Multi-Faceted Refractions (backup version)

Conference Learning to Classroom Experience

I am getting a glimpse of the future and beginning to experience classroom 2.0. Here is my experience.

I am moving through the physical space based upon the conference's determination of schedule. As is any school, there are several different choices which I can select and I am limited by time and space to participate in only one at a time. Some of the sessions are being captured via either audio or video podcast, so unless I really want to see that presentation, I can choose one which requires me to be physically there to have the experience and follow up with the others at a later point.

Armed with laptop, I have several windows open at a time. One is my calendar, one, my email, thirdly is a blog window to capture notes, a fourth is a window which I use to go out and research links which are mentioned so that I can tag or search my library and amazon for book references.

The most important window open is my aggregator which is loaded with my twitter feeds and friends. From this window, I am able to follow what is going on in other sessions from trusted friends. If my session is not engaging me, I use my feet to move my physical presence to a selection which will meet my needs. Yes, it is a case of engage me or enrage me, something that we must understand and experience in order to understand what changes we must make to our teaching in order to focus the attention of our students in the all important physical space.

The last window open is a second view of my aggregator, which I can scan to read the reflections from various sessions from other trusted friends.

Preaching to the choir, as teachers, mentors, and guides we are in the midst of a war for the attention of our students. Our message has to rise above the white noise of the six open windows on my connection device as teach students how to develop their voice, determine what medium to use to create for their best method to communicate their ideas (text, pictures, movies, audio, peformance) so that it rises about the white noise and clutter of other creators. This is a daunting task but one we must get a handle on so that we can properly guide all of our learners, students, faculty, administrators, and parents.

My thoughts. Look forward to feedback from others.



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posted by Unknown @ 8:52 AM