NECC Goals Part II

Posted on July 5, 2008 by Nedra Isenberg

Well, NECC has come and gone so it’s time to reflect on how well I did meeting my goals.

I’m hoping to connect with other elementary tech teachers. As I wondered through the poster sessions I chatted with many presenters and handed out my card to quite a few of them and invited them to join the Ning. I had to explain what a ning is and also attempted to explain Twitter to quite a few people. Hopefully, some of the teachers will join us.
I’m looking for new meaningful projects to try in the lab. As I think back I don’t have any ideas that pop right out but I need time to look back at notes and ideas I picked up from all the sessions. I definitely want to look into iearn and find a way to do some collaboration with other schools. Digging through all the information won’t happen until I get home around the middle of the month.
I’m looking for some strategies to try and get teachers to try some web 2.0 tools and using tech more in general. Bud Hunt shared an outline and ideas on doing a Cyber Camp with teachers. I may try to adapt these ideas into a year long project with a group of teachers at my school.
Since I just won a grant for a Smartboard I’ll be looking for ways to use the board in a truly interactive way for teacher and student. I did attend one session on using the board that was helpful. I also picked up a card from a teacher that has a wiki full of links for the SMARTBoard so when I have time I’m sure I’ll be finding some good ideas.
I’m buying my first ipod this weekend. I’m calling it a school related expense. I want to learn how they work and while at NECC I’m hoping to learn about ways teachers are using them in the elementary classroom. I’m thinking that might be my next grant writing project. I didn’t find anything on this topic.
I’m just learning about Podcast. I want to learn more about how people are using them in a lab and classroom setting. I’ve gotten some good ideas from the Elementary Tech Teacher Ning and I hope to be able to add more ideas there. I attended one session on Podcasting but it was much more advanced. The elementary school actually has a broadcast studio and does a weekly show featuring a different class each week. It was a great looking project but a little advanced.
Another goal I didn’t list here was to be more outgoing. I did pretty good on this goal. I began many conversations and enjoyed meeting people from all over. I went into the Blogger’s Cafe and met some people as well. I introduced myself to Darren Draper since I had attended his OpenPD class, he then invited me to have a seat and join the discussion they’d be having regarding Twitter and blogs. I did and in doing so was able to put a face with many of the names of the people I follow on Twitter. It was an interesting experience.

Well, time to get back to vacation. I’ll be blogging more about my first NECC experience as time allows as I travel back to NY.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: iearn

« First Impressions at NECC Passionate People Along Route 66 »

Susie Klausmeyer, on July 6th, 2008 at 8:32 am Said:

Thanks for your impressions, Nedra. I wanted to be there last week as I was reading blog posts, online streaming, etc. I know I have a long way to go in learning about web 2.0 and incorporating it into my classes. I hope to learn more in the upcoming year and, maybe, next year I’ll get to go to NECC.

Mrs. Coggin, on July 7th, 2008 at 10:31 am Said:

So glad you posted a follow up to your goals. I am interested in hearing more about the “Cyber Camp” and also the wiki with the SMARTboard resources. I hope to attend next year so I can make some face-to-face connections!

Chad L., on July 8th, 2008 at 11:30 am Said:

When you get the info Bud shared, can you send it my way? Thanks.

Nedra Isenberg, on July 8th, 2008 at 8:22 pm Said:

Hello Everybody,
Thanks for stopping by. We’re getting the oil changed in our car and luckily I can access the internet here! The small hotels we’ve been staying in advertise free internet but so far they haven’t worked. I’ll post more about Bud’s presentation later but for now here are links to his wiki and blog.