Lucky ME!
Jun 20th, 2008 by Cathy Nelson
Next week right here in little ol’ South Carolina, I will be privy to two expert voices!! Welcome to true southern charm and manners Marc Prensky and Ewan McIntosh!
Welcome Marc!
Coming to Rock Hill (my official hometown) Marc Prensky is giving a keynote at a local conference for this school district. My husband is part of the planning committee, and yesterday he informed me that the coordinator of the conference (which I am not officially attending or participating in) said I was welcome to come hear Prensky. I guess this coordinator knows how excited I would be–meaning, I suppose, he recognizes that I’m a forward thinker too, and clamor after forward thinkers, either virtually through blogs, ustreams, and other networking or in person, like conferences. Whatever the reason, I am so excited to know I can attend for at least Prensky’s part of this conference. I won’t be able to ustream so don’t ask. The school district does not allow outside computers connectivity (wonder how they will deal with Prensky’s?) I’m still very excited. Will it look bad if I steal a front row seat for a conference that I am neither a paying or contributing member of? The uber-geek in me will be in full swing for sure. The ultra nerd in me also wants to talk to him AND get maybe I’ll even ask for an autograph. Confession–I’m an edtech groupie!
Welcome Ewan!
Ewan McIntosh will be keynoting the first day of the Greenville County School District’s Upstate Technology Conference. This one is absolutely FREE! I have a preso there at 8:00 am, and then at 9:15, Ewan does his keynote! I am so excited! Ewan was very instrumental last summer in making sure many virtual participants could participate in back-channels at NECC and the Building Learning Communities conferences. It made me realize there is a whole different way to enjoy conferences and get professional development, right from the conference I am at AND from my own living room if I am not present. I just emailed the UTC coordinators to inquire about Ustream possibilitis, and I will let you know what they say.
On a sad note, I will not get to enjoy David Jakes as keynote speaker for day 2 of the UTC. Isn’t it cool though that he will also be in SC? And he does indeed have a history in SC as part of the CSRA and the Department of Wildlife, though I’ve heard him talk about that time in his life, and though he is complimentary of his job, well, I’ll just say he doesn’t seem to like SC as a home (but of course that is my take after some “virtual” conversations.) Maybe next week when he is here, someone can get an official and 100% accurate opinion from him directly. Thursday I’ll be in Columbia, SC working with a group from across our entire state to hash out concerns relevant to school library media specialists. Perhaps more details to come later. Then Friday, we fly out to San Antonio for NECC.
Yes this is going to be a VERY exciting week coming up!
Attribution:
Nope I have to confess I’m the ultimate Edtech Groupie
. But don’t tell anyone — it can be our secret. I’ve even tried to get a twitter follower to get a sign with my name and stand next to David Warlick to get a photo with him (maybe you could do it for me?). Here’s my photo with Marc. Although I do disagree with Digital Natives/immigrants 
.
@Sue – Now you have me on a mission! I am going to try oh so hard to get a pix of me/Ewan, me/Marc and me(with a sign that says Sue Waters–or a picture of Sue Waters) with David Warlick. Point to me a photo you like of you self so I can put it in my cnference bag!!
Laughing really loudly. One of my mates in the UK had a meal with Ewan and spoke about me with Ewan (apparently). Wonder if Ewan remembers and is feeling hunted by Sue Waters
. I think the one from The Edublogger probably. It’s good to know that she who is in one of the most isolated Capital cities in the World can still fulfill her Groupie needs. Good luck on your mission.
I can’t wait to meet you next week at UTC! I guess I’ll have to bring my camera so I can take a photo of you and Ewan!
Hey Cathy! I’m presenting 4 (yes, I MUST be out of my mind!!) and hope to see you sometime at the conference! All the ITF’s from my district are coming and we are all looking forward to it.
Danita
@Pat & @Danita–you can find me on the FRONT ROW for Ewan’s keynote!! I am on a mission to get a photo with myself and Ewan!