great conversations, and attended inspiring professional development sessions. All from the comfort of my office swivelly chair. And yes, I watched most of it in my pj’s.
I was at Educon 2.1 via Mogulus, a broadcasting platform that allows for video streaming and simultaneous chat. I really do wish I had been there in person, but to attend virtually was a great second-best. Maybe next year? I’d probably have to take a week off to get there and back! There were 350 physically attending. I wonder how many took part like me. Chris Lehmann, the faculty and students at Science Leadership Academy did a great job of bringing in a wider audience.
The conversations in the chat room were fascinating–at times a lot of “push back” on my own thinking (a term new to me in the last six months–not all heads nod, respectful disagreement, alternate points of view). I wish I could find the chat logs to see what I read and said.
In Bud Hunt’s presentation he used a tool called Ether Pad. Looks like an amazing tool for synchronous collaboration. One chat room discussion was about the true value of blogging. Someone contended that most blogging was essentially drivel, and not worth an audience. (I hope I am being fair, because I don’t have the transcript). I guess blogging either finds an audience or it doesn’t, like any other form of publication. Think of those bins outside bookstores with deeply discounted stuff that won’t be read. At least dead blogs don’t clog the landfill.
Another discussion was about whether books belong in school anymore. I really want to read the chat log on that, because I was a bit incredulous. This is not about textbooks, but any book. The chatter said they were inefficient. Can’t get my head around that. Maybe I was feeding the trolls on that one.
Alec Couros’s session on open learning was lively and satisfying. I wish I had thought to change browsers to Internet Explorer from FireFox as it was really choppy. They talked about online identity, sharing and the “gift economy”, who owns data and more. I actually recognized a dozen faces in the room, which in itself is quite amazing to me. Again, can’t wait to see the encore presentation.
I could not have pictured on-line learning being this engaging and inspiring a year ago. I have been taught so much by so many in such a short amount of time. It’s remarkable and humbling.
How has learning on-line through such virtual conference experiences affected you? What is missed? And does it matter?
Image: Grace’s Ghost by Pickadillywilson
3 responses so far
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I wish I would have attended from home! I never even thought to see if there were such options. Thanks for your reflections on the professional development while in pjs:)
I was shocked about several “chats” especially the non book belief! I love any opportunity to add books to our class library. There is a place for digital literacy and another for good ‘ole non fiction book literacy:)
Maybe next year I too can attend in pj’s!
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Lisa, I think you would have really enjoyed the experience. I am still wondering about the book discussion. I think he was thinking of content learning in high school–perhaps he doesn’t think school time should be spent on reading for pleasure? I really want to go back to get the context.
Thanks for dropping by!
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It sounds like you had a great pro-d weekend! Wow, school without books?!?! I just read Claire’s latest post at Clarify Me before I visited here – have you read it yet? It’s about reading books – funny coincidence!
Living in rural BC means that I’m participating more and more in conferences and workshops online. I just finished two Elluminate sessions on BCeSIS Gradebook. The presenter was in Kamloops and there were ~20 people from all over my district participating. It was great – so convenient. I’ve also participated in the K-12 online conference from home and at school with a couple of other colleagues crowded around a computer. Online is definitely better than driving 4-6 hours to and from a conference and spending $ on hotel, travel, etc. for those of us living outside the lower mainland.
One thing I have noticed is that the experience is different if you do it alone. By yourself you can really focus and be completely self-directed (there’s also the added bonus of wearing your pjs!). I think that sometimes though, it’s nice to experience the online learning with others. I think it’s more fun when there’s a small group of people sitting around the computer together (that could be my learning preference talking though).
I still do enjoy travelling to the big conferences and walking into the bustling lobby full of conference delegates. But I’m thankful that I can learn from the comfort of my home or school too.
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