I have been thinking a lot about NECC since I arrived at home on Tuesday night. This a post written in an airport departure lounge so forgive the lack of links.
I too, had an incredible time at the Edubloggercon and hanging out in the Blogger’s Cafe.
Seeing at this was my first NECC, and I’ve never been to a full-fledged state conference, either.
I was expecting to learn a lot at the sessions, and it appears I chose sessions that didn’t meet me where I was most in need. I found that I learned more in the context of conversation than in the sessions.
Doesn’t that mimic the blog world? Interesting, eh? We talk about this being one big huge conversation, and a chance to chat with everyone seems to parallel that.
Why am I so surprised? I’ve blogged before that I am big into the relationship idea, that learning comes out of relationship. We say that learning is social, but I think there is a delineation to be made from social to relationship.
Either or, I had a great time chatting with folks in the blogger’s cafe, having lunch with Jeff, and just spending time with amazing folks.
I’ll write more about this as time progresses and I am not waiting for a departing flight. Today starts the journey to Peru, so the next post will be from South of the Equator!
Chris
Chris, I have to tell you that this was the best NECC I have ever been to. I have been to 5 in the last 6 years. The conversations in the conference halls are what made it so wonderful. The sessions varied but everyone seemed to be like a big family. Everybody read everybodies blog and it seemed like you knew people all ready.
Enjoy Peru!
I had been to Philadelphia in 05 and San Diego in 06. Both of those years i learned SO MUCH! But in the last year since I have been heavily following the bloggers in the blogosphere and podcasts, I found some sessions lacking, and others downright repetitive! But overall the terms that stuck out for me were networking, conversations, literacy, and employing web 2.0 tools. By far my favorite activity was the Edublogger Con, though I have to confess I really felt SHY that day, and didn’t contribute near as much as you and others. But it was by far my favorite activity. I am looking more forward the that in San Antonio than the actual conference. Glad you had such an awesome experience for your first one, and I hope you don’t find the state level conference “lacking” though you very well may. And remember as a member of the planning board, I’ll have a birds eye view of the sessions that will get a nod to present. Daneen Bowen Frazier is coming though, so i’m realy excited about this year’s SC EdTech.