September 26, 2008
Hi all,
At the recent #ais08 conference I was privileged to introduce Professor John Hedberg. Here is the address.
John Hedberg
At the beginning of the year the organising committee was sharing ideas about possible keynote speakers. Two members of the Committee had the same name suggesting Professor John Hedberg as a keynote speaker.
In the pre internet era I was groupie of University libraries and faculties to try and keep up-to-date with latest trends in education – now the internet makes this easier. John’s digital footprint gives a random insight into his leadership in education, ICT and pedagogy.
For example at Wollongong University he coordinated the Masters of Education Program, in 2000 he co-authored a report The on-line experience: The state of Australian on-line education and training practices – Review of research and the document I really enjoyed reading was The Quick Start Role Play an ICT Learning Design Project.
What did these three things reveal to me?
1. John is still actively involved with post graduate students in areas that are useful for ICT educators – his most recent Web2.0 PhD student graduates this week. He also has a current PhD student investigating the use of Second Life.
2. The online report suggests he can provide solid and relevant research based evidence that we as teachers and ICT educators can use as we try and negotiate new initiatives in schools. In fact for 2008 he has 12 articles currently submit for review for publication on top of 9 verified publications in 2007 and 8 in 2006. Sadly the typical teacher does not easily have access to these refereed journals but John if you had an active blog we would enjoy reading your research. Maybe you could also nudge a few of your colleagues as well.
3. Finally, reading the role play suggested to me that John was well grounded providing practical ways for educators to engage in new .
The digital foot print only reveals so much so I did two other things. Firstly, I contacted John in person. His passion for technology in education was clearly evident and we talked about a whole range of issues particularly the use of hand held devices. At the end he gave me his direct number if I required further information. I was pretty chuffed – we had a keynote and I had graduated from being a groupie reading notices in the corridors to having a direct line to the Head of School.
The second thing I decided to do was to go back to the corridors and see what else I could find out. I found the School of Education to be a friendly and collaborative area of the university. I knocked on a few doors, talked to a few people, read a few notice boards and felt assured we would be in good hands today.
I introduce to you Professor John Hedberg.
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Posted by martinpluss
September 23, 2008
Hi all,
AIS ICT Conference Reflections Day 2
- Don’t try and joke during presentations – it does not work
- It is a myth that Digital Natives have the skills and Teachers are illiterate. Idea been around for a while but I guess others have not thought about it this way. One suggestion digital natives just skim the surface and don’t go in too far if it is too hard. As for the teachers many teachers have the skills but don’t realise they have the skills.
- It is all in the name. The Conference used to be called ICT Integrators now it is called ICT Integration. Subtle point but true and has implications. Integrators are starting to have done their job and it is time to redefine their positions. After all the position did not exist when I started school.
- Three overlapping concepts are they different or is it just semantics?: Personal Learning Network (PLN), Personal Learning Environment (PLE), and Google’s Personal Information System (PIS) or Space? This is the key thing I have taken from the conference and want to work on- it was not really covered that much in it but I kept hearing things that made me think of it.
- I enjoyed the second day in a different way as I was able to be a participant, talk, watch, listen and take notes. Here are some random quotes:
“ICT is a silver bullet or an agent of change.” ie: will it fix everything?
“That’s the way we have always done it - TTWWHADI”
“You only learn when you teach” – hmmm
“We were taught facts and not how to think” – not my experience.
“Be experts in learning and I encourage you to swim in the other direction” – zOMG – not all of us
“There is a rush of information when two cultures collide”
“Concentrate on one thing that interests you.”
“ Do things well or do things quickly” – for me it is both.
“An issue with change and an issue with what we are trying to do…we can change and do the same ..the core stays”
A great two days- loved the networking.
I am fully inspired but now have to prepare worksheets to show teachers how to back up their work on CDs and DVDs. Ahh the reality of my job 
Cheers Martin
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Posted by martinpluss
September 22, 2008
Hi all,
Personal
The day of a conference is always exciting.
This time around it was added to as I am organising committee, did a presentation and it is the school that my father -in-law taught at for 35 years. In fact a House is named after him as well, part of the room at the Northbridge Oval is dedicated to his school and international sporting career as a Wallaby. I had not met the current Head Master and I went into the office to introduce myself – he was at lunch. It was worth a try.
The Conference
1. The skill level of teachers has increase a heap in the last few years. For example, this time around there was no need to guide teachers on how to login to a Web 2.0 tool.
2. No one was complaining that there is not enough time to be involved in learning new things. I was pleased about that.
3. Teachers are starting to understand and put in practice the idea that you don’t have to do everything – you can specialise in something that interests you and become a leader in that area.
4. Teachers are thinking more seriously about sharing. This is a credit to an increasing number of presenters who are prepared to share what they know and have without be scared to do so.
5. Finally I was pleased that people were prepared to consider Twitter and in fact a few joined up. Here is a summary of those who tweeted using #ais08. Please use #ais08 for the Conference tweets.
Really looking forward to day two – just finished writing the introductory address for tomorrow’s Keynote Speaker Professor John Hedberg.
cheers Martin
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Posted by martinpluss
September 21, 2008
Hi all,
Here is the article and two PowerPoint Presentations on: Twitter: Viral Professional Development and Networking.
Twitter: Viral Professional Development – the enticer
Twitter Getting Started
cheers Martin
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Posted by martinpluss
Posted by martinpluss 