Thoughts from a First-Timer

NYSCATE Conference Day 1-

So it was my first time at the Annual NYSCATE Conference in Rochester, NY.

For my friends abroad and outside of NY, NYSCATE is the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education ( http://www.nyscate.org/ ).

I’d wanted to participate in this conference for a few years, but unfortunately, was unable until this year.

I arrived at the Rochester Radisson on a Sunday afternoon and jumped right into breakout sessions with people in the field of Instructional Technology. I was excited, energized and open to hearing new ideas about how to better implement technology into my classroom to better serve my students. When I say “better serve my students”, what I mean is, give them the most useful and in-depth education as I can with the resources that are readily available to me.

The first session I attended was about project-based learning (which was a key phrase used in many of the sessions that I attended). The presenter was a representative from Tech4learning ( http://www.tech4learning.com/ ) . It was a brief overview of the capabilities of two different types of software (Pixie and Frames4). Both of these have some great potential to involve students in project based learning activities. However, there is one hurdle to overcome…one to one computing. (pay attention, this hurdle will present itself again…)

I then attended a session about open knowledge. The main focus was about the different types of licensing available (i.e. Creative Commons) for produced works such as lessons, activities, photos and media clips. This was quite informative. It increased my awareness of how I have been using content online and how I should be paying attention to licensing guidelines.

My next session was with Chris Lehmann. ( http://www.practicaltheory.org/serendipity/ )

ENTHRALLED. That is what pops to mind. I was enthralled. Motivated. Amazed. Energized. What this man and his team have done for children is amazing. His ideas about trusting students and giving them a fair shot at the education that they need NOW (not the type of education they needed 10, 20 or 30 years ago) are quite simply astounding and progressive. He is the founder and principal of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. ( www.scienceleadership.org/drupaled/ ).

Chris Lehmann also delivered a keynote address for the conference. He further expanded upon his visions and the systemic change that needs to take place to better educate kids to live in today’s world. While listening, I felt excited to be part of the group of education professionals listening, yet I felt sad. I was sad because,(for a purely selfish reason) my child is forced to "settle" for an education that doesn't seem to fit him, mostly because of two reasons: our habitational geography and some kind of unwillingness amongst the people teaching him to change and adapt and follow the obvious transformation that our culture seems to involved in. He's receiving an education that doesn't quite seem to utilize his strengths (actually quashes them to an extent) and exacerbates his weaknesses. It frightens me that they might destroy that wonder, creativity and passion that he's had since the first day I held him in my arms.


Day 1 was an enlightening day. A day that made me think. A day that made me wonder.
More about Day 2 tomorrow...or maybe just later, depends on my mood.

Lovely Evening Stroll

Lovely Evening Stroll
Originally uploaded by Jen Laubscher

Lighted Way

Lighted Way
Originally uploaded by Jen Laubscher

Reproduction

milkweed3
Originally uploaded by Jen Laubscher

Whilst on a short trip to Croghan, NY, I saw HUNDREDS of these milkweeds that had gone to seed. The light was hitting them in such a way that they almost glowed against the background of the gray and dreary forest road. They reminded me of something. They reminded me, (at a time when I REALLY NEEDED to be reminded) that there is always something beautiful, you just need to open up your eyes and look around for it.
It's been really hard to do that lately. So many things seem to be getting to me. The change in the weather. The difficult days at work. The hard times at home. The constant berating from someone. It all just gets so heavy. It was difficult to see the light with so much piled up.
This tiny little milkweed with its beautiful process of reprodcution, standing strong against the impending winter, absorbing as much sunlight as possible just reminded me to SEEK the sunlight.