NECC Reflections #1
I had to title this blog Reflections #1 since there is no way I will be able to pack everything into one post. Also I am habitually the type of person that looks back at presentations and conversations wishing I could add or tweek something. I know, I know…get some counseling already! So, in order to allow myself some more time to think back through the past week at NECC, I have set myself up to post a series of reflections.
After sitting through a gazillion presentations over three days, some good, some great, some terrible, I have walked away with the justification that what Mom and I are presenting in our workshops is pretty darn good. Not Alan November good, but definitely up there with some of the bigger sessions that we attended. I was continually amazed at how often a large gasp from the audience would result from something the presenters had demonstrated, only to look over at mom (if she was in the same session) and give her “the look”. The look was a mixture of “hello” and “yes!”. 
The “hello” part was a result of me thinking that everyone should have already known the concept or idea demonstrated. After all, it was something we have been doing for years. The other part, “yes!”, was truly validation. Validation is an awesome feeling.
The validation that we received after spending three jam-packed crazy days at NECC is worth the price of the trip in itself. You see, we are considered “small town”. We teach in rural IL, not the big city. Yet we are providing the latest and most innovative ideas during our professional development sessions.
I saw it come up on Twitter and Plurk over and over again. The statement that NECC sessions were mostly geared to beginners. I would say Yes and No. Yes in the fact that there were a LOT of newbies on the scene. At the end of day two while waiting for the elevator at our hotel, a gentleman behind us asked if our heads were spinning with all of the new things that we were shown. I could see the look of exhaustion on his face and in the way he was carrying his free canvas NECC tote bag. I smiled to myself and said, “No, I think I’ve been sorting through it all ok.” But NECC also, definitely, had elements that advanced tech integrators could implement.
Not to mention the inspiration provided by speakers such as Alan November. Inspiration is priceless. I look forward to his sessions each year and always walk away wishing I knew half the things he has forgotten over the course of his career. This was his 25th NECC presentation. 25th. I was 9 when he did his first NECC presentation. I would love to listen to the archive of that speech since I don’t recall the use of ANY technology when I was in 4th grade. None.
It is sort of ironic that yesterday Mom wrote about family passing down genes that make us the tech geeks that we are. If you read my husband’s blog you might know that Alan Novemeber could be my father-in-law. Maybe I will ask him at our next family reunion about the content of his first NECC speech.
reflections
The very first piece of technology I remember was during my junior year of high school. I attended a very large and very new “state-of-the-art” school in Marin County, California. After the teacher rolled and plugged in an overhead projector, he projected a huge yellowed isosceles trapezoid high on the wall and began to write. I most remember squinting and thinking “I’m not so sure I like this.” We’ve come a long, long way.
I know I consider teachers in Central Illinois to be very lucky to have the two of you presenting and teaching new technology ideas! I remember the first time I saw your presentation at the LakeLand conference. I came out of the room and said, “I want to teach like that!” I have learned so much from you and I try to keep stepping out of the box to learn even more. Thanks!
Thanks Gina. We are looking forward to working with you again this month for a couple of our “newer” workshops! See you soon.