I should have posted this before ‘Hooked on Thinking ‘ but I wasn’t ready.
My post which is below, I wrote soon after EducampWelly in May. I pushed my ponder aside and forgot about it. Tonight I have read it again and thought I should post it. I don’t know why but it is my ponder and interesting for me to read.
I feel like I have come back after a meltdown. I know what caused it so I am now able to focus my energy in better areas.
This term I had great ambitions of blogging weekly for myself, class and photography. None of it has happened. I have been plodding along with my students and have become very connected with their maths learning and their inquiry but everything else has flapped about my head. I realised this when I went to EducampWelly with some great tweeps. I sat in the smack down wondering what the hell can I give this lot, I felt empty. So I decided just to go to discussions that interested me. I seemed to be more interested in getting something to eat than share.
Near the end of the day I tried to Face time Pete from my iPad2 (awesome) but that didn’t work so outcome the trusty cell phone (no Smartphone yet!) I told him it was a waste of time. It was disappointing to hear me say that because I had travelled down with @barbs1 and @teachernz and had a fabulous time. We stayed with @dragonsinger57 on Friday night then we all headed into Educamp together. After Educampwelly we checked into where we were staying with @allanahk and @fionagrant joining us for the afternoon, then dinner. How, could I say it was a waste of time! We had great conversations, shared and laughed a lot. Joe gave Michael and I a tour of Wellington nightlife after a lovely curry. We were so full we wanted to walk some of it off. That was fun and the photographic opportunities a plenty.
After reflecting again with Pete I realised that I gained a lot from the weekend; stronger friendships with professionals who I admire, a touch of VLN, Shakespeare on twitter, connecting interested people to Edmodo, The Grid for cyber safety and the very talented Chris Betcher’s, Virtual Staffroom podcasts .
I am planning a trip to EducampAuck in August. I am really looking forward to contributing this time and enjoying every moment. I wish I could attend EducampDunners, maybe if Grabaseat makes a good offer 🙂
When I read back over this I realise that EducampAuck will be a fabulous experience for me because of my experience at EducampWelly. I will be prepared and will give more to the discussions I attend or maybe I will run a discussion. Now there is any idea, what will I do………………?
So What Now What 