Keynote speaker Miguel Guhlin made the comment today that attending these types of conferences was often not so much about the workshops and geekware as the connections and conversations (see Pearl and I conversing on Miguels' blog) For me this characterised the day. OK, I admit, I learnt a couple of new geeky things (thanks Miguel and Nicki) but the conversations and sharing of ideas with a group of people who seem to me to be increasingly passionate has left an impression. A slide from Miguel's keynote challenges us to "harness the new collaboration or perish" ...my experiences reinforce that these opportunities to collaborate are even more valuable now that I know they can also be continued virtually through these Web2.0 technologies.
I was challenged in my thinking more than once today...I don't have answers or alot of this clearly thought through in my mind yet...but I know that's OK! Brendon and Katya from Milford School were both there too and I am looking forward to hearing their response. So if you're reading this now and I connected with with you today...thank you.
Following TUANZ I raced back up to Epsom campus where the eLearning Team hosted an info evening for schools who are considering applying for 2008-10 ICTPD funding. Again more great conversations and some re-connecting.
Liz Waterfall from Glendowie College and Paul Manson from St Josephs, Takapuna shared with the group the impact of this programme on their teachers. I encouraged Liz to start blogging after listening to her story of the ClearLinks cluster, some wonderful analogies, valuable advice and encouragement. Finally Paul's passion and belief in learning seemed to sum up the collective spirit of everyone I connected with today when he described the differentiated approach to learning at St Joseph's...
"When we learn about autumn we don't just want to learn about it in science...we want to read autumn, listen to autumn, dance autumn and paint autumn!"
Fiona, you're awesome! I loved your enthusiasm and excitement!!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what you're up to in NZ.
Fond regards,
Miguel Guhlin
Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net
http://www.mguhlin.net
Fiona,
ReplyDeleteI have been following you sent your email just a few days before I came to TUANZ. I hate that I missed meeting you-- but I understand Miguel did an awesome job.
I would be interested though in a possible collaboration since we are both at the higher ed level.
Let me know if you are interested.
I will be in touch.
Hi Fiona,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the props! I've spent far too much time this weekend playing with some really exciting new blogging tools! I'll let you know when it's all ready for the testing phase ... ;)
Great to have another blog to check out Fiona.
ReplyDeleteI reckon no one does the "connect" message better than E M Forster
"Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will die."
We live in too many fragments in our day jobs