In case you missed it, I was privileged to provide the Pre-Conference Keynote for 2010 K12 Online Conference. You can watch it there and comment but I did want to share some insights on how I created the video. While it may not look like it, it took between 40-50 hours and I thought I'd show you how I did it.
And now you know.… Read the rest
The beauty of the K12 online conference is that you don’t need to panic that you haven’t been able to keep up. It doesn’t matter. The presentations are all there waiting for you. While online learning implies an anywhere, anytime approach, there is great value in sharing the experience face to face. Duh.
So on Tuesday I invited a few folks together to watch some presentations, talk about them and share our own experiences. It was good. There were people there for whom they had never heard of many of the ideas and really needed to wrap their heads around the implications for teaching and learning. For those without a network to support them, this is invaluable. Even if one person can come away with a plan or at least a connection, I’m pleased.And here’s the other thing. Traditionally we send a teacher to a local conference, pay sub costs, registration fees, mileage, meals and maybe accommodation. You can conservatively estimate a cost of about $500 a day. I brought it supper at about $10 a person and I would say we had an experience, equal if not better than a day at your typical conference. I’m in the … Read the rest
I’m not sure if this says more about my social life or my connected life but whatever. You can judge for yourself.
So it’s Friday night, my wife is out watching my girls perform in Annie. (I’m really a good parent, I watched them on Saturday I just don’t need to see it three times). So I find myself watching Jeff Utecht in Bangkok on his computer, streaming his former colleagues in Shanghai gathering together on a Saturday watching presentations from K12 online. You may have to read that sentence twice to get it.
Jeff held a similar event a couple of years ago. 2 years ago, streaming video was not readily available but Jeff did record some of that event for viewing after the fact. Today, streaming video is as easy as email. But Jeff had to do some fancy configurations to stream his Skype call from Shanghai back to Bangkok out to the world. I was concerned that the internet might break at any moment. Jeff has a reputation.
As much as I live this stuff everyday, there is still a WOW factor here. The WOW of an almost seamless discussion with people who care deeply … Read the rest
While last Monday was the official start of the K12online conference, this Monday is when we really get rolling.
Two presentations each week day begins. As a convener I’m excited to see that conference continue to grow and expand. This year there are a number of improvements and additions.
Wes Fryer and I were guests tonight on It’s Elementary talking K12 online.… Read the rest