Tag: necc05

First, I would like to announce that I have won a prize at the “end of conference give away.” Year after year I have attended this event without a reinforcement. I wondered about practice – bribing folks to stay to the end in hopes of winning a computer, air fare to next year’s even, etc. If one believes in the principle of thin schedules of reinforcement one might predict I will attend the give away again next year. I feel a certain sense of loss – I can not longer complain about the probability of attending year after year without a prize. Now, I must attend many more years to get back to the basic law of averages. Oh – my prize? A 64 flash drive. I still have mixed feelings about the strategy – my preference would be for a few larger prizes (rather than many small prizes) and more time spend on a presentation of some type.

Latest episode in the web quest saga?

Bernie Dodge presented on new developments in the world of web quests – how to make development easier so more teachers use them. The grand strategy is a new web site called “Web Garden” that will be available Sept. 1. It is basically a scaffolded online development site which includes the opportunity to export the code for the finished product and the opportunity to load a webquest developed by another author and made modifications.

Watch http://webquest.sdsu.edu/ for release information.

Bernie also took the time to participate in a podcast that provides additional information on this venture.

Most of today involved Cindy’s poster session. We spent about three hours demonstrating the web site and projects associated with her Teaching American History Grant.

The editor we worked with on our original book made the trip from New York to see us and we spent most of the rest of the day discussing the projects we all are now working on.

We did make it to the exhibits and I will describe a few items that caught my attention tomorrow.

Before some news of the day (as it relates to NECC), I have to give Apple a plug. Apple upgraded iTunes (cross platform) and included a system for downloading and then playing podcasts (see image below and note NECC podcast link).

It is now extremely convenient to download podcasts and play them on your computer (or your iPod). Will this have an impact on education? I think it is hard to say at present. I think this will be a more innovative technology than most my assume (note the potential to use images in the same manner as the artwork that comes with downloaded music) and it will be a big deal. This is not the same as predicting schools will find useful applications.

The Old Guys (Gender Neutral) Can Still Teach You Something

I attended a research session today that appears to reach a conclusion that may run contrary to an incorrect conclusion some may be reaching. In the day of “millenials”, thumb typers, gamers, and school programs that propose students should teach administrators how to use technology, it turns out that students familiar with technology appear to become more versatile and creative users when exposed to a school environment that integrates technology. In other words, educational experiences with technology improve the “skills” of young, but experienced users of technology. Andrew Gersick presented impressions based on a two-year observation of technology savvy 7th graders in either a “deeply integrated” or “superficially integrated” school.

Findings from observations and interviews were summarized by reference to three continua:
– resourceful —- restricted
– author — consumer
– community of practice — isolated

Students educated in the school with more deeply integrated technology were more likely to make use of technology in ways described as resourceful, as authors, and within communities of practice.

Exploring a variety of educational uses of technology helps frequent users of technology apply technology with greater versatility and creativity (my terms).

See the paper at the following link:

The Ecology of Children???s Computing: The Home-School-Community Connection

We had an opportunity to talk with people we know from eZedia. Improvements in eZedia products are planned for the coming year and may involve issues related to digital rights management. Given the integration of eZedia within Safari Video Networks makes sense. If this company can find a way to allow students to create products that make use of bits of video from the providers Safari can access, this would be very cool.

Looks like the techies attending NECC will be using the event to give educators a taste of blogs, podcasting, etc. It is a great way for those offering content and those willing to serve as an audience to experiment a little.

One podcasting venture will come from a small group of ADEs (Apple Distinguished Educators) – try ADE Postcast for a preview.

If you are unfamiliar with the iTunes podcast option, you should take the time to learn how iTunes now makes major podcasts available to any interested listener (Washington Post article).

NECC, my personal favorite computer conference, is coming up in a little over a week. A group of bloggers have been organized to describe the event. (NECC bloggers). This should be a good resource for those who cannot attend the event or who do attend but are interested in other perspectives.

I have posted from NECC for the past three conferences and I will again add comments to this blog from the conference.