Updated with links. cross-posted at cheryloakes.com
Many of us are in Philadelphia for the International Society of Technology and Education 2011. If you are reading this and you are not here in Philly, then I hope you have found some of the keynotes or sessions online athttp://ISTE.org . Here is thekeynote.
The conference opening keynote began with some energetic dancers who ROCKED the house. NextADOBE presented Student Voices, one of many student-produced videos.You can view some examples here. This particular movie ended with a child saying "The end, (pause) the beginning." (go to blackscreen)
For some of us it is the end of the school year, for others of us it is part of a vacation with school beginning again in a couple of weeks. Regardless of what our internal or seasonal clock says we are at ISTE and we are allUnlocking Potential.
All that I have seen and heard here, so far, is about passion. Why else would over 20,000 educators from around the world take time and often personal expense to get to this gathering in Philadelphia, PA USA?
The keynote today was amashup ofDr. Stephen Covey,Muriel Summers, principal of A. B. Coombs, an elementary school in North Carolina, the facilitator, and two well- spoken, fifth grade, students.
Leadership is communicating people's worth and potential, so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves.
Dr. Stephen Covey, ISTE 2011 Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Covey video-conferenced into the venue. His message was so powerful and the examples so meaningful that it felt as though Dr. Covey was in the room speaking to us. Principal Muriel Summers then spoke of how she and her staff transformed her school, students, and community over the past ten years using Dr. Covey's principles. She believes these times of challenge are really times of great opportunity, if we approach it that way! Her challenge of ten years ago has also been her greatest opportunity. Ms. Summers believes we are most creative when our backs are against the wall. She says we have the power to reshape education as we know it - right now! You can see how her school has been transformed at this site.
by Chris Olson
Transformation begins with a change of heart, not a change of program.
"Leave your heart print on your students."
Muriel Summers, keynote, ISTE 2011 Philadelphia, PA
The End
and for all of us the beginning.
