Lifelong Learning 2.0

This will be my first trip to NECC, but I’ve attended other conferences in the past.  My favorites are CUE (Computer Using Educators Conference, in Palm Springs), and the ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) conference I attended in Chicago.  Good times and a wealth of learning opportunities.

Here are a few tips to share for your conference experience.

1.  Get comfortable.

The conference experience is an exciting one, but think about it.  You will be walking a lot.  Sitting a lot.  Prepare yourself.  Bring comfortable walking shoes.  Bring snacks and water.  Dress casually for the humid weather.  Check out the weather forecast here.

2.  Bring your laptop.

Sure, using your cell phone would be easier for travel.  However, this is a technology conference.  You will be absorbing a great deal of valuable information.  Do you really want to be thumbing it all on your cell phone?  Bring the laptop in a comfy bag so you can type away.

3. Plan ahead.

Attending a conference like NECC can be overwhelming! Sure, you can just show up and hope for the best.  If you want to make the most of it though, plan ahead. Choose workshops and post them in a GoogleDoc or use the NECC planner.  Then pull it up on your laptop (or cell phone) during the conference.

4. Check out the social networks sharing information about the conference.

NECC Ning: The Community Network

ISTE Connects

Twitter hashtags: #necc, #necc09, #edubloggercon

Blog Tags: bloggingnecc

5.  Be flexible.

If you are not sure about a session, sit in the far back and sneak out to another one if it doesn’t meet your needs.  I used to think this was rude.  It is if you sit in the front.  Otherwise, be discreet.  Presenters know you paid a lot to be there.  Make sure you are in a place where you are learning.

6. Attend the Debate

Joe Corbett just posted the names of the panelists for this year’s Oxford Debate, taking place at NECC.  Read his blogpost for more details.  I am so excited to hear from Michael Horn, Cheryl Lemke, Brad Jupp, and Gary Stager.

• Tuesday, June 30, 8:30–9:45 am (live audience of 4,000)

• At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Ballrooms A–C, Level Three

7.  Network!

Yes, the sessions are great, but the networking in between is awesome!  You don’t have to attend every session.  Take time to meet people and network in one of the lounge areas or attend a playground.  Bring business cards and pass them out to people that you connect with.  It is great when you can contribute to someone’s experience, collaborate on a future project, or allow then to help you when you need it.  Build a community.  Add to your PLN.

8.  Take time to blog.

You are fortunate to be able to attend NECC.  With recent budget cuts and financial strain on our economy, there are many that could not attend NECC that would have wanted to.  Contribute by sharing your experience.  Keep notes in a GoogleDoc during workshops.  Stop by the blogger’s cafe to write about what you’ve learned.  Pass along links, files and ideas in a blog post.  Share the love.

If you want to follow the conference through your colleagues blogs, click here for a list.

If you plan to blog about NECC like I do, add your name to the Google Spreadsheet.

Check out:  David Warlick’s 2cents on How to Web 2.0 your NECC 09

Add your stuff to:  coolcatteacher’s Slideshare Group

9.  Make time for fun.

Besides the obvious touring and sight-seeing opportunities, there are other great events taking place during the conference.  Some will be organized on the spot.  Here is a list of a few events that are already planned.  Please add more to the comment section that we’ll want to know about!

EduBloggerCon 2009: The all-day “unconference” for educational bloggers and members of Classroom 2.0. This is a free event with the space donated by ISTE.org. More information at www.EduBloggerCon.com!

EduBloggerCon 2009 & Classroom 2.0 Meetup:   Steve Hargadon is the founder of Classroom 2.0.  Celebrate CR 2.0’s Ning growing to 25,000 members.  There will even be a virtual option for joining the party.  All virtual snacks welcomed!

Tweet-Up: Registration is closed.  Check out the link as a reminder, if you already signed up for this event.

Storm the Hill:   Registration is closed.  Check out the link as a reminder, if you already signed up for this event.

NECC Unplugged:   Sign up to present, either on-site or virtually.

10.  Create a Google Map Tour

Take time to recharge so you can have energy for the busy schedule.  Consider creating a Google Map to create place markers for all of the restaurants you want to try.  Add the airport, hotels, and the convention center.  Or, leave that personal information out so you can share.

Load your Google Tour with a great list of food, drink, and cultural experiences to check out.  The Washington Post has a helpful site for restaurants, movies, music, and clubs in the area.  Click here to start your search for fun. Use the collaborate tab to share your map with friends.

Have any more tips to add to the list?  Share them here!

I know it is Tuesday.  But this couldn’t wait. I wanted to tell you about two great online events coming up on Wednesday, June 17th. If you aren’t able to make it, check out the recordings.

I just have a few minutes to post, so I will copy the details directly from Steve Hargadon’s email:

At 8am Pacific / 11am Eastern I’ll be interviewing Rachel Dretzin, the producer and director of PBS FRONTINE’s “Digital Nation” project, who will give us a tour of the project and talk specifically about what the educational community can do to be a part of it. Among other projects, Rachel was also the producer of “Growing Up Online,” a Frontline show that became a touchstone for many of us. Rachel has asked for *lots* of audience participation and feedback in this event, so please join us if your schedule allows! Event link: http://www.futureofeducation.com/forum/topics/frontlines-digital-nation

Then, at 5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern, I’m hosting an amazing panel on the future of books and reading, prompted by recent stories in the Wall Street Journal and Wired Magazine. Join us as we talk about the changing roles of author and reader in a social media world, and where everyone can “contribute to the conversation.” Panelists: Will Richardson, Bob Burg, Travis Alber, Aaron Miller, and Maggie Tsai. Event link: http://www.futureofeducation.com/forum/topics/panel-discussion-on-the-future

Click on the above links for more information. The Elluminate room (http://tinyurl.com/futureofed) for each session will be open up to 30 minutes before the event if you want to come in early. To make sure that your computer is configured for Elluminate, please visit http://www.elluminate.com/support.

Click here and here for more information from Steve.

Happy summer, everyone!

I love my iphone.  I’ve had it for 3 months and am always on the hunt for apps.

I stumbled on this list of iPhone Apps for learning on the Open Culture blog.  Those of you with a passion for lifelong learning should check out this list.  There are apps for literature, the arts, foreign languages, travel, science, math, and nature, to name a few.

Here is a sampling of what you’ll find:

Zen Proverbs Don’t you just love shaking your iPhone for an UrbanSpoon restaurant recommendation?  Shake your iPhone for a new Zen proverb with this cool app.

Margins Enjoy taking notes on the side when reading your favorite book or an article?  This app keeps all your margin notes together.

Art Gallery Premium Over 7,500 works of art to look at.  Learn about famous artists in your free time.

Translater with Voice Translations in 34 languages, with voice support.

Wine Enthusiast Guide Need help choosing a great wine?  Download this app!

Plan.Pack.Go A companion guide to help you plan that great summer vacation!  Get organized, and don’t forget anything you need to pack.

Urbanspoon I ran into two people this week that didn’t know about Urbanspoon.  Once they downloaded it, they couldn’t stop shaking that iPhone.  Give it a shake and it will give you restaurant choices based on criteria you choose.  Fun app!

AA+ Chemistry, Biology and Physics Study Cards  These apps give you an entire course to help you prepare for an exam, learn more about the topic, or refresh your memory.

15,000 Useful Phrases Find the right words to say for any occasion.

Star Walk Going on a date?  Taking a romantic walk outside at night?  Use this app to make you sound like a stargazing genius.

Go ahead and check out the list here: 100 Best iphone aApps for Serious Self-Learners.

But before you go, post a comment on this blogpost with at least one app that you recommend. (Feel free to share 2 or 3, or more.  Afterall, I did share 10 with you.) 

Creative Commons Photo Attribution:  iphone Desktop, by Powerbooktrance

The last day of school for students is in a few days.

I’m in project mode. Working on 7 projects this summer.

I’m in a reflecting-on-the-past-school-year mode. Will be blogging about it soon.

I’m in a getting-ready-for-summer-reading-mode. Went on Amazon last night and ordered books.

Here’s my Summer 5 list of books:

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us – Seth Godin

I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while.  Of all of the areas I’m interested in, social networking seems to continue to take precedence.  Seth Godin defines tribes as “A group of people connected to each other, to a leader and to an idea. Smart innovators find or assemble a movement of similarly minded individuals and get the tribe excited by a new product, service or message, often via the Internet (consider, for example, the popularity of the Obama campaign, Facebook or Twitter).”  ” Tribes,” Godin says, “can be within or outside a corporation, and almost everyone can be a leader; most are kept from realizing their potential by fear of criticism and fear of being wrong.  Change isn’t made by asking permission. Change is made by asking forgiveness, later.”

The Technology Director’s Guide to Leadership: The Power of Great Questions – Don Hall

ISTE published this a year-and-a-half ago.  It is on their top 15 list currently.  The author walks the reader through identifying their leadership style.  As described by Amazon, “Each chapter contains practical activities and exercises designed to assist you as you provide leadership in your organization. Hall explores how to more effectively facilitate communication between you and your team. Strategies are included to help you manage the performance of different personality types in order to bring out excellence in everyone.”

A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future – Daniel H. Pink

Have to read this book.  Yes, it has been around for a while.  Daniel Pink, former chief speechwriter for former vice-president Al Gore, writes with a strong, but soothing style that makes me want to read more.  He says “The keys to success are in developing and cultivating six senses: design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning.” Looking forward to stretching my right-brain senses!

Classroom Habitudes – Angela Maiers

Someone told me at a party a few weeks ago that I remind him of Angela Maiers.  That is the greatest compliment I’d received all year.  If you haven’t taken an opportunity to learn from Angela, you need to follow her on twitter and visit her website.  I attended a webinar with her a few months ago that was lifechanging. (Can you hear how fabulous I think she is?) LOL  Looking forward to reading her new book.  In it, she invites the reader to “explore together the behaviors, habits and attitudes that we’ll know with conviction will ensure our students for success both inside and outside our classroom walls.”

Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World HC – Don Tapscott

I’ve been meaning to read Don’s newest addition to the sequal.  Read this description from Amazon:

The Net Generation Has Arrived.
Are you ready for it?

Chances are you know a person between the ages of 11 and 30. You’ve seen them doing five things at once: texting friends, downloading music, uploading videos, watching a movie on a two-inch screen, and doing who-knows-what on Facebook or MySpace. They’re the first generation to have literally grown up digital–and they’re part of a global cultural phenomenon that’s here to stay.

The bottom line is this: If you understand the Net Generation, you will understand the future.

I’ll be reading this one along with a Summer Book Club.  The cool thing is that the 4 weeks of the Book Club discussions will be entirely virtual.  I’ll tell you a secret.   One of my goals to stretch myself professionally is to moderate an online book club for the parents at my school this fall, and to lead another one with my PLN.  Participating in this group will allow me to learn from the amazingly talented moderator, who is leading it this summer.   I hope to learn from him, then take that skill to start moderating 3 virtual book discussions each year.  Now that I’ve typed that secret goal, and made it public, I’ll have to actually do it!

If you’ve been reading this new blog since the beginning, you’ll know I am all about valuing people, making connections, collaborating, and helping to make each other stronger.  Please take a risk and consider typing a comment to this post with your summer book list.  I’d love to have others to consider reading in the future.

Secondly, if you plan to read any of these books, let me know.  Let’s check in a few times this summer on  the Summer Reading tab of this blog (wink! wink!), and discuss what stands out for us in the book!  It’s more fun when you can learn together!

Happy Summer!

Relax!   Read!  Refresh!

Creative Commons Photo Attribution: Beach Chairs, by Erinisfunky