How I spend my Saturdays

Some might think I'm a little crazy with all the ideas that I am already employing.  So the fact that I spend Saturdays traipsing around Southern California attending conferences to learn even more stuff is simply insanity.  Let's face it: I probably passed insanity awhile ago! We've only been in school for 2 1/2 weeks and 2 of the 3 Saturdays I have been to conferences trying to gather more ideas for improving what I do with students.  And it has been AWESOME, so much so that I thought I should include it as a blog post.

August 9th, I went to Playdate LA (free), as you can probably guess, in LA.  It was fabulous, not because I learned so much, but because I ended up sharing so much.  This was the part I was NOT expecting.  I still think of myself as a "newbie" in the world of technology (and change), but apparently my lurking for the past 6 months (on twitter and blogs) and reading (for endless hours) other's ideas online, as well as attending a few other conferences has REALLY paid off.  I actually know some "stuff" now! The feeling I get from sharing what I have learned was really exhilarating!  I was finding others who were at the place I was 6 months ago, and helping to "fill up their cup" of knowledge was gratifying and at the same I affirmed my confidence in what I have learned.  By putting my students in teams and expecting them to work together EVERY day, they are having the same experiences.  And I can tell how good they feel when they get to contribute to their peer's understanding of a concept we are talking about. Learning is great, but sharing what you learned is SO MUCH MORE!!

August 23rd, I went to EdCamp605 (also free).  The first awesome part was that now that I have a been to enough of these that I actually KNOW people.  I shared a few hugs with people that I had met at Playdate LA and CueRockstar (attended back in July).  In addition, I was able to connect two people that I know, who were both at Twitter Math Camp with me, who did not know each other (it was perfect because they are both in a TOA position and I knew they would enjoy exchanging information.) I sat in some good sessions, and got some good ideas, but I've figured out that it's just not mentally possible to hold onto everything that gets thrown into my brain.  Unless I'm really able to apply it, create something before I leave,  or use it immediately when I get home, it just falls away.  I overheard people talking about Doctopus (a google add-on) and while I participated in a great presentation by @jstevens009  at CueRockstar, I don't remember much about it. Somedays, all that knowledge is just too overwhelming.  You really have to pick and choose and not try to use all of it (at least right away).  I even had @EdtechBUSD amazed at how much change I've already done and that I'm considering using Standards Based Grading.  The more I've pondered our conversation in the past 24 hours, the more I realize that's going to have to wait for a 2015-16 iteration.  There really are not enough hours in my day/week to do all the ideas I have gathered.

While I strongly encourage teachers to attend these wonderful conferences, know that you will need to pause for moments of reflection and your brain will need time to process and USE the information (in order for it to stick).  Keep in mind that this is what our students experience EVERY day when they are in our classes.  We don't often give them reflection time (because we are trying to cover the content so fast).  Students (of all ages) need time to process, and use what they have just learned.  It is essential for growth.  There is a substantial amount of content that falls out of their brains (just like mine) because they don't get to apply, create or use it immediately.  This is the reason why common core is being pushed.  We need students engaging with content at those higher levels if it is going to "stick".

I look forward to the next Saturday session. The networking has been one of the best parts!  I have created a wider circle of colleagues and they are just a tweet away, waiting to help with their resources, experiences, advice or whatever else I need. I've enjoyed every conversation and words of wisdom that have so willingly offered!  I hope that it is all transferring back to my students so that they too look forward to every "session", and that they are encouraged by the work with their peers. That is the "stuff" that will definitely stick!