K12 Online - Do it Anyway!

One of the sessions I attended at NECC was run by Wes Fryer, Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, Dean Shareski and Darren Kuropatwa from afar.

If you don't recognize this group, these are the four convenors of the K-12 Online Conference.

My up front disclaimer is that I am a big fan and a big supporter of K-12 Online. I think it has powerful possibilities for expanding professional development across space and time. As well, being available to all people at no cost, I also believe that it is a leveller of information and experience, being open to all.

But another fascinating idea grew up in this session; the idea of doing it anyway.

Someone in the session asked about the review process (which is blind to the convenors by the way) and about how the sessions are selected. From here the discussion grew up into the fact of making your session anyway, even if it is rejected by the K-12 conference itself. This really does make sense. While I completely encourage people to submit a proposal to the conference, if you choose, or if your session is rejected, produce it anyway. If you planned on making a video or a podcast, make it anyway. Make your artifact and place it online. Every piece of information, every seminar, every session, every piece of learning contributes to the global discussion on issues of educational change.

This is one of the great things about being online where anyone can have a space and a voice.

Tags: necc, wes fryer, dean shareski, darren kuropatwa, sheryl nussbaum-beach, k12 online

Comments

[Brian C. Smith]

This is a great reminder. I'd also add that those that decide to do this use tags like "k12online" or "k12online2008" so other's following the action can find it easily.

[Kevin]

Good point -- plan, prepare and do it for yourself and your community, whether or not it becomes part of K12 Online.

Kevin

[Brian Mull]

Then perhaps there should be a practitioner's area where "unofficial" submissions can be made.

[Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach]

Wow Brian -- what a fantastic idea. I will talk to other conveners about it right away.

[Clarence Fisher]

A lot of good ideas here. I don't mean to break K12 Online, dumping dozens of presentations upon them as I know the tremendous amount of work the committee does to create this conference already; but I like the idea of tagging things that you've uploaded so it can be found or else possibly having a wiki where "unofficial" presentations can be listed, promoted and linked to. The more voices the better, we just need to make certain that the all - volunteer - and - already - very - busy committee does not drown.

[Wesley Fryer]

We discussed this in our convener's meeting tonight Clarence, and are going to implement this... more details to follow. Thanks for sharing the GREAT idea!