Comments on: The Problem in a Nutshell…The UnProblem in a Nutshell http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/ Learning with the Read/Write Web Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:36:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Weblogg-ed » It’s Not Just the “Read/Write” Web http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-26806 Weblogg-ed » It’s Not Just the “Read/Write” Web Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:50:51 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-26806 [...] I know I visited this theme a couple of weeks ago at NECC, but in the time since, it feels like it’s been jumping out at me more and more. (Except when I was on the beach where even the fish weren’t jumping.) I’ve been trying of late to convince folks that until they understand the uses of these tools in their own learning practice they’ll be really hard pressed to deliver the different pedagogies that go along with them in compelling and effective ways. Yes, we can have kids create movies and podcasts and wikis and all sorts of artifacts that have meaningful purposes and messages. And yes that’s all good, but at the end of the day, all that’s about is being able to use the tool to do the same stuff we’ve done in the past only put it into a new form and offer it to a wider audience. The pedagogies haven’t changed. [...] [...] I know I visited this theme a couple of weeks ago at NECC, but in the time since, it feels like it’s been jumping out at me more and more. (Except when I was on the beach where even the fish weren’t jumping.) I’ve been trying of late to convince folks that until they understand the uses of these tools in their own learning practice they’ll be really hard pressed to deliver the different pedagogies that go along with them in compelling and effective ways. Yes, we can have kids create movies and podcasts and wikis and all sorts of artifacts that have meaningful purposes and messages. And yes that’s all good, but at the end of the day, all that’s about is being able to use the tool to do the same stuff we’ve done in the past only put it into a new form and offer it to a wider audience. The pedagogies haven’t changed. [...]

]]> By: Jennifer http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-26229 Jennifer Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:45:25 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-26229 Hi Marcia See you in San Antonio -- Jennifer Hi Marcia

See you in San Antonio —

Jennifer

]]> By: Jill Elfering http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-26177 Jill Elfering Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:01:35 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-26177 Will, I second the comments about the session. With so many choices, I really had to pick and choose the sessions I would attend, and when one turns out not as I had hoped it is very disappointing, as it was with your School 2.0 panel session. I was looking forward to hearing more from you and David. Although I took some helpful leads home with me, I do wish I had spent less time in sessions and more time with other bloggers in the Cafe. I am just "getting it" myself and would have loved to have been a part of the conversations. There's always next year - and what's nice is that the conversations don't stop when the final keynote is over! Will, I second the comments about the session. With so many choices, I really had to pick and choose the sessions I would attend, and when one turns out not as I had hoped it is very disappointing, as it was with your School 2.0 panel session. I was looking forward to hearing more from you and David.

Although I took some helpful leads home with me, I do wish I had spent less time in sessions and more time with other bloggers in the Cafe. I am just “getting it” myself and would have loved to have been a part of the conversations. There’s always next year – and what’s nice is that the conversations don’t stop when the final keynote is over!

]]> By: Marcia http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-26135 Marcia Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:23:19 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-26135 Wow Jennifer, Now I really wish I would have hung out at the blogger's cafe. :( I had the wrong idea about the spot. I thought it was a location where those who knew each other through online writings would meet there. I wasn't sure how "outsiders without blogs" would have been received. OK.... note to self.... Blogger's Cafe...San Antonio...be there! Keith - Thanks for the other point of view. I don't think that the session was a waste of time. I just don't think that the write-up matched the agenda. I think that my expectations would have been different if the description was worded differently. But now I see that the conversations that I was expecting at this session actually occurred at the cafe. :) Wow Jennifer,
Now I really wish I would have hung out at the blogger’s cafe. :(
I had the wrong idea about the spot. I thought it was a location where those who knew each other through online writings would meet there. I wasn’t sure how “outsiders without blogs” would have been received. OK…. note to self…. Blogger’s Cafe…San Antonio…be there!

Keith –
Thanks for the other point of view. I don’t think that the session was a waste of time. I just don’t think that the write-up matched the agenda. I think that my expectations would have been different if the description was worded differently. But now I see that the conversations that I was expecting at this session actually occurred at the cafe. :)

]]> By: Jennifer http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-26009 Jennifer Sat, 30 Jun 2007 04:27:35 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-26009 I have thought a lot about the "Blogger's Cafe" and wondered (since I have gotten home) if perhaps I had made a mistake by spending a LARGE quantity of my time there -- rather than in sessions........ and what I came to realize is that the Blogger's Cafe was my rejuvenation site. Though I did not go to many sessions, I left NECC with many new ideas, many new friends, and a little more lift to my walk. Perhaps, as was mentioned, the cafe was a "starbucks within a starbucks" but sometimes that is not all bad. The blogger's cafe was not just a location for "taking" and it was NOT the inner circle -- but it was a watering hole which both fortified and nourished all who visited. For me, this year's NECC basically took place in a 12' x 5' amount of space. And it was worth every single penny I paid to attend. JenWagner I have thought a lot about the “Blogger’s Cafe” and wondered (since I have gotten home) if perhaps I had made a mistake by spending a LARGE quantity of my time there — rather than in sessions……..

and what I came to realize is that the Blogger’s Cafe was my rejuvenation site. Though I did not go to many sessions, I left NECC with many new ideas, many new friends, and a little more lift to my walk.

Perhaps, as was mentioned, the cafe was a “starbucks within a starbucks” but sometimes that is not all bad. The blogger’s cafe was not just a location for “taking” and it was NOT the inner circle — but it was a watering hole which both fortified and nourished all who visited.

For me, this year’s NECC basically took place in a 12′ x 5′ amount of space. And it was worth every single penny I paid to attend.

JenWagner

]]> By: ken rodoff http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25993 ken rodoff Sat, 30 Jun 2007 00:50:55 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25993 An unconference within a conference sounds a lot like a Starbucks opening inside a Starbucks. If the intent is to create something different; more rich, more rewarding, and more authentic, then I'd suggest planning something that doesn't rely on the juggernaut that is the NECC conference. Wanting to bring more erudite discussion of learning to those who want it should be the first order of business. Here's what you already know: Many more people attended sessions on the 'how to?' than the 'why to?'moments the cafe offered. As it stands, people will continue to walk by the proverbial cafes (no matter what they offer) when the allure of endless breadsticks awaits at a massive chain restaurant. My question is this: If cafe dwelling is so rewarding, how do we get more people to start attending? An unconference within a conference sounds a lot like a Starbucks opening inside a Starbucks.

If the intent is to create something different; more rich, more rewarding, and more authentic, then I’d suggest planning something that doesn’t rely on the juggernaut that is the NECC conference.

Wanting to bring more erudite discussion of learning to those who want it should be the first order of business.

Here’s what you already know: Many more people attended sessions on the ‘how to?’ than the ‘why to?’moments the cafe offered.

As it stands, people will continue to walk by the proverbial cafes (no matter what they offer) when the allure of endless breadsticks awaits at a massive chain restaurant.

My question is this: If cafe dwelling is so rewarding, how do we get more people to start attending?

]]> By: Practical Theory http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25982 Practical Theory Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:48:01 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25982 <strong>Conference 2.0 -- NECC, Reflections and Moving Forward....</strong> Here are some of the posts that are influencing my thoughts on this post... as well as being at NECC for all of this: Christian Long: Is a Blogger Cafe the Classroom of the Future? Are Speakers the Past? Jeff Utecht and all of us: From Hand It In... Conference 2.0 — NECC, Reflections and Moving Forward….

Here are some of the posts that are influencing my thoughts on this post… as well as being at NECC for all of this:

Christian Long: Is a Blogger Cafe the Classroom of the Future? Are Speakers the Past?

Jeff Utecht and all of us: From Hand It In…

]]> By: Terence http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25965 Terence Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:03:25 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25965 Curious, I spent most of my time in the bloggers lounge and was one of those lurking around soaking in the conversations. Most of them proclaiming WEB 2.0 the savior of education. Let me asking a simple question, Is what we do about LEARNING or about the TECHNOLOGY? To Me the answer is simple IT IS ALL ABOUT THE LEARNING!!! Technology should be an invisble tool within that process. Curious, I spent most of my time in the bloggers lounge and was one of those lurking around soaking in the conversations. Most of them proclaiming WEB 2.0 the savior of education. Let me asking a simple question, Is what we do about LEARNING or about the TECHNOLOGY? To Me the answer is simple IT IS ALL ABOUT THE LEARNING!!! Technology should be an invisble tool within that process.

]]> By: sylvia martinez http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25937 sylvia martinez Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:59:50 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25937 Hi Will, Sorry we didn't have more time to talk at NECC! The "2.0" label is just an empty vessel (a marketing term) that makes people feel like they are all talking about the same thing and in agreement because it's so undefined. I wrote about that right before NECC, but that seems like a million years ago now! http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2007/06/21/thats-hot-web-20-and-the-empty-vessel/ Hi Will,
Sorry we didn’t have more time to talk at NECC!

The “2.0″ label is just an empty vessel (a marketing term) that makes people feel like they are all talking about the same thing and in agreement because it’s so undefined. I wrote about that right before NECC, but that seems like a million years ago now! http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2007/06/21/thats-hot-web-20-and-the-empty-vessel/

]]> By: Christian http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25936 Christian Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:16:15 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25936 Appreciate Keith's comment. Is NECC (most of it) the school of the future? Appreciate Keith’s comment. Is NECC (most of it) the school of the future?

]]> By: Terry Elliott http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25929 Terry Elliott Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:43:33 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25929 Lay down parallel tracks and act like a shadow railroad. When the other road collapses, there you will be with your train and timetable. Wooooowoooo! If this is too cryptic, then what I mean is that people have to need what you are offering before you can sell it. Unless of course you can manufacture consent. Fighting those who manufacture consent--that is another deal altogether. And in response to Marcia, we have been on that moebius strip of school reform/revolution/2.0 and it is going to nowheresville. The institutional imperative coopts all change to its own devices. Build your own learning ecology (see, I don't even want to call it school x.x). Lay down parallel tracks and act like a shadow railroad. When the other road collapses, there you will be with your train and timetable. Wooooowoooo!

If this is too cryptic, then what I mean is that people have to need what you are offering before you can sell it. Unless of course you can manufacture consent. Fighting those who manufacture consent–that is another deal altogether.

And in response to Marcia, we have been on that moebius strip of school reform/revolution/2.0 and it is going to nowheresville. The institutional imperative coopts all change to its own devices. Build your own learning ecology (see, I don’t even want to call it school x.x).

]]> By: Keith Hamon http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25904 Keith Hamon Thu, 28 Jun 2007 01:22:47 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25904 Will and Marcia, I was also in Room B207 for the <i>New Tools, New Schools</i> session. While I can understand your disappointment with the session, you should consider that some good things came out of it. For instance, I was sitting near David Jakes watching him and a group of buddies all Skyping about the session among themselves and with some others ouon the Net. Perhaps the session didn't do what you were expecting, but it did some things that I didn't expect, and I, for one, am pleased. Here's the key for me: In a blog discussion of a few weeks ago, David Warlick asked what School 2.0 looks like. Well, it looks a lot like NECC 2007. People connected, people learning, often in unexpected corners. One of your corners was in the Blogger Cafe. One of my corners was in the session you didn't like. Web 2.0, I think, allows for more corners where unexpected learning takes place that the teacher, or the presenter, didn't plan for, didn't expect, and didn't even arrange. Cool. Will and Marcia,

I was also in Room B207 for the New Tools, New Schools session. While I can understand your disappointment with the session, you should consider that some good things came out of it. For instance, I was sitting near David Jakes watching him and a group of buddies all Skyping about the session among themselves and with some others ouon the Net. Perhaps the session didn’t do what you were expecting, but it did some things that I didn’t expect, and I, for one, am pleased.

Here’s the key for me: In a blog discussion of a few weeks ago, David Warlick asked what School 2.0 looks like. Well, it looks a lot like NECC 2007. People connected, people learning, often in unexpected corners. One of your corners was in the Blogger Cafe. One of my corners was in the session you didn’t like. Web 2.0, I think, allows for more corners where unexpected learning takes place that the teacher, or the presenter, didn’t plan for, didn’t expect, and didn’t even arrange. Cool.

]]> By: Marcia http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25899 Marcia Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:43:23 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25899 Hi Will, I don't know if I have ever commented on your blog before, but I felt the need to do so now since I too attended NECC. I wish I had swung by the Blogger Cafe during the conference. I would have loved the higher level of conversation. You are right in saying that it doesn't seem like we are getting it. We don't need another cool gadget. We need a school revolution if we are going to actually move to School 2.0. I was also there for your session. I thought it was going to be totally different than what it wound up being. How could such a fantastic opportunity of having some of the great thinkers in education in the room be wasted by only allowing you guys to just give opening comments. I was looking forward to having such rich conversation during the session that we would have been forced out of the room when time was up. Oh well....another opportunity wasted. Hi Will,
I don’t know if I have ever commented on your blog before, but I felt the need to do so now since I too attended NECC. I wish I had swung by the Blogger Cafe during the conference. I would have loved the higher level of conversation.
You are right in saying that it doesn’t seem like we are getting it. We don’t need another cool gadget. We need a school revolution if we are going to actually move to School 2.0.
I was also there for your session. I thought it was going to be totally different than what it wound up being. How could such a fantastic opportunity of having some of the great thinkers in education in the room be wasted by only allowing you guys to just give opening comments. I was looking forward to having such rich conversation during the session that we would have been forced out of the room when time was up.
Oh well….another opportunity wasted.

]]> By: Tony Karrer http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25898 Tony Karrer Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:20:52 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25898 We were just having a conversation about <a href="http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/2007/06/better-conferences-response-needed.html" rel="nofollow">making conferences better</a>. I would love to hear details of how it was done, what you did, what that might mean to a conference organizer, etc. We have tentatively been talking about an unconference within a conference - sounds like you've already done that. But maybe with a bit different format. We were just having a conversation about making conferences better. I would love to hear details of how it was done, what you did, what that might mean to a conference organizer, etc. We have tentatively been talking about an unconference within a conference – sounds like you’ve already done that. But maybe with a bit different format.

]]> By: Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Blog Archive » Cleaning out my locker http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/comment-page-1/#comment-25891 Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Blog Archive » Cleaning out my locker Wed, 27 Jun 2007 20:39:38 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-problem-in-a-nutshellthe-unproblem-in-a-nutshell/#comment-25891 [...] Yesterday I listened to a great interview by Jon Udell with Dr. John Willinsky. A statement was made when referring to student work “Who is ever going to see this work again?” They discuss the need for students to create and build public knowledge. Students ought to be building on the work of the past and add, modify and make it better. (see wikipedia for more evidence) If you really understand the point of Web 2.0, you get this. What message do we send our students when we cannot give them a reason to save their work? How about, “it’s not that important”? [...] [...] Yesterday I listened to a great interview by Jon Udell with Dr. John Willinsky. A statement was made when referring to student work “Who is ever going to see this work again?” They discuss the need for students to create and build public knowledge. Students ought to be building on the work of the past and add, modify and make it better. (see wikipedia for more evidence) If you really understand the point of Web 2.0, you get this. What message do we send our students when we cannot give them a reason to save their work? How about, “it’s not that important”? [...]

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