Drape's Takes

David Warlick led a session during EduBloggerCon 2007 that was extremely enlightening and by now, landmark. As a result of the enthusiasm felt in that session and subsequent relationships that were formed following that initial introduction, I have been reflecting further on the read/write web and its implications for the future of education.

To begin Mr. Warlick’s session he asked a simple question: “What is working?” Answers varied from brief one-word answers to elaborate descriptions of effective practice. I took fairly comprehensive notes during the session that I have yet to publish. As the content was very thought-provoking, I felt that it would be helpful for all to benefit from the discussion we had. My notes follow.

What is working:

• Wikis – An example of this is the EduBloggerCon wiki. This entire event was planned thereon.
• Online collaboration – School systems are getting together and sharing resources. –Diane Hammond
• Because of new Web 2.0 tools, students and teachers are progressing toward a new learning environment –David Jakes
• Students can show competence.
• Digital cameras, interactive whiteboards – Teachers are starting to engage.
• “The digital camera is the gateway drug [of educational technology].” –Mark Wagner
• “What should the classroom of today look like?” –Steve Dembo
• The classroom of today is a tandem classroom, paired with another classroom of another culture. –Hence the need for increased community (like EduBloggerWorld).
  
• “It’s all about connections.” –Vicki Davis
• “Start where you’re comfortable.” –Vicki Davis
• “I have some students that - what goes on in schools stays in schools.”
• “Now that we have all of this data on our students, what is there in the long tail for education?” –Doug Johnson
• “The school of the future doesn’t concentrate on tools – because the tools are constantly changing. The school of the future concentrates on the learning.” –Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach
• “Kids need to know how to choose which tool – because there are so many…” –Scott Merrick
• “Smart classrooms have to be more than just the hardware – it’s a philosophical change about what happens with the tools in the classroom.” –Jeff Utecht
• “We’re at the very beginning of a huge shift.”
• “The smart classroom is the classroom that becomes a conduit for connections.
• “In the smart classroom, the technology’s not integrated, it’s integral.” –David Jakes
• “Social networking is going to be an integral part of the school of the future.” –David Warlick
• Should it be called “Student Networking” instead of “Social Networking”? –Vicki Davis

Edubloggercon has definitely been the highlight of my NECC experience. In the morning I, along with dozens of others) was able to meet the faces that accompany the names and the tweets. It was truly an honor for me to meet (and associate with) the entire Edubloggercon community.

Reason #6: Edubloggercon - need I say more.

The second session at Edubloggercon will leave a lasting impression on my mind as to the power of the blogosphere, collaborative software, and the spontaneity of ad hoc conferences. David Warlick led an incredible discussion about the future of schools, students, and teachers. My brain excluded, the collective brain power of that group could have powered all the lights in the Georgia World Congress Center for an entire weekend. While the audio is sub-par, you can listen to the session here. You can also view David's summary here, view a Flickr slideshow of the un-conference here.




This video (sorry so shaky - I guess it's best if you play/pause, play/pause, play/pause...) gives a quick glance at those participating in the second session.