It has been
a very busy these past three months and my blog updates have fallen a tad short and somewhat to the wayside as the PD development and national
training I provide has taken precedence.
I have kept up with my social networks as of Twitter, LinkedIn and
Facebook- but am feeling extremely guilty on my professional reflection. I need to put myself first this time- as I
have a little downtime between flights as I head back home after the Chicago Tech
Forum and working with national edtech leaders with Intel Education in
Naperville, IL this past week.
I had the
wonderful privilege and opportunity to co-present with the most lovely Lucy
Gray AKA on Twitter @elemenous on “Yes, There is An App For That” at the 2012 ChicagoTech Forum on May 4th. I really enjoyed working and co-presenting with Lucy as she allows me
to be highly creative in my presentation contributions, she positively pushes me to a new level of technology learning and
demonstration practices, and she constantly models effective communication and collaboration
methods. Yes, these high quality innovative traits are the driving force of
great women leaders and women business entrepreneurs. I believe our balanced
facilitation style complimented our overall presentation as we tag-teamed our
iPad technology integration message with our audience members. Thank you Lucy! I hope we can work together
sometime very soon.
We stole
some time away during the morning keynote to meet by 9AM near the Starbucks
coffeshop within the hotel to broadcast the radio show. Lots of activity was
taking place at this Tech & Learning Forum, and it was difficult to find a
quiet corner and to ensure that we would have adequate Internet connectivity-
but we made it work. So during the
broadcast you will be hearing many passerby’s, background hotel music and spurts
of laughter and conversations from attendees.
I really like this “realism” to the radio broadcast as it is authentic
and never scripted from a public venue.
This was one
of those interviews that inspired me to really reflect on the learning process
of the content of the overall message.
It was thought provoking and provided reassurance that we as educational
technology leaders can and will make a difference with our educators and
students if we too- continue to follow our passions of edtech leadership,
modeling of best practices of 21century skills and fluencies and allow for
creativity to empower our own learning. Thank you Rick for making a difference in my
edtech world and allowing for me to interview you – where in return I can share
your global message with our radio audience on The Digital Buzz,
multiple PLN’s and our Intel Teachers Engage Online Community.
Many of you
know that the first Friday of every month at 9AM CST, I run a radio broadcast talk
show for Intel Teachers Engage Online Community known as “The Digital Buzz.” Even though I had a commitment of presenting
for the Tech and Learning Forum, I still made time to honor my commitment to
Intel, and what a better way to interview Rick Herrmann, Intel’s US Sector
Public Manager, who was also presenting at this conference. Rick presented at
this event on the latest technology innovations that Intel has to offer and the
dynamic K12 Blueprint.
We stole
some time away during the morning keynote to meet by 9AM near the Starbucks
coffeshop within the hotel to broadcast the radio show. Lots of activity was
taking place at this Tech & Learning Forum, and it was difficult to find a
quiet corner and to ensure that we would have adequate Internet connectivity-
but we made it work. So during the
broadcast you will be hearing many passerby’s, background hotel music and spurts
of laughter and conversations from attendees.
I really like this “realism” to the radio broadcast as it is authentic
and never scripted from a public venue.
Rick’s radio interview was extremely intriguing as we discussed emerging technology
conversations topics before the actually live broadcast- to prepare our
workflow of content. Rick was so at ease as he discussed several topics
relating to k12 technology education. The trending topics we covered included
BYOD, the importance of teacher professional development, equity and access to
resources and tools for our students and educators, student social fluency skills
to prepare them for a global competitive society, and the latest and greatest
emerging technologies on the horizon.
The indepth
responses Rick provided to questions I posed for him showcased his global
expertise and worldwide interactions and initiatives with individuals in k12schools, business
sectors and higher-ed institutions. I
was especially intrigued with Rick’s foresight and guidance of shared
strategies and solutions of how to prepare our students for our future. His message also focused on the importance of 21st
century skills and fluency experiences students she be immersed in that infuse
collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, self-directed
learning, equity and access to resources and tools, and reflection on lessons
learned. These key learning opportunities are essential to student success and
engagement to leverage their own personal learning and the environments they
learn within.
Comments
Thumbs up and Thanks.