Lifelong Learning 2.0

EduBloggerCon was exactly what I hoped it would be.  Innovative, flexible, and interactive.  Meaningful conversations.  Organized just enough, yet adaptable and unwritten to allow for spontaneous sessions.

After the Web 2.0 Smackdown, I spent some time in the session led by Mark Wagner. I loved the concept for the session, “Wish a particular tool existed? Learn how to get it made! We’ll design a tool together.” The plan was to brainstorm ideas for a tool that we all wished would have existed and vote on a favorite. Funds would be collected, and Mark would then hire someone from rentacoder.com to create the tool.  The interesting part of the session was having someone suggest an idea for the perfect tool only to have someone else give the name and url for the tool that already existed.  In the process, I picked up a list of really cool tools.

JuicyStudio – Readability test

Teachers Connecting – Collaboration/Connections for Projects

OnlineProjects4Teachers – Collaboration/Connections for Projects (Jen Wagner)

Global Education Collaborative – Collaboration/Connections for Projects (Lucy Gray)

Scholarpress.net – WordPress + Education

Socrata – Social Data Network

Voice Candy – Professional Voice-over/file of teacher comments linked to rubric

Vocaroo.com – free audio recording for embedding or link

Drop.io – keep hearing about how people love this, but haven’t looked into it yet

Great list of (already existing) resources!

The final consensus was to create a rubric builder tool that would be filled out electronically and connect you to a Google Form or Spreadsheet.  If I’m understanding it correctly, this would allow teachers to share rubrics.  I sent my name to be on a list to contribute to the project.

Even if the rubric tool doesn’t get created, I picked up a handy list of resources to check out.  The opportunity to sit in a brainstorming session with so many great minds was inspiring.  I love the collaboration model.  Just think of what we can accomplish when we put our minds together!

If you’ve used any of these tools and recommend them, post a comment.  If you love drop.io, explain it to me.

Photo Attribution: kjarrett

In our chats about EduBloggerCon on Twitter, Jon Becker made a comment about it being like the first day of summer camp.  I love the analogy! It’s funny to look back at the first photos I took, with a room full of people that I had never met in person. Sure, some I had connected with virtually and consider a valuable part of my personal learning community.  Yet there were many in the photos, (even sitting in the rows right around me) that I didn’t know that day, but came to know well by the end of the week. Now, it feels like I’ve known them for years. (I mean that in a good way.)

Steve Hargadon organized EduBloggerCon to be about getting together in a “collaborative conference” setting, to share experiences, questions, tools and strategies. He did an amazing job putting it together, giving enough structure that the day could be organized, yet allowing enough freedom that the schedule could grow organically around conversation.  The free event was also organized by the participants in a wiki and allowed for virtual participation.

The day began with an hour of time to socialize. Who wouldn’t love a whole hour for a meet-and-greet? I was all over that. It was a wonderful time to catch up with old friends, meet virtual peeps in person, and get to know new people.  The room was busy with business card exchanges, cameras clicking, hugs and conversation.

My first session was difficult to choose.  My interest in Professional Development Models made me want to attend the session led by Liz Davis.  However, since this was my first time at NECC and EBC, I had to experience a Web2.0 Smackdown for myself. The basic idea involved people lining up to demo their favorite Web 2.0 tool.  However, there was a 3 minute limit per person.  I love that the event was streamed live in elluminate and Ustream for virtual attendees, and backchanneling goodness in CoverItLive.  Thanks to Vicki Davis for facilitating, Paul Wood for officiating, and Kristin Hokanson for organizing the backchannel.  Many thanks to all who took the stage to demo a cool tool.

Go here and scroll down to watch a fun remix of Smackdown Memories from 2007 and 2008 that Vicki Davis put together.  You’ll also find the recorded video and backchannel recordings from the 2009 Smackdown.

Here is a list a few of the cool tools from the session:

Diigo Lists – Vicki Davis – I heard a lot about Diigo this week. Amazing features. Need to switch over. Vicki also shared how the Diigo lists can be shared as a WebSlide.  Very cool!

FreshBrain – Rushton Hurley – open & free website for teens to create projects, engage in social networking, and explore technology

QR Codes – John Costilla – What are these things?  Had to check Wikipedia!

Google Similar Images Searches – Lisa Thumann – Loved her recent CR2.0 session on Google Tools.  This Google Lab feature is cool!

CompFight and FlickrStorm – Angela Maiers – Amazing tools for images.  Angela did a refined search for literacy.  You need to try this!

CoverItLive – Kristin Hokanson – This is a great find.  I plan to use this one a lot next year. Loved the line: “Students notes are better, because they are doing it together.”  On the break, Kristin (below) took time to give me a more detailed tutorial of CoverItLive. Awesome!

Wikispaces – Adam Frey – tools and tagging tips from our favorite wiki guy

Fur.ly – David Jakes – Shortening multiple urls into one

Twoogle and Twitalyzer – Scott McLeod – Cool Twitter tools! Twoogle is a genius idea!

Woot – Leigh Zeitz – online store that sells cool stuff cheap, selling one item per day until it is sold out

K12 Online Conference and EdTech Talk - Wes Fryer – Can’t wait for this conference!

Taggalaxy – Lee Kolbert -This is an awesome find!  Try it out!!

TinEye – Maria Droujkova- a reverse image search engine

Opus09, Noteflight, JamStudio – Chris Chater – great resources & new ning

Bump – Chad Lehmann – Love this.  What a quick and easy way to exchange information!

Today’sMeet, TinyPaste – Craig Nansen – A backchannel option and an interesting tool.

And last, but not least, I have to mention the…

New and Improved Web 2.0 Keychain – Kevin Honeycutt – Loved how Vicki had Kevin demo this from a train, on his way to NECC. (Gotta love Skype!)  If you weren’t able to get one of these keychains, you can download it from his website.  I need to ask him permission to use this idea with the teachers at my school this year.  I’d love to give them “a new key” every time I finish a presentation.

If I’ve left anyone out, please add it in the comments.  I typed as quickly as I could into my Google Doc.  Time flies when you’re watching the Smackdown!

More on the other EduBloggerCon sessions in another post.  I’ll leave you with this list of resources for now:

Resources:

EduBloggerCon Wiki: http://www.edubloggercon.com/

EduBloggerCon Group on Diigo: http://groups.diigo.com/groups/edubloggercon

EduBloggerCon Schedule: http://www.edubloggercon.com/DC+2009+Agenda

EduBloggerCon Aggregator: http://www.edubloggercon.com/EduBloggerCon+Aggregator

Thanks to kjarrett for the many awesome photos he took at EBC09 and NECC09!

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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!