My Brain Hurts

Some Year 10 students today were telling me about their web site where they post short movies they have created which also appear on YouTube. They have 5 “movies” posted and were rightfully proud of their small site. They were using MovieMaker and agreed with me that it is a toy program and that they would love to update to some real software like Final Cut Pro. Seems like they need part time jobs. At least the school uses FCP so if they enrol in the correct unit next year they can fuel their movie passion with some real tools.

This does show how creative students want to be and their willingnes to take on new learning to fulfil a desire. The instant success of YouTube is the end result of that. Also makes you wonder what these students have to put up with if these creative spirits are not encouraged in a pencil and paper school system.

These are really high quality, very motivational and a great teaching tool. There are 12 different categories of podcast that you can subscribe to. They are free and NG permits broader use within educational settings as defined in their conditions of use.

For more information and to subscribe visit:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts/

This was an amazing conference attended by a staggering 18 000 delegates. Infinitely larger than anything I had ever been to. Leaving a frosty wintry Canberra to land in summery Hotlanta, Georgia was a welcome weather change. The conference kicked off with a night at the Atlanta Aquarium, the white beluga whales and the giant glass walled tank were fascinating.

The large number of concurrent sessions made it difficult to choose between presentations. Some sessions were podcasted so no need to go to those, instead download the podcast later. There were also poster sessions, student showcases, special focus playgrounds, birds-of-a-feather sessions and workshops ( for an additional fee). More than enough to cram into a mere three days. Most of the presentations I attended were very informative. These included blogging in the classroom, virtual schooling in Second Life, web based tools, online PD, teaching with emerging technologies, information fluency and podcasting – all of which were very informative sessions. Unfortunately there were a couple of dud sessions also but it was simply a case of bail out and sneak into another.

Then there was the trade display, this was HUGE and I mean really HUGE. So many companies on display offering insights into new and existing products – and of course the freebies.

While in Atlanta, it’s well worth a visit to the World of Coca Cola, but be wary when the sampling room attendant makes a recommendation – grapefruit flavour . . . yuck!

This was a great excuse to take a month’s long service leave pack up the family and see the east coast of the USA. We had a great time visiting New York, Washington and Florida. Next year NECC moves to San Antonio, Texas. Very tempting to go back . . . . .