Yesterday, I had the amazing opportunity to attend ECOO, and even be involved in two presentations as well. It was the most incredible day, and I don’t know how to take all of that and put it into a blog post here. For over a year, I’ve been communicating online through Twitter with numerous outstanding educators. I learn so much from my PLN, and without a doubt, all of these educators have made me a better teacher.
Yesterday was special though, because yesterday, I got the opportunity to meet so many of them. I almost felt “star struck.” These are the people that have inspired me, and here I was sitting with them at breakfast, conversing with them after the presentations, and even presenting alongside them.
It all hit me when I walked into the Sheraton Parkway North Hotel, and was almost immediately greeted by @mkgoindi. Before yesterday, she was just a face on her Twitter page, but yesterday, she was real. Wow! Then I go to register, and I see @zbpipe, @carolgau, @brendasherry, and @lchupa shortly after. I follow many of them to the first presentation on the Livescribe Pen, and then meet @gill_ville and @lisaneale while I’m there.
I leave this presentation, and bump into @thecleversheep in the hallway, and then move onto @kentmanning‘s presentation. There I receive such a warm welcome from such an amazing person! It’s like we knew each other, and yet, we never met before. Absolutely amazing!
As the day continues, I get to meet so many other terrific educators, including @cgu92, @cyndiejacobs, @snbeach, @colinjagoe, @jaccalder, @misterpuley, @mrjarbenne, @aforgrave, @peterskillen, @kimmcgill, @danikabarker, @msjweir, @mswu, and @cakewley. I even get to present alongside some of them, and I’m still awed by the opportunity.
When driving home last night with @mrjarbenne and @misterpuley, I realized though what this day was really about: it was about connections. From the connections that I made inside the hotel to the ones that I continued making on the way out the door, every moment was a memorable one. Let me end by saying, thank you for a great day!
Aviva
Hi Aviva,
Please know that you in turn inspired many people with your presentation too! I was truly impressed by how well integrated technology is, in your gr1 class. While I didn’t officially meet you in person, I was grateful to be in the room when you presented your Pecha Kucha. Thanks for sharing the amazing things that go on in your class too.
Alison (@aliringbull)
Wow! Thank you! That means a lot. I’m so glad that you enjoyed the presentation. Sorry that I didn’t get the chance to meet you in person, but I hope that we do at another time.
Thanks for your comment!
Aviva
Hi Aviva
Thanks to your blog post, I was able to add a couple more great educators on my Twitter list. Your presentation at ECOO was fantastic – to the point that it felt un-real! A lot of primary educators pass up on the great opportunities to integrate technology, thinking that their students are too little for that. Well, if we compare the number of technological devices in these kids’ household when they are born to the number when we were born, it shouldn’t be a surprise as to what their present world and their perspective is like.
Nita (@mrsshori)
Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m sorry that I never got the opportunity to meet you face to face at ECOO, but I’m glad that you were able to come to the presentation. I’m thrilled that you’re now a part of my PLN too!
Thanks Nita!
Aviva
Aviva, You’ve personalized the experience I chose to write about last night. It really is all about relationship-building isn’t it? And once you’ve met a member of your PLN, you’re able to carry on conversations that are deeper than one might expect.
Here’s my first ECOO reflection: http://thecleversheep.blogspot.com/2010/11/learning-in-e-lationship.html
Rodd, thank you so much for your comment! I’m going to check out your post now. I’m so glad that I got a chance to meet you. I’ve learned a lot from you over the past year, and I’m thrilled to have you as a part of my PLN!
Aviva