Lifelong Learning 2.0

Live conversations about the impact of the Internet on society and culture can be found at Conversations.net, brainchild of Steve Hargadon.  It amazes me how many great ideas can be brought to life by just one person. If you’re not familiar with just how much he has accomplished so far, check out Steve’s bio.

Somehow, I missed the opening of Conversations.net, which was created on July 13th, then kicked off the next day with the first interview.  I wondered, “How I could have missed this?”  Answer: 1. Life has been crazy since returning from NECC. 2. I was at the Coldplay concert that day. 3. I have been avoiding my Google Reader out of guilt of not being able to catch up. (More of this in a separate post.)

I’m letting you know about Conversations.net in case you missed it too.  I’ve listened to several interviews on Elluminate.  Using the Elluminate platform allows people to participate in the discussion, dialogue with other participants in chat window, ask questions by taking the microphone, view presentations, take polls, and meet great people.  It is a wonderful way to nurture lifelong learning and add to your PLN.

The first conversation was an interview with Douglas Rushkoff, author of Life, Inc. How the World Became a Corporation and How to Take it Back. As taken from Steve’s blog,

“Winner of the first Neil Postman award for Career Achievement in Public Intellectual Activity, Douglas Rushkoff is an author, teacher, and documentarian who focuses on the ways people, cultures, and institutions create, share, and influence each other’s values. He teaches media studies at the New School University, serves as technology columnist for The Daily Beast, and lectures around the world.”

Rushkoff was on the Colbert show the day after being interviewed on Conversations.net.  You can read more about him on:

Douglas Rushkoff’s website

Steve Hargadon’s blog

Conversations.net

Next in the interview series will be a conversation with Clay Shirky. I’m looking forward to catching that interview!  Keep track of future conversations from the Conversations.net site and the Google Calendar posted at the top of the ning.  Did I mention that it is a Ning? Join the free network to participate in extended conversations.  More Interviews can be found on one of Steve’s other nings, The Future of Education.  You can also follow these on Twitter: futureofed and convnet.

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!

Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Innovative Technology

I am a lifelong learner.

I must continue to improve my skills to stay current with educational trends, so I can offer the best to my students. I have an important role in taking control of my own professional development. One way to do this is attend dynamic conferences and webinars.  As I find out about them, I’ll add them here.  Some are face-to-face, but most are set up for virtual attendance. I have been learning so much from the conferences and online webinars that I’ve attended this past school year.

As I’ve said in a previous post, there is such value at seeing ourselves as lifelong learners first, teachers second. Social communities and networking can play a huge role in our professional development. I can’t wait to be spoon-fed through power points and handouts. I need to continue to question and push myself. I try to step out of my comfort zone and take risks.  It is here that I’ll grow. I need to make my learning experience relevant and set out to create my own plan.

Let’s Collaborate!

I have added a page to my blog called Conference Calendar.  If you see an event you’re interested in, add it to your calendar. If you find one I should know about, send it my way and I’ll add it here.

NECC Unplugged

Want to attend NECC this year, but can’t make it?  You need to participate in NECC Unplugged!  There will be 3 days of presenting virtually, using Elluminate.  You can present at NECC Unplugged!  Anyone can sign up!  Check out all of the details on this wiki.

Enjoy!

I am so excited to attend this web meeting about encouraging students in the area of social media and innovation!

The National Center for Technology Innovation is putting on a free webinar this week.  Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Innovative Technology is taking place on May 20th, from 3:00-4:15 ET.  Check out this website for more information.  If you plan on attending, register early here.

Read about the presenters below. (Taken from the NCTi website.)

Learn about forward-thinking technology solutions from four leading educational entrepreneurs who have unleashed student talent through the use of online, interactive platforms. Join Steve Hargadon, Founder of Classroom 2.0 and an architect of LearnCentral.org; Paul Kim, Chief Technology Officer for Stanford University School of Education and a leading researcher for Programmable Open Mobile Internet; Jennifer Corriero, Executive Director of TakingITGlobal; and Emily Briggs, Program Manager of Sprout e-course, as they discuss successful strategies for developing the entrepreneurial spirit of global youth in advancing social media and innovation. The Webinar will take place on May 20th from 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm ET.