I am blessed (and I mean that in total honesty) that I really have no huge obligations.  No husband, kids — so I have the luxury of going where I want to pretty much when I want to.  Which means, I am able to travel a great deal to conferences — both local and a bit farther away.

Because of this — I am blessed (and I mean that in total honesty) to hear a great many people share MANY MANY ideas, solutions, and also criticisms.

Flipped Classrooms, Bloom’s Taxonomy, iPad Solutions, BYOD, BYOT, Common Core Standards, NETS*S Standards, Why we should….blog, podcast, build a PLN, friend on facebook/not friend on facebook, skyping, projects, student voices, the teacher as a coach, etc etc etc.

I have edcamped, CUEd, ISTEd, ICEd, DENed, TechForum’d, webinared, twitter chats, twitter newspapers, flipboard, zite, and more.  I have seen powerpoints, keynotes, prezis, pinterests, wikis, slideshares, google docs, handouts, and more.  There are enough cons to contradict all the pros…..spoken very articulately with data (statistics) to back up their thoughts.

But what I am not seeing is…..
SILENCE.
REFLECTION.
CONSIDERATION.
REFRAIN.
THOUGHT.

I hear a lot — A LOT — of “this is what I think.”

I hear a lot — A LOT — of “this is what you need to do.”

I hear a lot — A LOT — of “look at me look at me.”

and I know — I KNOW — that we all have great ideas…..but what if we took time just to be silent,  to listen, and realize (ever so often) that we don’t really need to speak.

That in our silence, we might hear others.

Just my thoughts today,
Jen

For the last year — perhaps a bit more — we are have been working on a Tech Plan for our campus.

I am learning many things — probably the most important is that
“if we were all in agreement, we would not need this committee!”   — grins

We are 10 educators who really want the best for our students, out teachers, our campus – but see a variety of ways to get there with several varying solutions.   Sometimes it gets heated, sometimes it gets quiet.   Sometimes there is deep understanding and other times there is confusion.

But the bottom line is — we are in total agreement that we really want the best for our students –  our teachers — our campus.

After struggling to write a tech plan as a group, this summer I was enlisted to write the tech plan myself and then as a group we would edit it.   I enjoyed that freedom — yet with great freedom comes great responsibility.   Knowing my campus well, as I do…..I was able to use the tech plan to call attention to some areas I thought we could improve on, yet also call attention to what we were/are doing quite well.  In other words — I took literary license to stir the pot. 

For me, there is a strong desire for our campus to be one that other private Christian schools look to as a leader in technology.   We are already being noticed for our Digital Citizenship curriculum (http://cmcstech.pbworks.com/w/page/27795591/FrontPage) as well as our PreSchool ipad initiative.   Right now we have several other ideas that are brewing and the tech plan really will help these ideas come to a full boil!

So, in all the conversation yesterday — as my tech plan was being scrutinized (which is a good thing because 1 person can never be the vision for an entire campus) — and as I tried hard NOT to become too emotional when a few of my ideas were questioned or dismissed  — there was a moment that I had to detach and just listen as we made changes, suggestions, and discarded several parts of the plan.

As I sat on the couch last night — angry at myself for how I had responded one time (big knee jerk), disappointed that I had not been more vocal or articulate several times, and replaying several key points…….

I suddenly remembered one part of the conversation that had slipped by almost unnoticed, but so utterly important.   Debbie said “I really really like Goal #5…..and I responded “yes, I was pretty pleased with that one too.”   and other chimed in that they liked it as well……….

Goal #5:  Establish a New Teacher “Welcome to Tech at Calvary” plan

Strategies:

1. Each new staff member will receive orientation by the technology coordinator to be provided with necessary account information and passwords for computer login, email, attendance and grading software, voice mail and phone protocols
2. Each new staff member will also be assigned a mentor teacher who will assist them in becoming familiar with the software resources and hardware tools available in their building to enhance teaching and learning.

and I realized, that yet again, what I do the best…..is encourage, to support, and to assist.

And with all the things that were dismissed, rewritten, or put aside — the one thing most important to me — was recognized, appreciated, and accepted.

We are convening next week again to continue working on this tech plan……
and if you have a tech plan — especially if you are a private Christian school with a tech plan — I would appreciate seeing your document.

As Cam said “this is a small step for man, one giant leap for CMCS!”.

I am glad I am along for the ride.

Jen

When I saw this:

and then the twitter feed stopped.

I kept refreshing my page, waiting for an update…..when suddenly it occurred to me, if this was true (meaning twitters had happened during the Titanic sinking) the communication would have ceased.  And possibly silenced…..unless someone had planned ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Which caused me to wonder……..

Do you have a plan for your “message” to continue on…..if you were silenced?
(whether this be by moving to a new job/location or other possibilities?)

Are you working with someone(s) else that could and would carry on if you were no longer the one carrying the message?

If you are the only person with “vision” on your campus, hopes, goals, thoughts, expectations, plans, etc for assisting your campus to become a campus of opportunities….what will happen when you are no longer there?

I encourage you to start looking for people to partner with, to share goals, thoughts, hopes, plans, etc with…..

So in the case that you might be silenced……communication continues.

Just my thoughts today
Jen

I have just come from a very busy two months of conferencing opportunities and have a bit of a breather before they begin again in late spring/early summer.

And as I listen to keynote speakers and presenters….I admit, I have become a bit of a snoot.  It is not that I expect to be “entertained” but I do expect to be inspired, encouraged, motivated, and pushed a bit out of my comfort zone.  (hopefully you feel the same)

So….as I, and many of my fellow audience attendees, are gearing up for upcoming conferences…..here are some suggestions for the selection committee….

1.  Content is much more valuable than name
Perhaps it is just me, but I don’t decide whether to attend a conference based on the keynote….(in fact, gasp, sometimes I don’t even go to the keynote.)
So please don’t let the NAME DROPPING FACTOR outweigh the importance of their content.
We want someone relevant….sincere…..thought-provoking….and enthusiastic for education…..not just a name we can brag that we heard.

2.  Be diversified
Look for content but also be aware of your options.
There are very good women keynote speakers out there….yes there are.
There are very good keynote speakers  that are NOT from North America.
There are very good keynote speakers who are not Caucasian.
There are very good keynote speakers who are …..  (you can fill in the blank.)

3.  Be aware of the audience
You will never find any keynote speaker that is appreciated by all….but be aware that the people in the audience have a variety of differences and the keynote podium should NOT be a soapbox for the keynote’s personal beliefs — just so they can nag on things.
Sharing your thoughts is respectable, alienating the audience due to your personal agenda is not.

4.  Do not pay them to keynote JUST to promote their new book or product
Almost all the time, the keynote’s bio will mention his/her book — as well as slides within their presentation…..but the keynote should not be the time to sell their book.   Can they mention a few parts of their book — sure, that might be the reason they were chosen to present — but to go on and on and on about “what they did” is not keynote material.

5.  Do NOT book a keynote speaker who is not willing to be streamed
The keynote speaker should be MORE than willing for their content to be offered beyond the auditorium…if they are not, look elsewhere.

6.  Book the keynote speaker for 2 more hours AFTER the keynote
Too many keynote speakers fly in and fly out.  They have a book signing and then POOF they are gone.   Please extend the keynote’s time by 2 hours for a question/answer time AFTER they keynote.  Perhaps put them on a panel of others — so they are not now a bulls-eye — but extend the conversation.  I, myself, often have questions and need some clarifications after the keynote and an immediate follow-up would be appreciated.

7.  Have a place for resources
Provide an online location for the presenter to share their content….as soon as possible after the session/keynote.

8.  Invite student voices!
We want to hear from students……We need to hear from students.

9.  Have enough seats
or look back to suggestion 5.
There is nothing worse than walking to a keynote session and finding out that there is no room left.
This might be understandable for a session — but not the keynote.   You know your expected audience count — so make sure you have the room OR
look back to suggestion 5 and have alternate locations posted.

10.  Know that we appreciate your hard work
It is impossible to make everyone happy….but we know you really want to offer your attendees the best conference opportunity you can — and keynotes are an important part.
Know that even though we might not remember to say THANKS, we do thank you for working hard to make this conference a success for us.

Feel free to share your thoughts –
and go ahead and Name Drop some Keynote Speakers you think should be heard!

Thank you for extending the conversation.
Jen

I have just come from a very busy two months of conferencing opportunities and have a bit of a breather before they begin again in late spring/early summer.

And as I listen to keynote speakers and presenters….I admit, I have become a bit of a snoot.  It is not that I expect to be “entertained” but I do expect to be inspired, encouraged, motivated, and pushed a bit out of my comfort zone.  (hopefully you feel the same)

So….as I, and many of my fellow audience members, are gearing up for upcoming conferences…..here are some suggestions.

1.  Turn your cell phone to vibrate
Don’t turn your phone off — because hopefully you will be invited to use it during the session….but please set your phone to vibrate.   & if you do receive a phone call during the session….please tell the caller “just a moment” and then remove yourself from the room.

2.  Come prepared to learn
There are many many sessions to choose and you chose this one….and there was a reason….so come prepared to learn something new……NOT to criticize or critique.

3.  Give the presenter a chance
Our attention spans and our patience has dwindled down to “grab my attention in 3 or I am walking”.    But take a chance.  Sure, if after the first 10-15 minutes you realize you are REALLY in the wrong class….then excuse yourself and move on.   But often, (as with blog posts), the best nugget might be the last thing said….or the question asked from the audience at the end.   So unless the speaker is HORRID beyond HORRID…..give them a chance.   And remember, you will have time for feedback later.

4.  Multi-task with purpose
If you are a note-taker…take notes.  If you like to check resources online, open up that notebook or tablet and search away.   But don’t check your email or play Solitaire or Draw Something.   You came to learn….not to kill an hour.  If you came to kill an hour….head outside to a table and check your mail, play your games.  But when you are in a session….be kind and be on task — you came to learn.

5.  Be honest in your feedback in a professional manner
Tweet others as you wish to be tweeted is always something good to remember.
Fill out the evaluations honestly and if there is an area for more than just bubbles (1 excellent, 5 horrid) …. take time to write a few helpful words.  “I appreciated you took time to answer the question honestly”…..”you showed a Common Craft evaluation video….you might wish to subscribe to their work instead”…..”the color choice of your powerpoint background made the words hard to read”….”Thank you for up-to-date information”….etc.

6.  Say hello to the people around you
I have a hard time hearing sometimes….so often I will introduce myself to others just so if I missed something, I can learn over and say “what did they say”.   (since we are now friends — grins)
Take time to say “hey” and if you have time after you might even compare notes on what you just learned.

7.  Extend the session
Know the hashtag and use it, ask if the session is being streamed (if not, and you have the tools – ask if you can stream it), open up skype and invite others in, start a back-channel, ask for where the handouts (gasp — LOL) or web-resources are posted and share that out.   Check out the presenters website and share that out.  Find out the presenters twitter id and share that out.

8.  Position yourself appropriately
If you know you might be leaving the session early….don’t sit front and center.

9.  Get to the session early...
but respect that the presenter might be needing some “get ready time”
I always enjoy getting to sessions early — sometimes that might be the only 1 on 1 time you will get with the presenter.  But remember that they might be in the last moments of gathering their thoughts.   I have never EVER had a presenter be rude and dismiss me….but I have seen some look at their watch….      So take the time to introduce yourself to the presenter, if they are in a talking mood…ask some questions….but if not, understand that they are not being rude, they are being prepared.

10.  Be appreciative
The speaker (hopefully) has spent many hours preparing for this session.  Both in content and visually –
The speaker could be ANYWHERE else in the world right now and he/she chose to spend it here
If you learned something — if you are taking something with you to share with others — if you are walking away smarter than when you came — tell the presenter “thank you.”   Not just with applause, but hang around a bit to shake a hand and say “thank you.”  Or write an email, twitter aSHOUTOUT, or blog post to tell how appreciative you are that you heard this session.

Just my thoughts –
Feel free to add yours.
Jen

And as I listen to keynote speakers and presenters….I admit, I have become a bit of a snoot.  It is not that I expect to be “entertained” but I do expect to be inspired, encouraged, motivated, and pushed a bit out of my comfort zone.  (hopefully you feel the same)

So….as I, and many of my fellow presenters, are gearing up for upcoming conferences…..here are some suggestions (and also names/examples of people doing it well.)

1.  Don’t push play
If I can watch your keynote word for word on youtube, ustream or any previous conference archive — why should I sit in an uncomfortable chair for 1 hour in a crowded auditorium to hear it again?
Be willing to wander from your notes and not just be on “robotic” keynote mode.

2.  Include your audience
It takes you but 10 minutes to google “educators using edtech in “type in the city or state” and find a list of teachers you can meld into your presentation as “good examples” and people to follow.   It not only makes YOU look like you know your audience but you also just have cast the spotlight on teachers who deserve to be noticed.
Rushton Hurley does this superbly.   If you have the opportunity to hear him — a few times, you will see he ALWAYS includes local talent!

3.  Know your audience
Do a bit of research in advance to find out WHO you are talking with.  Put it in your “conference needs” that you would like a breakdown of the possible audience — teachers or admins, librarians or IT department?  If it is a big conference, look at the breakdown from the last few years.   Know who you are talking with….and if you don’t….poll the audience when you begin to find out.

4.  Show that you are a learner
David Warlick begins almost every keynote with “something he has learned in the last week”.   This instantly puts him on a leveled playing field with his audience because he has just showed that he to is a learner and not “the expert” in the room.   Find some way to show that you have not “arrived” yet but are still on this journey along with the audience.

5.  Have fun!
Every good presenter knows it is very important to have a joke and to have a personal story….you need to include the audience both in thought but also in emotion.  So laugh — joke (sincerely, not canned) — and have fun.
Kevin Honeycutt invites audience members up to play their “tablet” instruments with him.

6.  Be aware of your twitter comments
If there is a hashtag of your conference, follow it — to see if you are mentioned.  If you notice a catch phrase you mentioned is going viral — take note of that.  Don’t over use it — but be aware.   If there are questions about your keynote/presentation — take note of that and work out the kinks.   Twitter conference hashtags are more readily available and usually much more honest than a conference evaluation….so take note.

7.  Keep them surprised
Be willing to step out of your “presenter” mode and surprise your audience with something totally unexpected.   Do a magic trick (as long as it is relevant to the conversation), skype in an unexpected guest (make sure you test this first), or dress up in character to help emphasize your content.
Kathy Schrock dresses up often and people remember her sessions.

8.  Be relevant and be current
If you are going to put up statistics — make sure they are accurate and up-to-date.  If you mention a software, app, tool that should be used — make sure it wasn’t bought by Facebook or Google that week.  Check the websites you link to to make sure they are current.   Google parts of your presentation topic the night and the day of your session to see if anything new has been discovered, changed, or implemented.
Leslie Fisher is great at this.  Especially her gadget session…..everything is current.

9.  Be a good example
Please please — oh PLEASE — cite your references!!   Please please — oh PLEASE — share where you found or purchased your images.   Please please — oh PLEASE — be a good example of how to give credit where credit is due.  And don’t — oh please don’t — demonstrate inappropriate usage of any images, videos, music, etc.   Be an example to others of BEST PRACTICE of citing resources!!

10.  Be gracious
You might be the invited keynote — don’t let that go to your head.   The audience has much more power than you do.   True, you were invited to share — but it is the audience’s decision whether to listen.  And based on their response, it could determine whether you are invited to ever keynote/present again.
If you ask a question from the audience…..be willing to reflect before you give the canned answer you had prepared.  Resist all temptations to swear…..prove you have a vast vocabulary and don’t need to resort to slang.   Do not use absolutes — such as ALL, EVERYONE, SHOULD, and MUST.   Don’t bash any product that might just be something a newbie conquered the day before (ie:  Powerpoint) and don’t be critical over something that is so cosmetic and personal choice (ie: Comic Sans).
At CUE, I was in a session where the speaker asked a question and then had a very condescending response…..Sara Armstrong quickly jumped in — and very very graciously responded not just with a qualified and very informative response, but also with grace and kindness.   A moment before, the audience was bristling….after her response, the audience had calmed and was ready to continue on with learning and listening.

As I write this post….I am listening to myself as well…..since I am invited to speak ever so often.

Feel free to add your ideas of what are the obligations of a presenter….what we would like to see/hear from presenters…..or further examples of good practices.

Thank you!
Jen

Now, in no way is this blog post going to judge that purchase in any way — because I have realized 3 things….

a.  I do not understand the value of the price of technology
b.  I do not understand marketing at all
c.  I do not know anything about Instragram or Facebook’s charitable donation process

However, when you see that amount of money flashed on your screen, you honestly have to stop and say “hey, wait a minute…..1 billion??”

Things you could buy with 1 billion:

2,004,008 ipad 2′s

2,865,440 chromebooks

14,492,754 ipevo document cameras

7,100,591,716 #2 pencils

3,236,245 registrations to ISTE 2012 conference

Well all those could be very helpful within a classroom — but then I took my eyes off tech and thought.

142,857,142 hot lunches from Samaritans purse

2,500,000,000 chickens from Heifer International

18,181 guide dogs at the Guide Dog Foundation

20 matching gifts to the 50,000,000 matching gift at the Michael J. Fox foundation

And I have to stop and wonder……. 1 billion dollars for an app that allows you to share pictures?

And I remain dumbfounded.

Jen

To be honest, I have WANTED an ipad since they first came out….but it was always a WANT and not a need….so a big THANK YOU is necessary to my employer because without their generosity, I would still be living in the world of my ipodtouch.   (and quite content to be sure!)

The Tuesday AFTER the big launch, my new ipad (16gb with WIFI +4g – my internet at home was super slow, so this would help) was delivered to me – and since then I have explored!

Now, I could not, in any way, say that this is a game-changer….nor would I ever state that EVERY STUDENT should have one of these…..but I will share, with you, a bit, how in less than 14 days, things are a bit different in Jen’s little part of the world.

#1 – I am reading more
To be honest, I have a very substantial group of blogs I follow via my Google Reader.   But I had never dabbled with having “topics” RSSed to me.
I started to explore this option on the ipad, and downloaded both Flipboard and Zite.
While both of these apps are worth having on your ipad….I chose to stick with Zite.
Almost 100% due to the cosmetics and nothing more.  I like the layout much better.   I have chosen 12 topics that send information to me – from Christianity to Disneyland, from Election 2012 to Crafts, from Internet Safety to iPads, and more.   Just waiting there, on the right side of my ipad, waiting for me to click and learn!
–Still looking to learn:   how to read RSSed blog posts on the ipad, access Google Docs.

#2 – I am playing more
I was very happy with my ipodtouch – VERY.   But am finding the larger screen much more conducive to my aging eyes.   They have said that the Retina screen is much better…I cannot prove or disprove that….I will just say that pretty much every app I have looks nice.   And I will admit that I have had to turn down the brightness because often it is too bright.  But “OH, how I am enjoying playing on a larger screen.”
Silly perhaps, but true.
–Still looking to learn:  There is an importance educational factor to gaming but I continually get lost in the fun.  Need to explore this more.

#3 – I am learning more
Between my ZITE section ipad and an app magazine called App Advice – I am conquering the ipad and learning new ways to use it daily.
I had not known that if you double click on the home button it will NOT only show you the apps that are running in the background, but if you scroll to the left, you can adjust brightness, rotation, and sound.
I read “One Less Button — http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/does-the-ipad-have-one-button-too-many/ ) via Zite and have started to use 4 fingers to pinch to the home screen and swipe left or right to move between apps.
I am watching youtubes daily at lunch (with my friend who is going to Haiti) to learn Creole. 
–Still looking to learn:  Working my way through:  http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPad_User_Guide.pdf

#4 – I am surfing faster and in a variety of places
When I recently moved…the question I did not ask was “how is the internet”?  and because of where my new rental is….DSL is the only option (wired in).  So having the Data plan, I am not searching the internet at speeds back up to normal (when I was in my apartment.)  And I also now have a “free” hotspot.  Which I look forward to sharing with others at the next conference.
Just last weekend, I became lost while out driving.  I was able to fire up the ipad and find my destination quickly.  Perhaps not a big “aha” to those of you who have a smart phone…but since I don’t, this really was very very helpful!
–Still looking to learn:  I am looking forward to seeing how this all plays at ISTE.

#5 – I have become data conscious.
With great power (2gb of data) comes great responsibility (oh no, I don’t want to be fined if I go over my data plan.)
And I have become a GRINCH at watching my data.  And also a wifi bandit whenever I can turn off my cellular plan to use someone else’s wifi.
I don’t like this.  I personally believe this “data plan” is a catch 22 that we will forever been entangled within.   I cannot knock it 100% because it is coming in handy – but I do not like the constant nudge of data-overuse that lurks now in the back of my mind.
–Still looking to learn:  Exactly how data is measured.  I think the more we question, the more the companies are going to have to reveal that this is a scheme where they are winning – for now.

None of these items listed above have changed my life, but to be honest, they have impacted my life (or at least bumped it a bit!)

I must admit I have yet to add too many productivity tools to it yet – other than reading materials.

The apps I use daily are:
Just1Word  (http://www.just1word.com/mobile/about/ipad_bible_app)
Zite  (http://zite.com/)
Hanging With Friends  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hanging-with-friends-free/id440786655?mt=8)
Draw Something  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/draw-something-free/id488628250?mt=8)
Words W/ Friends  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/words-with-friends-free/id321916506?mt=8)
App Advice  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/appadvice/id364906378?mt=8)
Twitter  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/twitter/id333903271?mt=8)

I have downloaded:
Skype  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype/id304878510?mt=8)
Drop Box  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dropbox/id327630330?mt=8)
Evernote  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote/id281796108?mt=8)
Pinboard  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pinboard/id301247069?mt=8)
Kindle  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kindle-read-books-magazines/id302584613?mt=8)
US Geography by Discovery Education  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/u.s.-geography-by-discovery/id374922243?mt=8)

And the games I downloaded:
Plants & Zombies  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/plants-vs.-zombies/id350642635?mt=8)
Five-O Lite  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/five-o-lite/id408157861?mt=8)
Banagrams  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bananagrams/id329521810?mt=8)
Seuss Band  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dr.-seuss-band/id474940131?mt=8)
Hexbee  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hexbee/id446822719?mt=8)

Is it a keeper??  Oh yes.   Is it a life-changer?  I think not – not in a huge way.  But it is a life-shifter.

Time will tell in the next months how exactly this gets involved in my life – but having only owned it for 14 days….yep, I can see a difference.

I would like to invite you to share with  me what apps are working for you – and how.   As part of the “stipulation”, I will be posting occasionally on what I am learning, how I am learning, and what I am doing with that learning.

Jen

~~~~~

I enjoy friends.   As I was growing up — I went to a summer camp one time a year — and looked forward to seeing friends — good friends — which I only spent time with during that week.    The concentration of conversations during a “camp” or “conference” venue is quite intense and often exceeds those conversations you have with people you see daily.   In my youth — I very much looked forward to camp—-and now I look forward to conferences.

As I mentioned in a previous post — my administrator — @camstevens76 came along with me to CUE and while in the newbie session….we received a text from @octechguy and he met up with us and we wandered over to meet @hdiblasi .   This was an especially fun moment for me because Alan and Howie are BOTH Disney “FAN”atics — and it was great to see them chat about all things disney!!

During my time at the Blogger’s Cafe — it was good to catch up with  @stevehargadon and @adinasullivan and @bbarreda and James Kosako — and even nicer to head across to street for a lingering lunch.  And as always — the conversation was much better than the food.

Finally — after much much much wandering and looking — I ran into @rushtonh — Rushton is a good guy — one of the best.  Very wonderful keynote presenter but (when you get a chance) talk with him about things other than tech.   He has grand stories…..and he is also a great listener!!   About this time I also  finally connected with @dgrice and plans for dinner began to formulate.

Unfortunately, there were 2 places I should have been at the same time.   The DEN group was having a dinner as well as the Google Certified Teacher Group.   I am a member of both — but still feel I am on the fringe rather than involved — but I also knew I could not do both events since they were sit down dinners.   So, Barbara and I decided to head over to the GCT dinner.

What fun!!  I sat with Barbara and @bbray and @pronovost (Cue’s emerging teacher of the year) and nearby to @alicekeeler and was within viewing of @markwagner and @k_shelton  and @dowbiggen and so many other nice people.   My favorite part of the evening was the game where we had to match what people had done with who the person was.   I don’t remember them all — but wow…..some people REALLY REALLY have some interesting stories to tell.  (I will see if I can find the list of events!)

–On a quick sidenote — I am going to do all I can to introduce @pronovost and @ryanbretag if I ever have a chance to get them F2F.  I know I can introduce them virtually — but wow, I look forward to the day these two meet.  Both are fantastic guys — at the beginning of their career (unlike so many of us who are rounding our last corner!) — and both awesome thinkers!  For some reason — I see a book in their future.

But I digress –
Onward to the next day — many many more friends to meet –
Was on a panel with John, Barbara, and @garystager — (should be a blog post all on its own) and also shared at the Google Certified session –  but biggest part of the day was the DEN event in the evening.   Got to laugh with Janita and Genny and @TechyNana and so many other DEN pals.  I very much enjoyed bingo, the SHAMROCK cookies, and trying to bounce balls to make tic tac toe.  Did not last for the full evening but very much enjoy the DEN bunch.

Saturday was my day of sitting with friends at sessions.   — I ran into my good friend – RandyM from LABaptist — sat with @brentcoley in the iMovie session (my favorite session of CUE 2012), chatted a bit with Laura Gallagher from Inspiration, and met Jonathan while eating lunch.  (looking for Jonathan’s twitter id still!)

Jonathan was the unexpected moment of CUE 2012.  Poor guy — he is just sitting there eating lunch and I noticed his name tag said speaker — so I said “so Jonathan — what are you speaking on” and put him on the spot.  But he was gracious and shared with both Adina and I all about his session and his enjoyment of literature.  Found out later we follow each other on twitter.    Very very nice guy — articulate, pleasant, filled with good ideas……and once I remember his twitter name — please follow him on twitter.

I ended CUE 2012 with driving @rushtonh to the airport in Ontario.  I so enjoy chatting with him — and he was so tired but so gracious!!   Hope hope hope to see him again soon.

There were many many things I learned while at CUE — but always so happy to meet up with friends!
Yep, I am.

For the first time, in my 17 years of being in the “ed-tech” world….an admin came along with me to a conference — and to me THAT WAS A BIG DEAL.

I met up with Cam at the registration area and then we headed over the newbie session.   Pretty much everything they told him, I had already shared between the registration area and the session — but it was still good information.  Plus, we got to meet some other newbies!

From there, we went over to the Technology Implementation Session — but while we were waiting for the session, we had our own personal little session about the climate on our campus — and caught up on some things that you seem to forget to talk about during busy daily schedules.

10 minutes before the session began, the speakers informed the group that it was going to centered around a certain product rather than a general session — so we went over to Social Networking.  The session turned out to be more of a “look what they are doing wrong” rather than positive….but it was also a bit eye-opening to the very interesting ways kids are using technology — some a bit frightening.  But ever so often, you have your eyes re-opened and both Cam and I thought there was quality information just perhaps a bit too much “ohhh scary” content.

Cam and I then went to 2 different sessions.  He went to a class with Glen Warren on Edmodo and I journeyed over to the Blogger’s Cafe.  Edmodo IS something that a few teachers are using on campus and it was good that Cam is researching it out a bit more.   (I am sure he will post his thoughts soon!)

Then we met up for lunch with Barbara Barreda, Steve Hargadon, James Kosako, and myself — and it was very good to introduce Cameron to some new friends/colleagues/peers!

After lunch, we wandered the exhibit halls and then Cam had to leave for home.

Biggest take-aways from the day:
a.  Your admin needs to go with you to conferences.  You need to see the conference through their eyes and they need to see it through yours.    And then you need to recap.
b.  The best conversations still seem to happen during the 10 minutes before and after a session….plus meals.
c.  It is good to stop and listen to the questions your admin is asking at sessions – and then listen to the answers others give.

Cam left so quickly that I wasn’t quite sure if he was fleeing (grins) or just in a hurry to get home – but then I saw his tweet:

and I guess all is well!!   (you can follow Cam on twitter at:  https://twitter.com/#!/camstevens76 and his blog at http://camstevens76.wordpress.com/.