Classroom 2.0, Web 2.0 Un-Conference
Posted by achayefsky on May 8, 2008
Steve Hargadon, creator of educator’s social networking site ‘Classroom 2.0′ has come to Paradise Valley Arizona to lead us in this vision of an un-conference. Does an un-conference defy definition? Only in the way that it is a fully participatory, flexible and collaborative meeting of minds for a common purpose and scope of interest.
This un-conference has pulled together several dozen educators to discuss and share about web 2.0 and social networking. It is lunch and we are sitting in the Board Room at the Paradise Valley and connecting with Skype and nice portable Polycom camera (like I have at my desk at work). We have just spoken with Leigh Zeicks in Northern Iowa and are currently speaking with David Jakes, from his office at his school district. (Typing on mac, not proficent at it - will sweeten this up with links later, and did not bring my card sleeve so will post pics later.)
This is a free workshop, supported by FABULOUS and VISIONARY sponsors who recognize that web 2.0 and digital and 21st century literacies must be embraced and WILL rock the future of our stduents as they become tomorrows leaders.
We agree that we need a lexicon to manage and define the terms that are flying, but the un-conference is amazing. We all have experience in our fields and areas of expertise, we all have something to share and contribute. Presenters are not really, they are people who threw their name on the agenda wiki and everything is open to change ot follow the interest and need of the collective body that is the audience. Now we are skyped to Dean Shareski in Canada. He advises that his teachers started at ‘let’ do this because it is cool’, to ‘let’s do this because it will get our students to deeper learning’. Oh! Here is Chris Lehmann, who says web 2.0 has opened up ‘good constructivist learning’ and connectivity in meaningful ways (MEANINGFUL WAYS). Ask why before what!!! How will this learning be better than how you did it in the old way - if you cannot answer this question clearly, keep wrestling with the idea… the last speaker, Chris, shared an example of a group of students creating a screenplay collaboratively across Google Docs.
Here’s the wiki from/for this amazing event, which is also running a live chat stream in chatzy.
Classroom 2.0 Live Un-Conference Wiki
May 9, 2008 at 4:49 am
Wow, Amy! You have done a fantastic job of capturing the excitement and substance of our first day at CR20 LIVE!It was so energizing to be surrounded by a room full of educational technology enthusiasts, laptops fired up and eager to step up and share their questions, ideas, experiences and resources. The spontaneous Skype conversations Steve arranged with immediate responses from some of my professional role models (David Jakes, Chris Lehman, Dean Shareski and Leigh Zeitz) was such an inspiring time. It was so great that we had generous sponsors provide our lunch so we could stay tuned and connected during that time. Even in an “unconference” we had too many opportunities and had to miss something. I’m so glad people are blogging, chatting, tweeting and sharing so willingly so we can catch what we missed! I can’t wait for day 2! Thanks for blogging about it!
Peggy