As you know, I am a Christian…………smiles, who uses Tech……..who loves Tech………and in the last two days, I have been at the yearly Association of Christian Schools International convention in Anaheim, CA. Out of 25,000 attendees about 250 of them will venture into the TECH area. And actually — those numbers have gone up in the last few years.
For the last 9 years, our small tech team has been trying to get a “tech brunch” at the convention and this year, we finally achieved our goal.
For 2 hours — between 10:15 and 12:15…….46 people paid $20 to come sit at 5 round tables, talk with 9 other people they may or may not have known, eat quiche, and hear Gail Lovely. And it was amazing.
As the hostess, I opened with a little story of my first “WOW” of tech…..and then invited each of the tables to share with each other. Then I shared a funny story and invited people to stand up and share with the group. So we went from small sharing, to large sharing, and then we fine tuned it down to Gail.
Before the brunch, Gail and I had spoken about what topics she might wish to bystep — very conservative group. But we did not mention programs at all — just topics.
So, when Gail, while working through her top 10 list, got to YouTube………you could almost feel the group cross their arms, and back up. (Gail will agree to this!) It was like suddenly a “NOPE NOPE NOPE” mentality went up.
But what happened next was probably the most impactful MOMENT I have ever seen by ANY keynote. Gail did NOT shove YouTube down their throats, did not say YOU NEED TO BE USING THIS, instead………she started a video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS_zkYzIlRo) but basically it was about an older gentleman who had gone up into the attic to find his wife’s photo. Instead he found an old journal of his son’s……he took this journal downstairs……where he found his own journal……… (I am simplifying this majorly)…….and I am not going to ruin the end. BUT………….as the video ended and some of the attendees wiped tears from their eyes……Gail’s comment was “there is good on YouTube”.
And though you know that……..and though I know that………suddenly at least 15 attendees who had always said “NO” to youtube were suddenly thinking perhaps that they needed to give YouTube a second chance.
And that — to me was remarkable.
She didn’t pound, she didn’t humiliate, she didn’t threaten, she didn’t chastise, she didn’t urge………..she just let the opportunity speak for itself………..and it made a difference.
Excellent Gail………..Thanks for being our keynote. You opened some doors for teachers today that WILL have an impact on their classrooms starting next week.
Here is Gail’s handout: http://lovelyresources.googlepages.com/ttoft
Thanks for this encouraging post. I presented at an ACSI convention a few years ago and the abundance of overhead projectors that were used by presenters was a bit jarring to someone who usually only attends tech conferences!! You had to bring your own projector and asking for internet was like asking for the moon. Bless you for taking steps and the risk to encourage technology into the conference!
@karen
Yes, there were PLENTY of overheads still……….and only 30 internet drops available…………but we had a good time.
I think the class I enjoyed the most (sharing at) was Kidspiration — where I didn’t highlight the software, instead we talked about using it in Literature, Math, Science, History — and as we shared ideas…….you could see lightbulbs popping.
We also had a big laugh when I was talking about using the “Teacher” computer for a group activity (especially when they don’t have a projector)…..and then I said “it is the teacher computer so you can do with it what you wish” and there was a big chuckle and lots of nods.
One thing I truly love about the ACSI convention is that it is not HIGH TECH and not there to show off what is the biggest and best……instead, it is basics, still very baby steps, but people eager to learn…….just not sure how to. And for many, we see each other for 2 days and then not again for a year.
We have remedied that by making a group at Classroom 2.0 called Faith Based Schools (grins, I know….I have thrown them into the masses!!) and hopefully they will learn there……and share as well.
It was fun.
Thanks for your post.
Quiche? Was it spinach – cheese Quiche? I love Quiche – with no meat. I had triple the numbers I had last year – I was the only “tech-friendly” person I heard/found at ours. Quiche, huh? Gee, I wish I had Quiche……………
Jen,
Thanks for the encouragement and the generous post here about the Tech Brunch at ACSI. I was honored to have been invited and touched that you chose to write about it.
I am glad that the “calculated risk” I chose to take at the brunch was noticed by you and that it has “paid off”. I so often find that walls have been built where a look through a window may have been sufficient to open eyes and minds…
Thanks again for all you do to encourage others to try new things for the betterment of learning!
Gail