Debrief #1: NECC08 or When are TWO feet never enough?

Yesterday morning, Brett Hinton (ADE) inquired about the best and worst things I got out of NECC. We were walking with Dr. Chris Johnson (AzTEA) who quickly had a thoughtful and considered response.  I just needed process time.  So I am home now debriefing myself, can one debrief themselves effectively?

The worst: My aching feet, this venue was MASSIVE and included ballrooms and conference rooms in neighboring hotels.  A few sessions I selected filled up 20 minutes before start (there were amazing sessions) but then I went to NECC UnPlugged at Bloggers Cafe’ or Second Life Cafe’ and landed in amazing discussions and presentations.  So maybe that wasn’t all bad afterall!

Worst of the Worst: already being inside the airport, passed security when this huge thunderstorm hit (I love thunderstorms), and leaving on Tuesday.

The best: The laundry list of wonderful people I met, bumped into,  was introduced to.  Some I only knew by reputation, some I knew from AZ AzTEA (great showing of AZ folks), some I did not know but they enriched me and enthused me to continue working for equity and leadership embrace of EdTech.  Huge AzTEA announcements:  Dr. Helen Padgett being announced as President-Elect of ISTE; Cathy Poplin (ADE Deputy Associate Superintendent for Educational Technology - Mrs. Poplin was our keynote at AzTEA in Maricopa, February 2008 ) was named to the SETDA, the State Educational Technology Directors Association, Board of  Directors!  Meeting James Surowiecki, first keynote and author of ‘The Wisdom of Crowds’ - see book notes below.  Being interviewed by Janine Lim of TWICE (Read Around the Planet) for a You Tube piece (lets see how good Janine is at editing…), at NECC UnPlugged I met and listened to amazing people, even meeting one of the originators of Diigo, a social bookmarking/networking site I have only recently begun utilizing.  The grass roots quality of our conversation represents what I see as the essence of the UnPlugged ‘UnConference’ philospohy of Steve Hargadon - connecting industry movers & shakers, leaders and creators, visionaries and users in a casual and equal environment.  Sharing authentic experiences and needs.

Attending SIG IVC (ISTE Special Interest Group for Videoconferencing) - meeting people I had only seen in email or on-screen, and making great new connections, relationships and ideas to bring back to my district.  I have a  passion for advocacy and had the opportunity to participate in the ISTE ABC”s of Advocacy, hear ISTE leaders from around the country (including DC) speak and engage us in thought provoking advocacy ideas.  As this all percolated, I was motivated to ask how to originate a SIG for special needs students (adaptive technologies, 21st century skills and technology for differentiated instruction).  I believe 21st century technology and the rise of Web 2.0 tools WILL engage our special needs students in new and provocative ways - through ease of publication; improved personal voice (creativity and creation that let us hear an inner voice that they may not be able to articulate).  Many of our neediest and most often ‘left behind’ and voiceless students are destined for sheltered-workshops.  But many have a cognition that far exceeds that future.  i would like to find a group of like minded individuals who see that our severe needs students are more than the sum of their verbal or physical or even (NCLB) cognition.  Dr. Padgett advised that the place to start at NECC are the ‘Birds of a Feather’ sessions, to help discover if the NECC community of educators are interested and motivated toward this path.  If you know me at all, you know I CANNOT WAIT, nor can these amazing students!  I mentioned to Steve Hargadon, Classroom 2.0/NECC UnPlugged, that I was planning to create a NING group.  He said there is some work out there already in this area, I shall have to make connections and see how I can compliment and support that direction, learning what is already being done, adding my voice and interests and helping to build this community.

Best of the best: Connections, new and renewed!  Open and equal access to great minds, teachers and administrators in the ‘trenches’ and ‘birds of a feather’.

What is the biggest thing I took away, aside from a renewed understanding and passion for Open Source, creative commons, copyright, tools for advocacy, new ITv ideas and resources, renewed vigor for Second Life as a viable, strong and relevant Professional Development vehicle?  I am reminded that after all, there is very little new under the sun.  Educators working together and collaborating, building on what has come before, making it relevant through a new lens, is nothing new.  That technology evolves at break neck speed - not new.  That we all work to identify best practices - not new.  Discussion how to best utilize the right technology for improved education of our populations - not new, but not resolved.  What is new are the ways in which collaborations occur and the tools being used to facilitate them - social networking - such as Classroom 2.0, the newly released (yesterday morning in fact) PBS Teachers Connect, NECC wiki.  the tools - wiki, blog, twitter, chatzy, uStreamTV, You Tube, live casts, podcasts, vidcasts, videoconferencing……  Our collaborators and peers are clearly not only the teacher down the hall, but the teacher around the state, the nation, the world.  We are no longer at the precipice of the new global economy, global connections, global education - we are in it!

Ok, I know this is a laundry list of things and doesn’t reflect my ‘transformation’, that is the reason I must debrief.

Book Notes:

James Surowiecki - The Wisdom of Crowds - An incredible book about collective wisdom being smarter than the smartest person in the group.  This book, along with one other are the most important books I have read in recent years.  I meant to bring my copy along (with all it highlights, dog eared pages and color tabs sticking out) in the event there was a book signing.  I forgot to pack it but got to hear Mr. Surowiecki live and meet him at NECC Central, so that was fabulous.  We educators talk about creating teams and collaboration and this author put the reasoned thought and observation behind it, adding strength to what we may already intuitively know (or should know), the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

The other book? Well, of course it is ‘A Whole New Mind - Why right-brainers will rule the future’, by Daniel H. Pink. Meaning offense to none - this is my EdTech Torah, aka Bible.  Almost every page is dog-eared, stickied, tab’d.  This book is so pivotal and important to me that I bought it as a Christmas gift for my key Administrators, at that time - Gina Pinch, Director of Technology and Dr. JoEtta Gonzales, Curriculum Director.

It is an exciting time to be in EdTech, and especially an exciting time to be at MUSD (this is the year of BANDWIDTH!!) and videoconferencing equipment at every campus (versus 1 mounted unit at the HS and 1 portable unit at one elementary).  This year we will be opening with 6 Elementary, 2 Middle and 1 High School- is this alien landscape still Maricopa?  Just a few short years ago we were 3 schools, an entire district (elem, Ms, Hs) on one wee campus!!!

Goals for EdTech:

• Improve/Expand videoconferencing to more robust, mainstream use, including professional development
• Teachers social networking with teachers using Classroom 2.0 and PBS Connect or utility of their choosing
• More purposeful blogs and get classes to use wiki’s.  I have gotten other schools to use them, why not my home school - Note to self:  Craft fresh message
• Administrators, Teachers, Students creating audio and publishing podcasts (RSS), maybe vodcasting.  I already have one Administrator, our Curriculum Director, Dr. JoEtta Gonzales, lined up to blog and podcast on a regular basis.  The point - well modeling for sure, but mostly opening the doors of communication to the local community and beyond, using the most appropriate and timely means available.
• Stronger advocacy and focus on mainstreaming Web 2.0 with special needs populations
• Stronger advocacy for the value, importance and urgency that should be assigned to EdTech - for all populations
• And the hardest fo them all:  Listen more, Observe more - Talk less (Hard for a NYC girl)

Challenge Question: The hardest word, yet most important to define, when working to reshape educational goals through an Educational technology lens…

Define transformation, using an EdTech, Education lens.  Comments solicited.

When is a laptop a paperweight?

At NECC 08 day 1. I didn’t need it but have been schleppign it along all day, I now walk a little lop-sided. Regardless of the dead weight slung over my tilting shoulder and twisted spine, I have met really interesting people and unbelievably, I have encountered them again and again, in a upward of 16,000. I found Eric Morris, CTE Director from Superior, AZ in a crowd and my Savy Cyber Mentore from Stephens Institute (CIESE Collaborative Projects), from about 10 years ago. How small world is THAT?

I can’t wait to post before and after (or nearly after) pics from the vendor hall. t opens tomorrow and Dave from Denver tells me that still tonight (already 8:40 pm in TX) adobe buildings and carpet are yet to be delivered and installed/constructed to add an authentic San Antonio air.

Missed opportunity - I meant to bring my well worn copy of ‘Wisdom of Crowds’ in case there would be assigning opportunity with James Surowiecki. Darn it, I decided to leave it and all the page markers that hang boldly out - announcing my discovery of ever increasingly exciting wisdoms - and there it sits in my living room and there James sits in ISTE Central. Seems silly to approach and ask for his autograph on my copy of today’s L&L Daily Leader, on which he is the front page prominent picture - or will that be another missed opportunity. Alas, my copy of his book rests comfortably on my nightstand, where a series of books I refer to regularly, reside.

I think it is time to watch Second Life live stream reenactment of the entertainment, side-by-side live band and virtual real-time SL avatars…

and maybe I can get my SL name card tag. I am up to 8:
Blogger, podcaster, plays well with others, computer geek, old-timer, connector, ISTE member, SIG Member

NECC 2008 Sunday

OMG! I forgot the cables and card readers to convert my pics from phone and camera to blog. Always something.

Yesterday was the EduBlogger Un-Conference originated by Steve Hargadon of ning and Classroom 2.0. I participated in great discussion on how to engage leadership so that districts can move forward into 21st century education. There were amazing people in the audience, including David Warlick (see Light Trails page), Peggy George and Gailene Nelson (Yahoo). There were many more articulate thinkers and speakers in the room, I don’t know them yet - but I suspect in time, many of us will!

It was great to watch the Twitter tweets being posted about the discussion, during the discussion. It adds an interesting dimension.

Dinner was on the River Walk, San Antonio is beautiful and in spite of the humidity (high comparable to Phoenix), the climate is great and the area invites strolling! STROLLING!!

Today is annual forum and summit for ISTE ‘Special Interest Group’ for videoconferencing and I have met some folk I have only seen via ITv, heard about amazing projects and ideas and listened to a brief but powerful welcome by SIG President Howie DiBlasi.

This afternoon I am off to ISTE ABC’s of Advocacy. I am really looking forward to this workshop.

Gotta run, lunch time at SIG IVC!

NECC 2008

It’s that time of year again, and this is my first year participating at NECC 2008 in San Antonio.  I feel like a kid, just a few days before Christmas - there is an all consuming anticipation.  I am looking forward to many events, to connecting with many people (some that I only know on-line), some I do not know - but follow and read (see My Page ‘Follow Their Light Trails’) and many I know from right here in sunny AZ!

On Sunday I will be at the SIG IVC (Special Interest Group - Interactive Videoconferencing) Summit.  As the MUSD ITv Coordinator, I anticipate making important ITv connections and cementing existing virtual friendships that can be used as we build out District’s program.  Through the implementation of Trillion (improved bandwidth and dependability) and the pending purchase of additional ITv equipment at additional school sites, MUSD will indeed (at long last) be in a position to finally grow this program and realize the full potential of ITv as an educational tool for students, teachers and administrators.

I am also looking forward to the ISTE Workshop ‘ABC’s of Advocacy’.  I continue my work to champion Educational/Instructional Technology (ET/IT).  I sit in many ways:  I sit on the AzTEA Board and ‘Advocacy & Public Policy Committee’  and am an Associate Board Member of ATIC (read previous post).  I expect to bring my growing advocacy knowledge and abilities to our District and Community on behalf of ET/IT and to support my personal interest on behalf of Special Education Advocacy at MUSD.

I look forward to seeing the ‘bleeding edge’ of ET/IT at NECC and how innovations and creativity are working to transform education in the 21st Century landscape.

See you in the Virtual Spaces!  Follow me on Twitter

NECC Blogs

ATIC - Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council

I owe thanks to Dr. Chris Johnson, President of AzTEA, for bringing this opportunity to serve, to the attention of the AzTEA leadership. I am delighted to join ATIC as an Associate and Representative for K-12 and rural community interests and concerns. I would like to extend my thanks to include the following people for welcoming me:

Ted Kraver (Az eLearning), Mark Goldstein (President IRC), Oris Friesen and Ron Schott - ATIC Chairman

ATIC Website: http://www.arizonatele.com/atic/

Upcoming Debates - Corporation Commission
The Corporation Commission is the responsible entity for deciding many issues that may directly or indirectly relate to connectivity, and other technological issues across the state of Arizona. In turn, decisions may directly or indirectly impact what businesses, districts and communities are doing with regard to access, costs…

There are 3 seats open on the Corporation Commission and ATIC (Arizona Telecommunciations & Information Council), is again hosting candidate debates along with the support of CCEC (AZ Citizens for Clean Elections Campaign).

Candidates: There are 4 Democratic and 8 Republican candidates.

Mark your calendar:
Debates - All candidate
July 15th: Morning - Democratic candidates; Afternoon: Republican candidates
Meeting will also be presented via webcast and over cable
Debate - General Election Debates
September 15th: 3 winners from each party will debate

Debates will be held at Rio Salado College, Tempe

Today I have joined the phone conference of the last Public Meeting of ATIC for this current year and look forward to attending the July Board Meeting. As a longtime resident of Maricopa, I am delighted to report that in this public meeting ATIC celebrated success (presented by Roz Boxer - AZ Department of Commerce and Lisa Bergeron - Pinal County) of helping the City of Maricopa in obtaining a $250,000 grant.

This grant will provide technical assistance and broadband, to the city, with a goal date for end of 2009. Gila River Indian Community and Ak-Chin were acknowledged as important community partners and supporters.

Also presented was a compelling reflection on the success of Superior and connectivity ‘revitalizing mining communities’ and shared that the system or model that has been developed can be emulated in other communities and circumstances.

There are many other amazing discussions and presentations happening as I am typing this commentary. My personal interest rests in EQUITY, social equity. Broadband access is fast becoming an economic and social thick line, drawn in the proverbial sand.

Pew Research has a vast body of work as part of their Pew Internet & American Life Project. Research shows that communities with dial-up or no access are at a societal disadvantage. This extends to the home, the school, business opportunities, ability for communities to market themselves, for communities and their members to remain current and competitive … This is an interwoven system, if any of these ’spokes’ are improved or robust, the expectation is that other sectors of a community will be positively influenced.

I live in a community that - only in recent years - obtained high-speed broadband. I lived remotely where there was NO connectivity, nor option (aside from costly satellite) and, more recently, in a suburban area with high-speed access. Pew poses an interesting argument - the extra cost or lack of accessibility can be prohibitive and thus creates an additional stressor to economic and social advancement in a 21st Century economy.

I am interested in advocating for undeserved populations - for me this includes 2 areas of my life: (1) equity in internet access, specifically for the benefit of P-20 education and (2) advocacy for special needs students. I am a member of the AzTEA ‘Advocacy and Public Policy Committee’ and I have a personal expectation that my growing advocacy abilities will support my own special needs student, my school district, my city and my state.

I look forward to being involved with this amazing group of visionaries who are acting on their visions. I have much to read, much to learn and much to consider but, if you know me at all, when you read the ATIC MISSION, you will easily recognize why I am so pleased to be involved!

Other names to know:

• GITA - Government Information Technology Agency
• AZ Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities

Twitter is over capacity. Too many tweets! Please wait a moment and try again.

I just received the above message from Twitter and have mixed feelings!  I am crushed that this massive collective conversation is happening RIGHT NOW and I am not a part of it - but I am also excited that so many people are using Twitter.

Join the twitters, tweets and thweets! … Just not right now!

Google Maps - Maricopa Unified School District

Zoom in using the navigational tools, click on a site for MUSD District details - Not to scale
Teachers, you too can create your own lesson-based Google Maps, ask me how!

View Larger Map

Desperately Seeking ‘catch all’ buzz name to replace ‘EdTech’

I have not liked the term EdTech for quite some time, but have not encountered nor devised a suitable alternative that is still fairly intuitive, so playing with this one: DigiTech, sounds a bit too much like DigiMon, hmm!

I think we still need to lose that ‘Tech’ term, helps administrators and educators to keep on thinking of technology as ‘other’ as ’separate’, not integrated, it seems limiting. For me digital means, the electronic world, but also the global community that is now accessible digitally - this ease of access is changing EVERYTHING!!!!

DigiTech - not there yet - but I shall keep trying. If you encounter a great term to replace edTech, that captures the bullet points below: add it to the wiki! (think I will throw this onto my blog)

• Anytime, Anywhere Computing
• Ubiquitous Computing
• 21st Century Skills, 21st Century Literacies, Digital Literacy

Wiki: Learning @ the Speed of Light
If you have never encountered this video, have a look see.
Shift Happens - Here as a clear reminder of what the above bullet points represent!

• Video
  • You Tube (Streaming)
• Wiki

Wi-Fi in Maricopa!

Did You Know? WiFi Hotspots are turning up in Maricopa? All you need is the Orbitelcom.com email address from your Orbitelcom.com account, to have free access. At this time – City Hall and Pacana Park are Hot! Take your laptop (with wireless connectivity) during meetings or when you just want some fresh air in the park, but also want (or need) to be connected … and – voila - you have access!

Imagine this – teachers take their own, or borrow/check out one of your campus laptops, conduct LOCAL field trips to Pacana Park or City Hall (students studying environment, recreation & health, civics perhaps, or engaging in citizenship) and immediately engage with the internet to research flora, fauna, pitching speeds, running stats, air quality issues, ecology, law making and city government … or other ‘field trip’ relevant topics of discussion.  - Maybe someday the students will take ‘their’ own

What a fabulous service finally coming to Maricopa. Thanks Orbitel!

Contact Orbitel to let them know we appreciate this service and that we hope they keep adding more Hot Spots!!!

Ubiquitous, Anytime, Anywhere computing is absolutely a critical marker of a 21st Century Community, devoted to 21st Century Literacies and Skills for students & residents!

See you in the Hot Spots! A

http://www.orbitelcom.com/internet/wifi.asp

CR20AZ08 Day Two - morning pics

Someone twittered or thwirled about a pic above that is clearly NOT from the afternoon event, that is my early Second Life Avatar, at the AzTEA Storytelling Cove on ISTE Island, back in March. I am chatting with Gandhi (aka: Joseph DeLappe).  The pic was a snapshot taken within SL and was in the photo folder when I uploaded to Slide)

However, if you look at the slideshows of the 2 day event, you will see that we connected to distant participants, using SKPYE.  We spoke with students from a Paradise Valley HS who are leaders in the GenYes program, and from leading thinkers in the areas of 21st century literacies, technology and education.

Joseph DeLappe: Reenactment of Gandhi’s Salt March in Second Life