EdTech 2006 Reflections Thus Far

Today is Thursday, October 5th, 2006. I am sitting in my room at the LaQuinta Inn in Myrtle Beach, SC. I just got back from the second day of the Educational TechnoSafari sponsored by EdTech 2006 where I was just entertained with the possible future of our communication led society as proposed by Mr. David Warlick His presentation hit on many of the same elements as last year's keynote speaker, Mr. Alan November, but was refreshing nonetheless.

He spoke of the need to redefine our way of educating students for the future. He criticized our models of literacy in the avenues of reading, writing, and arithmetic as outdated and in need of a major overhaul. His take on the needs of our students was energetic and exciting, but I fear we are the wrong crowd to hear it. We're all interested in using technology in our classrooms; otherwise, we wouldn't be at this conference. I for one plan to begin using some of his ideas, but still fear the apathy and complacency of my students and fellow teachers will very well derail my attempts.

I am very interested in podcasting and vodcasting, and would like to develop new ideas using them in my class. Maybe it will revitalize my students and make them want to participate.