NECC 2010 - now ISTE

We are heading to Denver for the ISTE (formerly NECC) Technology Conference for another learning adventure! June 25 - 30th

Planning is underway!

Accomodations are reserved! Registration is in process!

Scheduled workshops include:

• Google Guide: 29 Secrets for Using Google in the Classroom
• The MY HERO Project: Digital Storytelling Tools for the Classroom
• Challenging the Gifted Student Using Google Apps and Web 2.0
• Leadership Planning with teh School 2.0 e-Toolkit
• Google Wave
• EPEARL (Electronic Portfolio Encouraging Active Reflective Learning)
  

Watch for more additions! More updates!

Excellenct Music Session and stuff

I was wrong. The one and only one music session was quite good. They brought in a great presenter, and it was attended by some top music software people. I learned about some online music software that will fill a need immediately AND it is designed to integrate with Moodle!

Had a great time talking and eating through the thunderstorm last night at the restaurant formerly run by Jack Abramoff. Good bonding with folks we would otherwise not get to know.

Planning for 2010

I agree with Gabe. Next year's group should do more planning to get in on the best presentations. (You know, do it during the Spring tri when we have lots of time!) Still, I do think we're missing out.

The Robert Siegel led debate on the relevance of brick and mortar schools was interesting. The most powerfully articulate participant, Gary Stager (http://www.stager.org/) actually argued persuasively for the irrelevance of the posed question, ("Are Brick and Mortar schools detrimental to the future of education?") by focusing on creating inspired learning environments no matter where they are. He was superb, but caused his team to loose ground. (That was fun!) We should make contact with this guy!

The second most powerful debater was a young man entering 11th grade next fall. He was given the rebuttal and spoke without notes with passion about the foundational value of relationships, (of all things) and that these only happen in brick and mortar places.

Sadly there are fewer music related topics and vendors this year.

Robotics

I went to a paid session on Monday regarding the use of Lego’s Mindstorms. I was really directed at younger kids (the model which the presenters used was for 5th graders), but I saw some serious potential for crossover into the middle school. The basic model they used required maybe a week to introduce the basics of motion and sensors, and aspects of programming. The programming interface has lots of similarities to Scratch and is pretty easy to teach and to pick up on. The problem solving needed to make a simple robot excecute simple motions is not overwhelming, but it’s still good. And there are undoubtedly kids who will quickly master the basic and run on to ideas I can’t even think of.
I wonder if this could fit into the middle school math/science curriculum somewhere? Thoughts? Roger Murray? Tamre? Where do we teach Scratch in the middle school?
I happened upon this website which provides a fantastic model for robotics in the middle school. http://inside.catlin.edu/site/msrobotics/
They participate in FIRST FLL in the fall, but have a much more open spring session which gives kids a chance to get the core skills and play. Lots of good ideas, including a Girls Only Day.
I talked to the LEGO reps in the exhibit hall about some resources for mechanical motion. I feel like I need help from someone like Bill to teach my robotics kids the basics of motion (simple machines, complex lever systems).

Next Year

We've had a couple thoughts for future attendees. First, as much as the low key attitude toward preparation helps reduce stress, it also means we may miss out on some opportunities. There was an all day session on Sunday that i didn't get to, which i might have.

Second, seems like the concurrent sessions are hit or miss. Some are excellent and very worth it. Others are not as stellar. At my robotics sessions yesterday, the lady next to me mentioned that she ONLY goes to paid sessions at conferences like this or CUE. There may be some validity to that statement; after all the quality is probably consistently higher. Pete and I are going to a session this evening on the "tech science classroom".

An interesting thought/paradox. The new model for teaching incorporates hugely more collaborative, informal communications. In some ways, NECC models this well. A lot of communication happens outside the sessions, and those people who use the conference to network and connect with peers with whom they collobarate using the web gain a LOT. On the other hand, attending some of the traditional sessions is a little like going to a school which is not using Web 2.0. I would love to see more of the presentations modeling the teaching methodologies they extol, rather than using powerpoint after powerpoint!