My #ISTE12 Reflection, Part 2

In my last post, I shared some of the big takeaways I had from #ISTE12. This is a continuation of that post, with the focus on these questions:

• What had the most impact on me at ISTE, and what memories will be most prominent from that week? 
• What new goals would I set as a result of #ISTE12?

JoAnn Jacobs, me, Joan Young, & Julie Hembree

6. While ISTE was filled with amazing training, there was something unique about ISTE that I've never experienced from any other conference, and that's the continued learning once the official sessions were over. The continued learning occured during conversations with others.

Hanging out at the Bloggers' Cafe was one of my favorites because of the amazing conversations with others.

My goal: I intend on hanging out virtually with some of my blogging buddies.

7. I appreciated the resources from the Common Core and PBL poster session by Diane Midness, iEARN-USA with Losira Okelo and BIE's David Ross. 

iEARN's projects were aligned with Common Core and sorted by grades, and they'd be happy to show us how to dig in via a webinar.

From the conversation with David Ross, I learned about Buck Institute's (BIE's) new launch of free PBL PD, called PBLU, aligned with the Common Core.

My goal: I would like for this to be listed on my district's Prospector University (where we list PD for teachers to sign up if they so desire). It would have the dates and information for our teachers so they were aware of this awesome PD.

Google Advanced Search

8. There were so many awesome resources shared during the Smackdown, part of the SocialEdCon on Saturday. -- (Does anyone have a list of these?) Some of the ones I want to try are:

• Reflection -- to send what's on my iPad to my computer to project on the screen
• IFTTT -- You create a search and a response based on if this "trigger" then that "action"
• Comic Life -- easy to create comics on the iPad or desktop
• SlideWriter -- this app makes it easier to edit on iPad
• Google -- I didn't realize I could search specific sites such as Twitter via Google! You can do this by typing in "site:twitter.com keyword" or through the Advanced Search option  

My goals: A) I want to try all of the above, and put them to use. B) I need to tag my Apps in Diigo better. Right now, I just tag with "iPad" and "App." Instead, I need to be more detailed. I'd like to create a wiki with some essential apps for my district based on where they are now... and have other resources with lists of apps such as "7 Free iPad Apps for Educators and Students." Anyone have one created, or know of one, that I can use as an example (or join so I don't reinvent the wheel)?

9. Peer Coaching Panel Session-- This is one I can't forget because I was on it, and am thankful for the great experience. I learned a lot by presenting as a member of a small group with two people I had never met face-to-face before. I was so nervous about presenting that I couldn't focus that whole morning on anything else until it was over. In fact, I tried to go to a session that I really wanted to learn from, however my own thoughts about what I was going to say kept getting in the way of my listening and learning. Despite my nerves before the session, I was comfortable and confident in front of the audience, and felt like I was connecting with them.

My goal: If I ever get an opportunity like this again, I'll be sure to ask that we practice extra times to help my nerves so I might be able to think about other things prior to presenting. :-)  I'd also ask someone to take a photo for me to publish in my post. 

10. Even though the days were packed with so much training, spending time with online friends face-to-face was an amazing experience, and it recharged my batteries. It's amazing to think of how connections via web2.0 has changed friendships and learning!

Sunday outing: Sandy Rollefstad, Sue Waters, me, & Ronnie Burt

Lunch with: Sandy Rollefstad, Linda Yollis, & JoAnn Jacobs

Photo by John Miller: Julie, Kathleen, Linda, Sue Wyatt, & me

Walking after lunch: Me, Paula Naugle, & Sandy Rollefstad

Nate, Kathleen, me, Julie, Linda, Sandy, Ronnie, Anne, Sue, & Mr. 13

Final thoughts

There were so many spectacular sessions going on at the same time, but I could not physically be in more than one place at a time. However, Twitter made it possible! I loved that I could still learn by following the Twitter feed of other sessions. Some Tweets that stood out for me were from Joan Young while in Jackie Gerstein's Flipped Classroom Session:

• What new apps/tools are you giving a try or would recommend?
• How has web2.0 changed how you learn and connect?
• What has this post left you thinking about?

My #ISTE12 Reflection, Part 1

What had the most impact on me this past week, and what memories will be most prominent from this week? What new goals will I set as a result of this week? Here they are, not in any particular order.

Linda Yollis & Kathleen Morris

1. Educational Blogging: Flattening Classroom Walls by Linda Yollis and Kathleen Morris I am always inspired and in awe of these two women. They have made such an impact on me, so to see them present together live was absolutely incredible, especially since this week was the first time they had met face to face! Their stellar session was filled with powerful tips, incredible resources, while providing powerful examples of what can evolve out of blogging.

To highlight a few tips:

Linda, Kath, Sue Wyatt, Sue Waters, me, Ronnie, Julie, Anne, John

• Start small. Blogging is a journey.
• Use your content objectives to focus your posts. This way blogging doesn't become an add-on to try to fit in, but rather part of your literacy block.
• Make connections with other classes by leaving quality comments. Be genuine, and go back and visit those classes again.
• QuadBlogging and the Student Blogging Challenge are great ways to get your blog started and have an authentic audience.

My goal: I intend on continuing to share the benefits of blogging with my district. I'll continue to differentiate for those who are ready to start, and for those ready to pursue original global projects via blogging.

Dinner with Kathleen, Linda, & me

2. I had the privilege of rooming with Linda Yollis and absolutely loved our conversations and getting to know her better. It was the first time I met her face to face, and she is as dynamic in person as she is online.

It was also thrilling to watch Linda and Kathleen together. They are so passionate and dedicated! It was also a joy to watch them work on the final touches of their presentation behind the scenes.

Day 1 & Day 2 Sue Wyatt, Sue Waters, Ronnie Burt, & me

3. I absolutely loved being involved with Sue Wyatt's Student Blogging Challenge Poster Session! While the Poster Session was originally only scheduled for Sunday evening, we also got to do it again on Monday!

My goal: I will make sure our AJUSD Prospector University (where we have various classes and teachers elect to sign up for the PD they are interested in) offers the Edublogs Teacher Challenge starting in mid-August to prepare them for the September Student Blogging Challenge. I also will need to survey my Collaboration Coaches to see how many are interested in my helping team teach in their classrooms with blogging, then set up the calendar to block off time for me to be in their rooms.

4. Lisa Dabb's Collaborative Mentoring for New Students panel session stood out for me. This session was filled with amazing resources and tips by the stellar panel:

• Lisa Dabbs: Her passion for mentoring new teachers was very evident. I loved the idea of online support in addition to the face-to-face. Furthermore, it provided new teachers with places to search for answers and support when they needed it. I hadn't realized that there were online mentors dedicated to helping new teachers. 
• Steven Anderson: I really liked his idea of using Edmodo and Twitter to connect with his new teachers and help them with the tools they needed and used in the classroom.
• Mary Beth Hertz: Her idea of EdCamp, which was an unconference based on collaboration, sounded fabulous!
• Patrick Larkin: I appreciated how he reminded us that building relationships and trust so it is part of the culture was the foundational piece. Furthermore, we needed to model what we wanted to see.
• Shannon Miller: She's a librarian who spends much of her time in classrooms and not the library! She invested in her teachers and students!
• Dean Mantz: Certified LoTi mentor. Mentors needed supportive online communities also.
• Erin Klein: I appreciated her transparency in reminding us that new teachers have so many questions that online support to help when face-to-face wasn't available was a necessity. She also shared some of her favorite apps: 1) Photon Flash Player (flash for iPad); 2) Animoto (digital storytelling and video); 3) Educreations (interactive whiteboard and screen recording app).

My goal: I want to invest in the those involved with new teachers in my district. We use our Diigo Network closely, so that might be one route to help them connect. I also want to share some of the online resources that's available to them.

5. Chris Lehmann's "Beyond Google, Building Conditions for Structured Inquiry" was an exceptionally powerful session. Some tips and resources:

• An example of inquiry based lesson in history.
• Inquiry included personalization through choice, relevance, & empowerment. It happens by caring, planning, & assessing. 
• "What is the worst consequence of your best idea?"
• Build a calendar for their benchmark projects so all teachers are aware of the big PBLs going on.
• David Warlick's notes were fabulous.

My goal: I need share more of this idea of authentic inquiry to help mold their PBL. This fits perfectly with many of the resources we use in our district such as the Learning Activity Checklist and Lesson Improvement Questions.

Final thoughts

I'll continue this post in My #ISTE12 Reflection, Part 2 next time. This post was filled with oodles of links to go back and revisit and goals to pursue.

• Whether you went to ISTE or not, you are learning. What new things are you learning/thinking about?
• What goals have you made based on what you are learning?
• How else does this post connect with you?