As I have written before, I truly believe in the value of having teachers and other learning leaders connect. Part of that connecting can (must) be virtual, through blogs, twitter, ning et al, but I also know the power of the even more personal connection.
I have seen how it has affected my ideas about teaching and learning to have had the opportunity to attend a couple of events. This has also benefited my colleagues and the teachers at my school, as I have leveraged the personal and professional relationships that I have developed with people from around the world into powerful, student-based collaborative learning experiences.
Now comes this invitation from the folks at Learning 2.008 conference, scheduled for Shanghai in September.
Dear Jeff
We would like to inform you that you are invited to present at this years learning2.008 conference on “10 (not-so) Secrets About Wikis and Around the Corner – Across The Globe; Making Global Connections with Your Class
Please register at http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=177180
Please use the unique presenter discount code xxxxxxxx to get your $50.00 discount
The Ning site is constantly being updated so please check it regularly.
If you have any questions or problems please contact us
The Presenter Team
Learning2.008
Simon and Steve
I have been talking to Jeff Utecht at Shanghai American School about this conference and other professional opportunities for a few months now. With the edustar-studded lineup (check out the website for details!) who have been invited as feature presenters and the visionary offerings from many of the primary participants from Asia, this conference has the potential to be THE event of
the next year (including NECC).
On top of that, Asia is just such an exciting opportunity for our students. These are their workmates of the future. We need our students to be knowledgeable about the diverse cultural and geographic elements of this emerging regional giant in order to help them prepare to work, play and learn in the 21st century global community. The opportunities to leverage technology to connect our classrooms must not be missed.
The only problem is that it involves a significant outlay of cash (over $3000). Unfortunately, all potential funding sources seem to be running dry this year and, while I know how valuable these investments are to shifting the conversations and narratives about learning, with one kid just graduated from university last week, two kids in college and another just a couple years away, the whole shot just doesn’t fit into my family budget.
My boss agrees with the value of connection. His support in sending eight NMS staff to Memphis for the Laptop Institute in July speaks to his understanding about nurturing leadership and vision within our schools. The unfortunate part is that, even as we hit the 21st century – with all it’s challenges and opportunities – our system still hasn’t shifted to value the power of the global community as a learning environment and placed some resources in that vein.
We’ll see how my requests for support pan out.
tags: technology, education, whipple, learning2008
Jeff! Congrats on the invitation! How cool to see a Canadian recognized and offered this invitation! I hope you can find the funding to go off to this exciting opportunity…. Best wishes, Sharon