Short trip and a short conference. The Hong Kong conference was quite different from the one I went to earlier this school year in Shanghai. In Hong Kong there was a lot of sitting and receiving and the structure did not allow much time for talking and giving. I learnt few new things although I found that some sessions reminded of things I used to do and need to once again make part of my routine.
I did like the keynotes. I found listening to Heppel’s experiences and Warlick’s folksy storytelling style equally enjoyable. Over the past few conferences in terms of learning, however, the time spent in small discussion groups was the most interesting. The conversations in these groups, created formally through unconferences or informally just standing and talking, have been the most useful professionally.
I also find that the smaller the group the easier it is for me to participate as even with unconferences larger groups feel more like forums dominated by a few with a lot to say.
So after listening and talking with others I think:
- I need to more critically examine what I am doing. I guess this might be the answer to what does Mahara do that a blog can’t? Maybe this view would have helped me describe the differences.
- I need to reflect on things I used to do and adapt them to my current classes.
- I need to do a better job of keeping track of what I do and share that with others.
- Even though most of what we have done during our move to a 1-1 laptop program is flawed we will probably make it through because, over the past three years, we have created a system and have educated our students, through our ICT classes, to the tools that are part of our system.
- Although a PLN is a great tool to use for learning a PLN with people you meet face to face is more meaningful.
- Attending a conference with an Iphone makes me wonder why I lug my laptop back and forth.
- We are all looking at the similar issues using similar tools and trying to do what is best for the students we have.
- Raffles are a lot more fun when you win something.
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