Educational Origami

Looking back and reflecting on the conference has been fun. It was an enjoyable time, with good company interesting sessions and keynotes. Somethings did, however, stand out.

The power of networking.

I did enjoy and get benefit from each and every session I attended. Some where not what I had expected but they still had value. It was reassuring to have many people I respect preaching the same message as me. For me the real power and value of this conference does not come from the world class presenters running sessions and keynotes (and this is no slur on any of them) or from the sessions led by emerging leaders who presented for the first time. Rather for me the true value is the networking – the one to one conversations that could not happen anywhere else. The discussions facilitated by the presentations or just from chance conversations. Networking at conferences is the icing on the cake and the cream filling. The powerful learning discussions I have been privy to have been both immensely useful, provocative and enjoyable.

Collaborate

The power of twitter.

The power of twitter was clearly highlighted at this conference. I like twitter, its a simple and fun medium to keep your peers informed and up to date. Its quick and simple and for the most part benevolent. However, twitter is a broadcast medium in the public domain. It is ubiquitous and unforgiving.

The lesson I learn and I suspect share with many other delegates is that twitter can be a very savage tool for flaming whether the update was intended as such or not. I used to use a old adage

“engage your brain before putting your mouth into gear”

This could easily apply to twitter

“engage your brain before putting your fingers to keys”

Sometimes its best to keep your opinion to yourself. You would not let your students behave like that.

Educate

Change, it is a coming…

Oh yes there is change in the wind. The departure of many key people in the MoE to Saudi Arabia is going to bring unprecedented change to New Zealand Education. To Murray, Jonathon and others, good luck on your new venture, you have a huge challenge ahead of you, but WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY to shape a nations education. For those of us left behind.. watch that space and our space. This will be an interesting time.

Innovate

Congratulations and my thanks

Well done Core-Ed. Brilliantly well organised conference. Thanks to the sponsors – the toshiba dinner was a highlight. Christchurch is a brilliant venue. Gosh its nice to see such exciting young leaders coming through. I thought that the “Taster” sessions were a great innovation and have opened the doors for many who would not have felt confident in running a 90 minute workshop.