What an excellent mantra for 2010 and beyond. You have captured the heart of effective education.

Thanks for your thoughts. I was there in person on Friday night and Saturday (first timer) and had to attend virtually on Sunday. I was both disappointed and impressed by attending. I was disappointed by the lack of talk about “actions” that took place in the sessions I attended. I really hoped to hear what people were actually doing in their classrooms/schools so I could work on making those changes in my classroom/school. Instead, like you, I heard a lot of conversation about making changes, something we all seem to know is necessary but seem unsure exactly what to do, what “actions” to take. I found this very frustrating and am not sure I will attend again.

I was impressed by the students of SLA. What an amazing group of students! I was impressed by the school culture that was in evidence everywhere I looked. I was impressed by Chris and his leadership. I would love to work with an administrator like that. The best session I attended was Chris’ Leadership 2.0 conversation. I agree with you that the challenge is leadership. My school has been all about making AYP as our primary goal for years. This year we have a new administration and the talk has turned to a focus on student learning and creating PLCs. Perhaps these are the beginnings of some of the actions we need to take to change the culture of our school.

Thanks again for your insights.

But once again, Gary, you seem to want to move to an either/or position here. Show me where anyone is arguing that the Internet is a substitute for face to face. There were a number of folks who found the Internet to be of value this weekend because they couldn’t attend, iJon’s experience nonwithstanding. And you seem to be suggesting that since it wasn’t a perfect day for the Internet at SLA, well, let’s just abandon it.

You’re right, it’s harder to lead a conversation when there are virtual attendees as well as face to face ones. We can have that discussion any time you want. It’s one worth having, because from my point of view at least, the hurdles are worth working to overcome. Can we get to the point where the value add of the virtual conversation offsets the “pedagogical comprimises?” I think so, but not if we simply throw up our hands and walk away from it.

Thanks for sharing, as always. ;0)

Btw, the mics that Chris mentioned he needed were for the panel discussion on Sunday. People in the back (of the real room) were commenting on Twitter that they couldn’t hear.

(I just happened to know that because I was watching remotely.)

Not even sure as this is a thread worth following because it distracts from Will’s point. But I for one, am grateful for the learning opportunity, whether it’s in person, long distance…