Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Talk about Overload...

I really appreciate the comments that Chris made to an earlier post about how a conference like this can be pretty overwhelming. (The Matrix analogy was perfect!) I have been taking notes like crazy all day (even in some sessions that I didn’t think were all that great). I'll never look at most of those notes again, but I think it is just that multimodal reinforcement of listening, mentally paraphrasing, and writing down what I hear that helps it stick in my head a little better.

There is no way to take everything in at an event like this, but if we each come away with a couple of really good,useable ideas, then it has been a worthwhile experience. Then…if we SHARE those ideas with each other, like through a blog or something, then we can all benefit from the best of our unique experiences.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the session about blogging, the presenter mentioned about geocache. I’ve been inquiring about it and this sounds like it could be fun. Apparently she did a geocache with Flat Stanly.

Mikie said...

I think they have a geocaching event going on during the conference... There is a booth with information at the main entrance. I haven't had a chance to check it out, but I agree that it sounds interesting! Jerram explained it to me as something like a scavenger hunt using GPS.

peace out ~ wildflower said...

I've enjoyed the conference too, tho I agree with the "overload factor". I have a ton of websites I want to go and play around with when I get home. The tricky part has been finding presentations that have stuff that fits well with PK students -- and especially with PK Spanish-speaking students. But I got some good ideas of ways to use SMART, and some cool Spanish language websites for teachers. I also learned about a lot of cool free programs/plug-ins that I could use to integrate several programs together. I think if I could get some teachers to come in the summer we could create some very cool presentations to put in our school server for everyone to use. If the stuff is there and teacher-created, they will use it! holly moore:)

peace out ~ wildflower said...

Also, geocaching is a blast... I did it all the time when I lived here in Austin. Not as many fun hiking places in Irving but there are some caches there too! :) holly

Anonymous said...

I agree about the overload, but what I've enjoyed is meeting folks from other districts that are at our level. I've got a couple of websites I want to check out first and then share with you guys, too.

Gae

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the conference and I used to get overload but now I just try to soak in what I can and then search websites for what I can't. I enjoyed seeing Sam get his award. I have a picture, but don't know how to attach it so I will send it to Mikie! Heres to TCEA 09.