Thanks to Joyce Valenza for setting this up after the edubloggercon in Atlanta. What a great idea - and a great website. http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=2606

What I think is especially interesting about this application are the comments from the fourth person down the left side of that image. He was following the conference from Sydney Australia and he found this and left a comment. Let that idea roll around in your head a moment. Someone from around the world following the conference and being able to participate in it to some extent. I'm sure he was reading blog posts that had been tagged with necc2007 or necc07 or even the specific tags for some sessions he was interested in. We even had people sitting in the edubloggercon sessions who were skyping with others from... who-knows-where... and those folks were able to hear the conversations, too. Those folks could have been around the world, as well. Does that make you shake your head in wonder?

There are many teachers who would have NO IDEA that these sort of capabilities exist. For them the web is still a web page that you find when searching Google. Let's make sure that we help them to see what the web has become and help them to understand what it can now do for their classes.

Am I the last one to notice the new features in Google Docs? If so, then for those who only read my little blog, here are some of the new features in Google Docs.

First - FOLDERS!! I always mention the inability to save files into folders as being a weakness of Google Docs when I show it and ThinkFree together. Now you CAN create folders and save files into them. Excellent!

Then, they've made the invitation to collaborate a lot easier. That, too, was long due. It's very nice, now.

And, they've added keyboard shortcuts! Many of the keyboard shortcuts that work in that Microsoft program now work in here, as well. Wonderful!

Check out the list of the spreadsheet enhancements, and read more about these new features here: http://www.google.com/google-d-s/whatsnew.html

FOLDERS! oh BOY!!

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/140

This looks like a VERY interesting one for those of us who love data and are fascinated by trends, etc. Here, Hans Rosling talks about the end of poverty. I LOVE the written teaser for the movei:

"...He shows us the next generation of his Trendalyzer software -- which analyzes and displays data in amazingly accessible ways, allowing people to see patterns previously hidden behind mountains of stats. (Ten days later, he announced a deal with Google to acquire the software.) He also demos Dollar Street, a program that lets you peer in the windows of typical families worldwide living at different income levels. Be sure to watch straight through to the (literally) jaw-dropping finale."

I just clicked the link to download it to my iTunes to watch later. LUV this Mac!!

Karl Fisch, Anne Smith, Brian Hatack, Brad Meyer, Barbara Stalhut

The session started with a powerpoint of quotes form students and teachers. Very good. The one I especially liked from a student was something like this, "I like being graded on what I've learned instead of just for showing up for class. It's awful to get graded for just memorizing the seating chart." :-)

http://www.lps.k12.co.us/schools/arapahoe/21c/necc2007.html
- You MUST take a look at the resources and samples they've got in here!

http://learningandlaptops.blogspot.com/

Heart of the change in his school is staff development. They meet for three hours regularly. One third is on learning theory. One third on pedagogy. They also use blogs for teachers to use to discuss issues. A final third on tools like del.icio.us, blogger, etc. VERY successful professional development program.

First change - change the way the class looks. They want to create a professinal learning environment. Change from deaks to tables and chairs on wheels. Changed the posters from fun to inspirational. And, they posted classroom expectations.

The first thing they noticed was engagement - especially in the faculty rooms! They had 6 purposes in blogging, 1) thefischbowl, 2) in depth discussion about government topics, etc. 3) discussions amog kids - and other kids blogging on the outside. And, of course, I can't keep up. :-(

Start with a core group of teachers. Those who areinvolved are talking at lunch time and those who are NOT involved hear the positive discussion and WANT to join. Teachers need to TALK about this process. Kids are saying (in effect), "I don't want to be in so-and-so's classroom since they don't use the technologies." So, the teachers who aren't using it are being pressured to get started.

Also, the kids see the teachers as learners, as well. Important vision for students.

Collaboration - http://burrel9english.wikispaces.com

"Being a reflective teacher is a very important part of the process." Brian has noticed that kids are doing an amazing job of being reflective on their own positions and writings.

http://smithenglish9.blogspot.com/2006/09/this-i-believe.html

The kids wrote the first four chapters of an astronomy book on a wiki!

Online peer editing - reviewing toolbar in word. Using a wiki. Editing each other's work. Chifting chairs - musical shifting seats - then sit down at a computer and edit.

What matters. "Build a multimendia presentation about what matters about what you've learned this year." WOW!!! LOVE this idea!!!

Check out the Mockumentaries on the top link.

Scribe posts - great idea!

What a (seemingly) wonderful atmosphere they have. Staff development was very well received - even those who didn't participate talk about it.

Some discussion about differentce between cooperative learning vs collaboration. Not sure I yet understand the difference.

A quote I like. The tech committee said that they weren't going to give Arapahoe any more equipment since they've got so much already. Anne's reply, "Oh really? You're going to put the ceiling above the spotlights? Why not give us more to see where we can go with it?" Liked that mental image - ceiling above the spotlight.

Very nice discussions! I LOVE this conference!!

Note: