uLearn Conference
Posted by: Lyn in Education, tags: Christchurch, Education, learning, networks, New Zealand, uLearn Conference, web 2.0, Will RichardsonRecently I attended the uLearn Education Conference in Christchurch, which is a very beautiful city in the South Island of New Zealand. I took this photo from my hotel window. 
The theme of the conference was 21st century technologies and how they allow us to voice our opinion, to make a difference, to connect, collaborate, network and learn. ‘The opportunities go far beyond the simple ability to publish to the web, far beyond the simple use of tools. They revolve around connecting, forming groups, creating personal classrooms and networks.’ (Will Richardson)
- ‘What can you do?’ has been replaced with ‘What can you and your network connections do?’ Knowledge itself is moving from the individual to the individual and his contacts.” (Jay Cross)
- Learning in networks is an ongoing process, not an event.
- The network is always learning
- A Google search puts us in touch with information. A blog search (Technorati) puts us in touch with people.
More important than just publishing on a blog is the ability to create networks around what is published and it’s important for teachers to master the skill of unlearning and relearning.
To sum it up, for me the uLearn Conference was about:
- 21st Century teaching and learning
- The read/write web
- Using the Web to form networks (Blogs, wikis, Twitter)
- Interaction, collaboration, creativity
- The ‘why’ of it all
‘Tipping points’, as explained by Malcolm Gladwell, are the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable. After uLearn08 I think the tipping point for online networking in NZ education is almost here!
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