I’ve been looking forward to this conference for a long time. It’s been about learning, celebrating and having a lot of fun. For a province of one million, we’ve put together quite a line up of people. In no particular order, some random thoughts:
- Twitter is real. Meeting f2f people like D’arcy Norman, Brian Lamb, Jennifer Jones, George Siemens and Cindy Seibel as well as those who live her in Saskatchewan is cool and slightly surreal. I spend more time with these people than the majority of people I’d consider my working colleagues. Some might view that as sad, I don’t.
- Back channeling provides push back. Whether it’s in twitter, ustream chats or informal discussions, no one gets away with much. Generally I agree with Alan November’s talk and position but am glad I have to think deeply about things.
- We could use an open space format. Alan November says, “it’s not about the technology” and George Siemens says, “it is about the technology” How about the two of them unwrap that idea in an informal discussion. Add Stephen Downes into the mix and you’ve got something. I’d be there in a minute.
- I hope I make some people mad. We’ll maybe not mad but if there’s some discourse, some disagreement, there should be some learning. My session with my IT manager on ET call IT might ruffle feathers. I think I’ll ruffle a few more tomorrow, at least I hope anyway. But I’m not a bad person.
Oh and by the way, Brian Lamb is fun to watch.
There’s still more good stuff to come.
Dean: The couple of times I met people in person, it was surreal, but nice. You do build an online relationship, but it’s great to actually have time to talk in person. The only problem is that the time goes too fast; especially if there is a large group all meeting each other for the first time. I’ve seen many of you speaking about Tlt for a while now. It sounds like a great conference so far.
It’s nice to hear people present through Ustreams and read Live Blogs, but there’s nothing like being present in a room full of great speakers. I think it helps having a group to talk with and process the information at a conference. When your online network shows up, it’s a built-in sounding board.
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I would agree with Ann — it is surreal, very very nice — but it flies by…..and then you have to be patient to wait for the Next F2F.
I need to say to you — and please pass on to all — that it has been grand that you are allowing us to piggyback the conference via ustream. All the sessions so far have given lots to think about.
If you DO HAVE that session with November, Downes, and Siemens — please let me know ASAP….and make sure you hit record. It would be a highlight for MANY of us……
Thanks again!
Jen
Jen,
George Seimens
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/414762
Alan November
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/415592
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/415595
Stephen is tomorrow.
The hardest part of this conference was making choices. I usually have to travel a very long way to find the quality of presentations that seem to drip out of the schedule at TLt. And your sessions were a highlight, Dean. “ET phone IT” and “Rule #1: Share Everything” were great. Sorry, you didn’t make me mad; I’ll try harder next time!
And for the record, I think one of the biggest benefits of the conference is that it is a k-12 and Post-secondary mashup. Great stuff was evident from all of the groups represented, and the cross-over effect was tremendous.
Richard Schwiers last blog post..WORLDCOMP’08 Call For Papers – Deadline: June 1, 2008
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