K12 Online Conference- LAN Party
Last night, my colleague and friend Paige McGee and I organized a K12 Online Conference LAN party to be held at our elementary school. We made it a pot luck style dinner. The idea was to allow teachers time to choose a presentation or two to watch and then, over dinner, share what we have learned.
I had tweeted Chrissy Hellyer and Kim Cofino from Bangkok, Thailand and they graciously agreed to Skype in for a few minutes to share their thoughts on some of the presentations. I also invited two local friends who are teaching at different schools here in Jacksonville to join us as well. Melanie Holtsman was not able to come personally, but also joined us via Skype as well. Andrea Hernandez even brought a colleague of hers with to the get together.
So, the networking across continents and across town was off to a good start.
I tried, as best as I could, to record some of the conversation on the flip camera. Sometimes I was just too interested in the conversation that I forgot to push the “record” button. I will have to get better at multitasking or to think of another set up.
Here is a snippet of the conversation. Hopefully you will feel some of the excitement of the teachers. For some of them it was the first time that they had heard of K12 Online conference, PLN, Twitter, etc.
Being able to witness a video conference with Thailand and speak with Chrissy and Kim in such a relaxed atmosphere opened some eyes to the potential of creating connections across the world for their students and also for themselves. Melanie’s skyping in, showed the possibilities of participating even if you are not physically are able to be there although you live in the same town. Great correlation to Brian Crosby’s presentation Video-Conferencing It’s Easy, Free and Powerful ( A must to watch)
Thank you, Thank you to the three of you for making this happen.
Here are the presentations that some of the teachers chose yesterday evening (Not all of them will be discussed on the video clip):
- How Can I Become Part of this ReadWriteWeb Revolution? Alice Barr, Bob Sprankle, Cheryl Oakes
- Never Too Young Sharon Betts
- It Simply Isn’t the 20th Century Any More Is It? So Why Would We Teach as Though It Was? Stephen Heppell
- Throwing the Box Away Barbara Bray
- Oh the Possibilities Lisa Parisi
- Connecting Classrooms Across Continents: Planning and Implementing Globally Collaborative Projects
Kim Cofino and Jen Wagner
What a great idea! I am so glad you skyped in others. We would be happy to skype in anytime!
Cheryl, Bob and Alice
What a wonderful idea! I wish I’d thought of it!!! I may have to keep that for next year’s conference. I have just found that site this year, and am still trying to watch some, but I’ve also found the archives and realize I can access it later too. Whew! What a relief!!
Anyway, I think that’s a great way (potluck) to get your teachers to stick around a while and learn something.
And it’s also a great use of Skype!
Thank you so much for inviting me to Skype in, Silvia. I’m bummed that I had to rush off to teach after only a few minutes!
Last year we did something similar here at ISB and I need to make sure we do it again this week – even if it’s something simple. Most of the teachers I know probably are not aware that such excellent professional development opportunities are available online for free! This is such a great way to build energy and enthusiasm – no matter how small the group is!
Thanks for reminding me to get out of my little niche and start spreading the K12online love in the real world!
@Cheryl
We will be having another LAN party next week. It would be great if you can skype in!
@Barb
The pot luck style get together was a great way to make everybody feel more relaxed and not intimidated. You don’t have to wait until next year to have your own LAN party. This can happen at any time.
@ Kim
Thank you for taking the time to Skype with us in the first place. I know how hectic it is in the morning when trying to organize your day. The time that you did spend with us was great!
You are right about the energy and enthusiasm. A couple of teachers that came last week have already RSVPed for the next get together next week. Yes, we have to “spread the love”!
[...] Our first LAN party had been a great success, that word spread around the school and colleagues asked if we could hold another one. We asked the participants of this first one what were some of the ingredients that they enjoyed and what would make them give up more personal time, not even 2 weeks later, to attend another get together. [...]
[...] (local area network) party at your school, home or nearby restaurant. See examples of LAN parties here, here and [...]
[...] year I organized with my colleague Paige McGee two session that you can read about here and [...]