Edcamp Excitement

Just a quick post about my experience today at my first unconference, ConnectED Leaders sponsored by ConnectED Learning. It was a short, half-day conference, which was actually the perfect length for me today (middle of the summer). Three sessions at 45 minutes each were enough to get into some interesting conversations, share some of my own insights and projects, pick up some ideas, and leave energized for my summer projects and next school year.

The unconference layout had me a little nervous. I felt like I should put something up on the board, but two things held me back. One, my brain just wasn't working - I couldn't come up with anything to discuss. Sad, I know. Two, there were already great session topics up and I didn't want to miss any of them, especially when I saw the names of some of the facilitators, who I had seen present at METC and/or followed on Twitter.

One of the few rules of an unconference is the rule of two feet - if you don't like a session you are in, get up and leave. Well, I followed that rule today. Twice. It wasn't that I didn't like the sessions; they just weren't as relevant to me as I had hoped... and having my TweetDeck open showed me that a more beneficial conversation for me might be going on down the hall. It felt awkward, getting up and walking out of a discussion that only had a dozen or so people in it, but in both instances, I'm glad I did. Grateful that they put that rule out there from the get-go. I knew the facilitators wouldn't be offended.

And the networking! I left there with a bunch of new Twitter followers (@mfankopedia), even more names to look up and follow, and an anticipation of the next time I get to interact with these people in person again. I joined an entire new professional learning network that can last long past 11:30 this morning. One of my new Twitter friends got me excited for EdCampSEMO this fall - it's only an hour away, so I might actually swing it. Missouri Summit on Google Education is also on my calendar for the fall, and EdCampSTL and METC are definite for me next February. Until then, there's Twitter and #moedchat, #connectedleader, and various other hashtags to follow, along with the new Twitter handles I'm following.

Speaking of people I follow, remember Richard Byrne (@rmbyrne), my technology blogging guru at Free Tech for Teachers? Tonight he started following me on Twitter. The tech-nerd in me feels like I just made friends with a big celebrity. That notification in my inbox (and seeing "follows you" on his profile) was kind of like an "I made it" moment for me in ed tech.

And that's it, maybe. Today helped me dive into my new professional learning network/community. Much needed, since I'm the only person in my position at CJ. Thrilled to have this community and ready to get more active in it.

Webinars Keep Coming...

Nothing makes my Monday morning like opening my email to find a listing for two awesome sounding webinars coming up in the next few weeks.  Had to share them here, both so anyone reading can register (and join live or view in the archive), but also so I remember to go back to them and watch them.  Since both are on Tuesdays at 4pm, chances are I won't be able to join live at home without combating the Frozen soundtrack and my one year old trying to tackle my screen...

Both webinars are presented by edWeb.net, a professional learning community open to anyone.

What is SAMR? Rethink the way you plan with ed tech...

WHAT: Creating Lessons through the SAMR Model

WHEN:  Tuesday, April 15, 2014 - 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Eastern Time) 

ABOUT: 
Presented by Joe Dale, independent languages consultant from the UK

In our community’s first webinar, independent languages consultant Joe Dale will look at the SAMR model developed by Dr. Rubin Puentedura, which provides a useful framework for helping teachers rethink how they design activities that involve the use of technology. Joe will draw on practical examples to explore the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and finally Redefinition stages of the model, suggesting how previously inconceivable tasks can be achieved which transform learning and allow educators to ‘teach above the line.’  Planning lessons which are relevant and challenge 21st century learners as well as engage and stretch them is essential, and the SAMR model is a helpful guide to aid this process. Joe will also touch upon the importance of having a growth mindset when approaching the use of technology in the classroom as well as nurturing a personal learning network to facilitate global collaboration. If you like the idea of turning an original idea on its head and coming up with something which is far more engaging, relevant and important to young people, join Joe on April 15th to learn about creating lessons through the SAMR model.

Sponsored by ClassFlow

Get online and expand your PLC...

WHAT: Being a Connected Educator

WHEN:  Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Eastern Time) 

ABOUT: 

Presented by Tom Whitby, retired secondary teacher and adjunct professor; with Steven Anderson, Content and Relationship Evangelist for Promethean

“I have learned more being on Twitter in six months than in two years of graduate school.”

“The connections I’ve made because I am online are crucial to my success in the classroom.” 

“I don’t know what I did before I was connected!”

These are statements we hear every day. Educators from around the world, marveling at the fact that they are connected and those connections carry a great deal of value to them professionally and personally. 

Historically, collaboration took place when two or more individuals occupied the same space at the same time and exchanged and revised ideas. It has often been said, "In a room full of smart people, the smartest person is the room"! With the technology at hand today, there are no boundaries of time or space with collaboration. The ability we have to connect and work collaboratively, anytime from anywhere, has moved collaboration from a limited mode of learning to a more prominent position. The technology we use for connecting people digitally and virtually through various applications for connections has given collaboration through technology the label of “connected learning”.

Join us for our community’s first webinar, when Tom Whitby and Steven Anderson - two of the most prolific users of social media - will discuss what it means to be a connected educator and how being connected empowers educators to do more and learn more.

Sponsored by ClassFlow

Decide to register for either of these? Comment below to let me know, then revisit this post to comment with your thoughts on the experience!

Webinars on the Way - sign up for more free PD

Webinars really can provide us with great professional development for free and without leaving the comfort of our homes and/or desks.  Often they take on a very informal atmosphere because they are done via a social forum like Google Hangouts.  When we participate in them live, we can contribute to the conversation via chat, video conferencing, etc., depending on the format and venue.  

As a follow-up to my last post listing archived and on-demand webinars to explore, I thought I'd link you to some upcoming webinars that might be of interest. All of these are free, but do require registration.

EdWeb.net is a "professional social and learning network" for educators and is free for anyone to join.  Within the network, there are over 1,000 "communities", or groups, to join as global PLCs. Something to consider joining for professional development and networking.  Or if you don't want to register for yet another group, you can follow the network on Twitter @edwebnet.

The group provides a calendar of upcoming webinars here, sometimes providing multiple a day.  I specifically thought these might be interesting...

Get your students involved with this session!

WHAT: Interview with a Hero: Lessons of Personal Bravery and Self-Sacrifice

WHEN:  Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Eastern Time)

ABOUT: 

Hosted by Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

In this special webinar presented by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, teachers are invited to bring their students and colleagues to hear the personal story of the Medal of Honor Recipient, Harold “Hal” A. Fritz, who received his Medal for his actions near Quan Loi, South Vietnam in 1969, during the Vietnam War.  Hal Fritz is currently the President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, which is comprised solely of the 75 living Medal of Honor Recipients.

During this webinar, Hal Fritz will discuss what the Medal of Honor means to him and how it has affected his life.  He will take questions about his experiences and will share his thoughts on character, commitment, and bravery.  The program will be moderated by Noel Wall, Director of Education at the Medal of Honor Foundation.

This webinar is part of a series of webinars on the free Character Development Program, based on the Medal of Honor Recipients' stories, which includes 50+ lesson plans and 100 video vignettes on aspects of courage, integrity, sacrifice, commitment, citizenship, and patriotism.

Webinar attendees will receive details on how to access the full free Character Development Program, available online and on DVD.

Not flipping? Have your students create the videos!

WHAT: Video Creations as Demonstrations of Learning

WHEN: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) 

ABOUT: Presented by Richard Byrne, Digital Learning Consultant - Free Technology for Teachers

Between cell phones and tablets, it seems that nearly every student has access to a video camera today. In our community’s next webinar, Digital Learning Consultant Richard Byrne will share some of the ways that your students can demonstrate knowledge of content and process - through the use of free video creation apps and web tools. From short, one-take video reports to longer documentary videos to bringing creative writing to life, there is something here that all teachers can put to use in their classrooms. Here are some of the topics Richard will explore during this session:

• Flipping the flipped classroom by having students create short video lessons for each other
• How to video blog with YouTube and Blogger and why you might want your students to blog this way
• Adding videos to augmented reality experiences
• Creating animated videos to bring students' writing to life
• Sharing students’ video projects while being mindful of privacy concerns

Join us on March 26 to learn ways to use video creations as demonstrations of learning with your students.

 EdTechTeacher.org is a professional development group with a goal of helping "teachers and schools leverage technology to create student-centered, inquiry-based learning environments". You can sign up for a monthly newsletter from the group, or visit the Tools for Teachers page to get resources. The group seems to specialize in webinars, some of which I linked in my previous post.  

Here are two upcoming webinars that sound relevant to CJ teachers.  The links provided take you to the list of webinars and registration is available on that page...

Get collaborating and using the cloud...

WHAT: All Things Google!

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2014 - 7:00pm EST

ABOUT: 

Google Apps, Chrome, and Drive - use one of these Google tools, or all of them, and endless possibilities open up for creation, communication, and collaboration. In just one hour, we'll give you a speed tour through "all things Google" to give you some ideas for how you can bring these tools into your classroom.

Gaming in education - it's a thing.

WHAT: Games Are Good for You! What Games Teach Us About STEM & Learning

WHEN: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 7:00pm EST

ABOUT: 

What can we learn from games? Come explore the many ways that you can use game dynamics and gamification to increase learning and boost engagement in your STEM classroom. Discover how popular games such as Minecraft and SimCity provide playgrounds for creativity and robust opportunities for collaboration and critical thinking in the classroom. Finally, learn about the many opportunities for coding and computer science that are embedded in the process of having kids designing and programming games as a demonstration of their learning.

Sign up for one of these webinars? Get something good from it? Comment below to let us know!