Importance

[Kim Cofino]

What was the most important thing you learned / thought about /discussed over the last two days? Why?

[Ana Santos]

It is hard to pinpoint one thing. I feel an almost childish excitement about the possibilities technology can offer to us all. Of course, that I am very aware that all great things come with disadvantages. I am choosing to focus on the positives and using them to enrich my life. I cannot look at this as a doom and gloom situation. As with anything you still have the power of choice and you take from what is out there the things that can make your life better. The online connection does not have to take the place of face to face interaction but it can add richness to your overall network of friends and colleagues. I will need to continue to find the balance between spending some time gardening, having a drink with friends, knitting, reading a book, etc and sitting at the computer blogging with like-minded colleagues across the world, googling for info, etc...

[Kim Cofino]

Ana,

Your positive attitude and energy is the first step! I am confident that you will find the right tool to begin your journey, and as long as you remember to start small, you will keep that essential balance in your life!

Let me know if you have any questions!

[Mike Boulanger]

Anna, It is wonderful seeing you all giddy with the possibilities. I love that you choose to place the positive aspects foremost in your thinking. This isn't always easy to do. Go for it, I'll be available anytime you need 'help.'

[joyce]

I'm excited to think I can form a learning network of art teachers with a similar approach to mine. You showed me how to do it--I haven't yet. I just spent the last 24 hours moving to a new place. I'll let you know if I find a good group.
Thanks for coming to Doha. You are clear when you describe the different tools, and I do appreciate that you probably learned how to be clear from working with elementary students. You helped me enough to want to try. Joyce

[Kim Cofino]

Thank you for your positive feedback Joyce! I'm so glad that I was able to help in such a short time!

Good luck connecting with other like minded educators - check out those Nings I recommended (and linked in my Presentation Resources post). I would start with the Global Education Collaborative - this one has a great international group and global focus.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions!

[Kirsten Holland]

To be honest I learnt so much it is hard to list them all. I also realised that as an administrator I now have another area that I need to become very much involved in, and I am so happy that I now have the tools to do that. I feel empowered to know what these new terms mean, and to not be scared to try new things.

I agree with what Ana says about balance though. I spent far too much time this weekend exploring all the websites, and blogs that were suggested. I have to learn to take baby steps. Like anything new I guess.

Thanks for putting all this together.
Kirsten

[Kim Cofino]

It's so exciting for me to see administrators so enthusiastic about learning these new tools!

As you can tell, at the beginning it can seem very all-encompassing, but things will soon smooth out. Start with one or two new things and take it one baby step at time - there's no way to learn everything all at once.

Thank you for having me!

Let me know if you have any questions!

[Mary Shine Saju]

I am a Teacher Assistant and am too scraed to replied to this.I got excited after the 1st session in the auditorium on Wednesday and so I made up my mind to attend all the workshops which was optional for the assistants. I learned so much but I don't know how much I really know,or I would be able to use what I learned from you and other presenters. Any way ,thank you for all the new information.Be innovative ,openmined and enthusaistic to reseach more ,because many people will learn a lot from you.

[Kim Cofino]

Hi Mary,

Fabulous! I am so impressed to hear that you chose to go to all the sessions! I'm so glad you learned so much - and don't worry that it all seems overwhelming now, that's totally normal.

Try to choose one thing that you were most interested in, and use it in the classroom, or for yourself. Test out all the different ways you could use/do that one thing and see what you think. Share what you learn with your colleagues and don't forget to ask for help if you need it!

Let me know if you have any questions!

[Mary Shine Saju]

Kim,Thank you for your support and help.When I have questionsI will definitely ask you.I am trying to learn one by one.So eventually I will have more questions.Thank you once again.
Mary

[Mike Boulanger]

One of the most important things I thought about after the 2 days was how hungry everyone was for knowledge about 21st century learning. How excited many people were about the value of these new tools and their willingness to embrace them for authentic learning experiences. I think it really validates my thoughts for the past couple of years regarding the way we approach the subject of learning/teaching with technology at the school; that our model isn't working all that well. You've showed us ways we can move forward and I'll definitely be continuing to advocate moving towards better options. Hopefully sooner rather than later...

[Kim Cofino]

Absolutely!

The entire staff was so excited and enthusiastic and ready to learn - it really is an amazing environment! You are lucky to have such a professional group of teacher to work with!

I think the TIF model you have in the works will suit QA very well - I hope you get things running that way even earlier than you planned!

Good luck!