I think we had an excellent first session of our K12Online group in St. Vrain.  I had to literally turn folks away, as we ran out of space in the classroom – and it’s a pretty tight classroom.  (Perhaps I need to run a second session?  Why couldn’t I?  The content’s there either way . . .)
    After dealing with course logistics and introductions – there’s a wide range of school district staff there, from classroom teachers (elementary and secondary), to librarians to support staff to school board members — I walked folks (or maybe sprinted – I talk fast when I get excited) through a short history of the conference.  I then shared the first half of David Warlick’s 2006 pre-conference keynote with the group.  I like his direct approach to the audience  ("I am here and I am now – but that’s not important, because you are there and you are then .  .  ." – goosebumps.) as well as his metaphors for education.  I thought it got us off on the right foot.
    For two months, we’ll be communicating mostly via Moodle forum as we begin to take a look at the various course offerings of the conference.  The forum’s just for us right now, as we get comfortable using digital conversation spaces.  I hope to invite some of you to join us, if you’re willing, at some point in the future.  I also hope that some of the participants will choose to punch through the password-protected private space and join the public conversation(s) in some way – but that’s up to them.  It should be a choice.  And, speaking of choice, thanks, K12Online, for the handy schedules for each year of the conference – it’s really easy to look at all the options when they’re all there in one place, just like a big ol’ menu of PD.  Well done. 
    John is attending our class.  He’s also scheduled to be sworn in as a school board member tonight, so I’m pleased to have him with us.  He posted his reflections on the first night of the class over on his blog.  I thought his list of learnings was an excellent summary of the night: #

My take aways from last night (including ideas reaffirmed), in no particular order… #

- We have barely scratched the surface of what’s possible when it comes to tapping technology to enhance learning. #

- There are good and bad online protocol, "good ethical practices,"
as Bud described them.  I’m still learning which of these practices I
might be violating – and doing well. #

- Geography means a lot less than it used to.  The very notion of
school "buildings" is going to be challenged far sooner than many of us
imagine. #

- Students will choose their own pace and hours for learning no matter what schedules we try to impose. #

- The role of teacher will be far different in just a few years.
Teachers will shift from instructors to guides helping students direct
their own learning. #

- We still need face-to-face time to strengthen relationships. #

- We still need quiet time, uninterrupted by technology, to reflect on what we’re learning and imagine what we might learn next. #

  I particularly like the last one – we all need time for reflection and imagining.  That was well said.  The trick is finding that time, as well as continuing to flex the brain so that imagination continues to be a possibility.  Now begins the hard part of courses such as these – trying to create and maintain community.  All of the right people are in that room – lots of really bright and passionate folks.  I’m excited to be learning with them.  Should be good.  #