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=Welcome to my Wiki's!=

toc My wiki space has begun with a series of notes and tips from workshops I attended at this years 2012 Summer Technology Institute, hosted by the University of Maine at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, Maine. The week long conference was an excellent opportunity to broaden my technological horizons with the aim of implementing new skills and tools in the classroom, as well as confer with other educators towards self-improvement.

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Some of the pages are more detailed than others, dependent on the activity we were involved in at the time. Feel free to comment where you see fit. Thank you for visiting!

Thank You
//I would like to extend my personal gratitude to all of the technology instructors and administrators who made this conference such a huge success. Your time and knowledge was// //extremely valuable. You are the pebble in the pond that begins the ripples.//

=Workshop #1: VR Photography (with Larry Cassis)=
 * //Photography as a Learning Tool//**

As a facilitator, bringing your own passions into the classroom not only can engage students, but spark new interestes, perspectives and relationship with students. I have always enjoyed taking a snapshot of a moment; a place, person, event, object, feeling, and documenting it in an artistic manner. Therefore when given the opportunity to expand upon my interests with photography and implement them into the classroom, I jumped at the prospect!

I took two workshops during the 2012 Summer Technology Institute involving photography as learning tools, both by an educator named Larry Cassis. His similar interests and experience in teaching high school biology was inspirational. Our first workshop involved learning how to create panoramic photographs. The concept being you take multiple (slightly overlapping) photos that eventually circle back to the same image. Add to this a "top" and "bottom" photo and you complete a spherical world from a 2 dimensional medium.

**__Classroom utilization:__**
By using panoramic photographs (VR photography) we are no longer limited and bound by physical restraints. We are able to explore the world from our computers and the use of the internet. However, why not take a virtual tour of another place, examining the culture. Or, have students create their own panoramic photograph and let their peers explore their created environment. One consideration when using this tool is not just the outcome. Certainly we should encourage students to take reflet and evaluate the finished product (be it something they created or or explored), however, we must emphasize the journey in collaboration with the "final destination".

**__Limitations:__**
Unfortunately, and as with any new technological hobby equipment is necessary and can often be pricey. I've included a link below that has a range of equipment with a range of prices. As educators our creativity can be restricted by budgets. Panoramic photography can certainly involve some pricey equipment, however, there are also many ways to circumnavigate these cost limitations. If you do not have a tripod or panoramic adaptor, "hand held" shots can be obtained with the same result (some practice may be involved). Similarly, the editing process requires specific software that is capable of stitching your shots together. You can purchase these programs from various vendors, or a cost efficient method is simply to use trial versions. PTugi is an excellent stitching software that offers trials. The tradeoff is a watermark on the finished product, but the result nevertheless demonstrates the concept of panoramic photography.

**__Resources for panoramic photography:__**
On the photo you'll find a link to Nodal Ninja website who provide multiple services, tips and equipment.

**__Exploring and becoming comfortable:__**
[|Larry Cassis] not only gave explanation of how to use panoramic photography in the classroom, he also showed us [|finished products] that we were able to explore to get a better feel for the tool. His website has many examples of how a virtual tour may work and gives some explanation on what equipment he used. Similarly, exploring other sites can lead to utilizing various "tours" in classes.

If you are interested in discovering methods to create panoramic photography the internet naturally provides a plethora of information. [|Fromparis.com] has great instructional videos and tips that can guide you and your students through creating these projects with little time contraint.

=__Workshop #2: Water quality and photography (with Larry Cassis)__=

Our second class with Larry Cassis had specific utilization for using photography and video features in a biology or science class. Our class created video clips of water insects from a local pond and implemented them into powerpoint presentations. As a class we used digital media to explore invertebrates under the microscope, that was then projected onto the class screen.

**__Influence and utilization in the classroom:__**
Until now, students in a science class have usually each had a microscope and were instructed to find parts, structures, and creatures and so forth. In this set up, Larry demonstrates the efficiency and collaboration of having one microscope with a video camera attachment (with recording capabilities) that then fed into the projector. Students took turns to find invertebrates and put them under the microscope. We then did a group "file share", downloaded all of the invertebrate videos to our desktop, from which point we created slides with these video links embedded. We didn't have time during the workshop to develop these slides to a professional level, but the experience was a great starter and gave much inspiration for future class ideas. [|Examples]

= = =**__Workshop #3: Online Photo Editing, Sharing and Storing__**=
 * With** Sarah Sutter.

Varying types of programs. Some use a cloud based system some don't. Some may also require a log in where as some may not. Either may be beneficial to use as a teacher in the classroom.

The initial program we used to do digital photo editing was a free site called [|Sumo.fm] One of the first steps to consider when using any online editing software is to toggle through the various tools //before// even bringing in a photo. All elements should be the same across programs; they'll be in different places but likely be very similar.

There are sub-tools that enhance one particular type of tool. The "sub" tool bar will often change as you select different tools

**__Editing Steps:__**

 * 1) Rotate
 * 2) Crop
 * 3) Resize
 * 4) Duplicate image (this helps with layering and consequently saving various edits of an image so you don't have to start from scratch if a problem occurs)
 * 5) Adjust colours: Begin with contrast and exposure, then begin adjusting colour hues and shadows.

__**My Own Example from Class:**__

 * //Before://**
 * //After://**

**HELPFUL TIPS**:

 * Do NOT use auto adjust! You'll have better common sense than most programs
 * Zoom in to make small adjustments and then zoom out to check alterations.
 * Treat your original files like negatives - keep it safe, don't handle it, and don't open and resave. JPG is a lossy file type - every time you open, tweak and re-save, it re-compresses and you lose image detail (and see something called jpg artifacts in the image). Instead, duplicate the file and work from that.

__**Printing**__:
Despite all the work you may put into taking and editing a photo, printing it may make all that work seem pointless based on the result. Have no fear, it may simply be because the computer or printer are not configured appropriately. To avoid this (and avoid going to large printing companies who may have similar issues) you can use online printing companies who do configure their printing services to your photo editing demands. Sarah Sutter suggested her go to printing service as Smugmug.com.



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=**__Workshop #4: Digital Portfolio__**=
 * //With Kern Kelley//**


 * __What are the benefits of a digital portfolio?__**
 * If projects are submitted the same way they are stored (digitally) or are later digitally stored, it makes the process of creating and maintaining a digital portfolio easiest.
 * Students can keep their portfolio past high shool
 * Can use it for professional development
 * Easy access; globally

//"What happens to all the work that students do in their portfolio if it isn't digital? Perhaps it ends up in Mom's attic!" - Kern Kelley//

Students can use google tools to manage their [|workflow] in their own digital portfolio. NOTE: The digital portfolio, despite being online, is not available for EVERYONE to see online, but simply select school staff and parents/ guardians.

**__How do we create a digital portfolio?__**
Schools are presently moving towards Google and the various tools available. The application and utilization clearly are dependent on how involved and comfortable the instructor and school is with technology, and to what degree they integrate these technological features into their classrooms.

**__Portfolio types:__**

 * 1) Repository for everything: Google Doc's
 * 2) Educational Portfolio: Spreadsheet
 * 3) Showcase Portfolio: "Business card"

**__Ways teachers collect information from students:__**

 * 1) Students create a subject specific Collection in Docs
 * 2) Share the collection with the teacher
 * 3) Teachers embedded the [|Assessment Collector] form.
 * 4) Finally, teachers "hand out" a [|portfolio cover sheet] that students fill in by copying and pasting the link into a spreadsheet.

The increase of technology in the format of a digital portfolio is essentially a **//shift of control//** so that the students have a higher degree of responsibility. By digitizing students work there is also a higher degree of transparency in their work.

**__Examples of students collecting non-digital work:__**
(Go to slide 14)

**__Questions and concerns answered by Mr. Kelley about digitizing portfolios?__**

 * Dependency on the internet?
 * Students today find the internet to access social media and therefore will be able to access the internet in order to complete homework or other assignments. Schools that are implementing larger amounts of technology in their schools are also capable of finding alternative methods for students to access the internet.
 * What happens if there was some technological failure?
 * Usually these don't happen frequently enough for it to be a reason to NOT use technology.
 * Health consequences?
 * Presently not an issue because students are still being active and ultimately are accessing technology in other means (other than just a computer)

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=__Workshop #5: Reverse Teaching__= //**(with Keith Kelley)**//

I found this to be one of the best workshops I attended all week because of the practicality and application of the reverse teaching principles. Although Mr. Kelley spoke largely on his classes and the projects he does with his students, his examples were extraordinary and exemplified the benefits of reverse teaching as a style of teaching, rather than just a tool.

Firstly, there are varying levels of reverse teaching. Secondly, you don't reverse teach the same with different ages and grades Mr. Kelley believes that having transparency in his classroom empowers his students.

**REVERSE TEACHING**: Have students do things for you. They will learn it better by doing or teaching.
A difficult element of being a teacher is learning to walk away so the students will make mistakes. Mistakes = learning and teachable moments. //"I want them to make mistakes"//

"Learn how to[| flip the script and teach backwards], where students teach the class by using hands on projects and classroom management tools. See in action how to put yourself at the “back” of the class while your students take the main stage. Rather than being the “sage on the stage”, empower your students to become the keeper of the knowledge keys. We will learn how to put students front and center by participating in a hands on environment building cars, skateboards, robots and prototypes. We will accomplish this while all the time maintaining aTransparent Classroomwhere parents, principals and pupils can “see” their work online anytime and anywhere."

Reverse teaching is an excellent tool to challenge students and promote creative thinking! Why not "flip the script". 1. Video lesson 2. Homework is to watch the video (quizzes* are done online) 3. Next class period is //doing// the video

//[*Grading Conditional formating in a google excel doc: "If it contains/ doesn't contain" then colour cell "red".]//


 * These are the learning modifications for special needs- video allows student to watch lesson at own pace. Quizzes may be catered to these students

Mr. Kelley uses various teaching techniques for the age range he teaches that are associated with both Piaget and Vygotsky's cognitive development theory. He also encourages multiage learning where students teach other students, specifically with differences in ages.

__**Quotes for thoughts:**__
//"Education has trained us the game of school. But when the kid leaves the classroom do they know how to do that? As teachers we don't know" - Keith Kelley//

//"The journey is sometimes more important than the outcome" - Keith Kelley//
 * Younger students may need "prizes" to help motivate them, but this lessons as students mature and develop.

__**Questions**__:
What kind of time commitment do you put in by your degree of transparency. The responsibility is largely on the students which complements the basic premise of reverse teaching. Through time you learn better strategies that become more efficient.

Is the initial time commitment you put into creating the video's, websites, quizzes (etc.) overwhelming "Technological curve". Although time may be great to begin with, later the effort is almost "negligible".

What about socioeconomic and technological differences? It is always important to include various methods. You can always print everything digital and shouldn't be dissuaded by the concern of technology. As far as socioeconomic variants are concerned, there are always ways to provide and facilitate resources.

Do you see much collaboration with other courses? As much as I can. Some teachers really enjoy it, some don't.

**__Reverse Teaching Tips__**:

 * Stand behind computers
 * Students run projector- gives them experience and can utilize students that do not always pay attention.
 * "God complex"- the belief and act that we "lecture" students. Students do not get the chance to facilitate learning. If we want them to be life long learners we have to approach teaching differently.
 * Asynchronous grouping: groups are made with students in different class periods. This forces the students to communicate with one another (usually google docs). It also forces them to divide work amongst themselves. By 7th grade Mr. Kelley allows them to choose their own groups (because the lazy students typically group together). Do have to build in time near the end for physical collaboration.
 * As the facilitator, you can make **everything** that gets posted onto //blogger// to be administered and approved by you.
 * You have to make it real world and applicable for them.
 * There is value in games: This generation of children can think 3 dimensionally.
 * "Prototyping is making mistakes"

__**For 5th and 6th Graders:**__
//Each grade has different blogs://

Fifth grade site:

Sixth grade site:



__**For 7th Graders who get their laptops:**__
Mr. Kelley, at age appropriate levels, intentionally allows students to use their computers for the inital 5 - 10 minutes. Believes it conditions students to //learn how to stop//. They are allowed a little more freedom and access to get this out of their systems. It also fosters relationship with students. It also provides self examples so that when students later say "I don't know how to do it" you can approach them by responding: "But you didn't know how to play that game. How did you figure out how to play"



__**For 8th Graders:**__
Students will be the focus in the video lessons. Also adds capability for parents to become involved with google docs. Students are responsible for figuring out their own programs using tutorials and limited initial help from the teacher. Still may have to motivate students with prizes: "The first one to figure out how to use *this* feature on itunes gets an itunes gift card!" - and suddenly all the students are trying to figure it out. It may not be that students are trying to figure out programs or problems **for** you when you motivate them with prizes, however, if we are trying to encourage **learning,** motivation is not a bad thing.



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=__**Workshop #6: Online "Magazine" Publishing (with Sarah Sutter)**__=

Slideshare is an excellent resource for presentations.

When designing anything, make sure you **"PARC it"**
 * __The 4 Principles of Graphic Design:__**
 * 1) **Proximity**: //visually group related elements//(texts and/or images)
 * 2) If they're not related, don't put them next to each other.
 * 3) Organize your ideas
 * 4) Examples [[image:Screen shot 2012-06-27 at 2.39.29 PM.png link="@http://www.slideshare.net/freysh/graphic-design-slideshow-12285886"]][[image:Screen shot 2012-06-27 at 2.40.10 PM.png]]
 * 5) **Alignment:** //the placement of text and graphics so they line up on the page.//
 * 6) //Create order//
 * 7) //Organize things in the pages//
 * 8) //Group items//
 * 9) //Create visual connections//
 * 10) **Repetition:** //You should repeat some aspect of the design through out the entire project. It is consistant and makes the project look connected. (Max. of two fonts)//
 * 11) //Example: Andy Warhol//
 * 12) [[image:andy.jpeg link="@http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=677&tbm=isch&tbnid=B8UbuvpngBNnCM:&imgrefurl=http://s036.pgerding.edu.glogster.com/andy-warhol&docid=lmhBbKIJxRixFM&imgurl=http://edu.glogster.com/media/2/8/56/60/8566061.jpg&w=400&h=400&ei=NlTrT9z_GOby0gGem4nTBQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=383&sig=112673598677888892281&page=2&tbnh=153&tbnw=153&start=21&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:20,s:21,i:276&tx=86&ty=69"]]
 * 13) **Contrast**: //Creates an exciting graphic element to your page. Allows important things to pop out at the reader.//
 * 14) //You can create contrast with// font style //, SIZE, or// ** colour **//.//
 * White space often gives visual space on a page.
 * Unity holds the entire project together

__**Lets look at an example that was published:**__ //Go to slide 16//

__**Tips and suggestions:**__ __Filler text__ __Big pictures:__
 * Allows us to use text without having to write out various paragraphs (etc.)
 * Can use something called Lorem Ipsum as filler words to play around with format and design
 * Do not be afraid of big pictures. It breaks up the text and keeps the eye and mind interested.
 * Can cut photos into various shapes (use sumo.fm as a great photo editing program)

The non-designer's design book gives great information and tips about various design components. Issuu.com is a free eMagazine website, as is Calameo.
 * __Other resources:__**

=Workshop #7: Building your Personal Learning Network (PLN) (with Sarah Sutter)=

The //"Networked Teacher".// We want to connect in a number of ways. Can use sites and wiki's as incoming information sources.
 * Connectivism** = an educational strategy. Learning through networking and being connected. George Seimens and Stephen Downs - intellectuals who discuss this concept

**__How do you make networking work for you?!__**

 * Actively have to build your network.
 * Find tools that //work// for you

**Tips for building your PLN**

 * 1) Start slowly and find mentor(s) to help you.
 * 2) Use the same username across tools.
 * 3) Share as much as you take. Share resources, successes, failures, other connections
 * 4) Ask as much as you answer
 * 5) Start conversations
 * 6) Try new TOOLS before you decide they're not worth the time.
 * 7) Comment on other people's blogs, photos, wikis.
 * 8) Lifelong learning is the key!

**__Online presence:__**
Good connections far out weigh the potential for bad connections. Using your name allows people to find you easier. It also creates online honesty and integrity.
 * Have a footprint. You want employers to find you online when you're applying for a job.
 * Use same avatar photo. It's easier to remember people's networks if they keep the photo. Screen shots usually work as excellent avatar photos

**__Having your onw RSS (Real Sender Syndication)____:__**
Old way: Go out to favorite news and blog sites. New way: News and blogs come to you. Like netflix compared to the video store.


 * 1) Need a home for reading new posts.
 * 2) Google Reader.
 * 3) Set up a connection between a "reader" and your favorite websites. Called "subscribing".
 * 4) You can look for buttons that will suscribe to your reader.

//*YOU CAN RSS TO A YOUTUBE FEED!!!//

Reader allows you to search blogs. Classroom blogs = written by students

__**Diigo**__
Can be used as way to annotate/highlight, notes, screenshots on WEBSITES!

**__Twitter:__**
//**Tips!**//  Can be used for professional development. Can be used at a conference. There is i ntentionality behind #tag. Is usually a good idea to scan terms for hashtag before tweeting a post in regards to linking YOUR tweet to other similar subjects. When you add someone as following, make lists so you can search more efficiently. You can find a list of ed chats at: www.cybraryman.com/chats.html
 * 1)   [|Twitter.com]
 * 2)  Who are you? First impressions only happen once! Trust & Transparency
 * 3)  Think before you tweet. People will decide to follow back by your profile, the by your tweets. Have some tweets (and re-tweets!) posted before you start following people so they know what to expect if they follow you back.
 * 4)  (FYI: all tweets are being archived by the Library of Congress. Consider yourself informed and tweet accordingly.)
 * 5)  Follow 50+ people to start.
 * 6)  DON'T feel like you need to read ALL their tweets! It's a river/fire hose and you are better off just sipping now and again.
 * 7)  SEARCH twitter for topics using keywords or hashtags (#) like #edchat or #arted or #math
 * 8)  Engage in the conversation! Reply to others with @username, participate in an #edchat.

__**<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;">Online Communities: **__
<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;">There are many different places online where you can "log on and link up". A few of them are included below to explore. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #360860; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">[|Classroom2.0] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a community of over 60,000 educators from all over the world. Its focus is web2.0 technologies and connecting teachers to each other. It's a great place to ask a question, make connections with other teachers for global projects, etc.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> [|The Educator's PLN]     <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Just what it says, this is a Ning site that serves as a PLN for educators. Note that they have a list and links to other networks of teachers in the left sidebar that may have specific relevance for you. (10,000+ members)

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #360860; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">[|Global Education Collaborative] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a community for teachers and students interested in global education. Contribute by adding media, conversation, and collaborative project ideas.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> [|EdTechTalk]  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">This group of educators gathers around webcasts on a wide range of educational topics, and learning about webcasting to provide opportunities for educators to create their own webcast series. Their Webcast Academy is a great opportunity to learn about webcasting, and their weekly webcasts are available as podcasts (see the podcast page).

__**Online Learning:**__
Sarah Sutter suggested speaking to your principle about doing some of these conferences or online learning tools, with a reflective paper to count as CEU's. What a great way to save yourself some time and travel, and the district some money!

__**Webinars and Virtual or Distance Conferences**__
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> [|Classroom 2.0 Live] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;">Weekly (usually) webinars on a topic, tool or panel discussion. Live chat available for interacting with others. [|Archive] has a TON of webinars (check the topics list on the side rather than scrolling down). Each post has the archived webinar, the archived chat, links to resources, often the video recording of the webinar or the slide deck presented.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> [|Future of Education] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;">Steve Hargadon (founder of Classroom 2.0 among other things) interviews key thinkers on ideas related to the future of education. The site lists live events and has on the left sidebar links to MP3 files of past interviews for download.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> [|K12 Online Conference] Posted Nov 28-Dec9 2011  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #626768; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The 2011 K-12 Online Conference theme is “Purposeful Play,” and this year the conference will be entirely asynchronous. This means there will be no “live events,” but all presentations will be posted online for participants to view and comment on days and at times of their choosing. As in the past, all conference presentations will be available for online viewing as well as offline/mobile viewing via <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">[|our iTunesU channel] <span style="color: #626768; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">. The archives of past years can be accessed through the tabbed bar at the top of the page (by year).

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> [|Ed Tech Talk] - [|Schedule]   <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;">Here's a description of ETT by one of the contributors / community members: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #535353; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,Helvetica;">EdTechTalk is simply the number one source of up-to-the-minute educational technology information and discussion available anywhere in the world, and it's FREE! Educators participate in ETT to explore the outer limits of educational technology. You will find a new world full of people who enjoy sharing what they know and listening to your experiences. Everyone adds value to the community. It's like an online commune where everyone shares the bounty from the ideas generated. <span style="color: #535353; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,Helvetica;">*Scroll down for the archives of the most recent shows. Use the SHOWS drop down to see specific shows past webinars.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> [|Library 2.0 Conference] Nov 2-4 2011  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;">The [|recording links here] are available after the conference. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4e4e54; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Subject strands include the changing roles of libraries and librarians, the increasing impact of digital media and the e-book revolution, open educational resources, digital literacy, shifts from information consumption to production (Web 2.0), multimedia and gaming spaces, libraries as community centers, the growth of individualized and self-paced learning, the library as the center of new learning models, understanding users in the digital age, assessing service delivery, and defining leadership and information professional careers in a networked and changing world.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> [|Global Online Conference November 14-18] 2011 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4e4e54; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">The conference is a collaborative, world-wide community initiative involving students, educators, and organizations at all levels. It is designed to significantly increase opportunities for building education-related connections around the globe while supporting cultural awareness and recognition of diversity. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4e4e54; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"> [|Schedule page for GMT+9 Tokyo] - all sessions listed, links to participate

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> Educon 2.4 (Philadelphia, January 2012) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;">Educon is a conference that expects and accommodates distance participants. It also archives many of the presentations with videos of their workshop/conversations, and most of the presenters have extensive online resources available via links from the Educon page. It's well worth a look. Here is the [|Livestream page] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #565555; font-family: 'Lucida Grande','Lucida Sans Unicode',Arial,sans-serif;">