Cathy Nelson’s Professional Thoughts

Anyone know the Beatles song that goes, “Baby You Can Drive my Car…”?

Along about Thursday evenings I’m delving into my iTunes looking for material to load up on my ipod for my weekend 170 mile trip home to my family. In order to listen to the radio, I’d have to channel surf every 30 miles or so. I have an ipod playlist called “1daysdrive.” What an odd name, you may be thinking, but I couldn’t generate any creative juices for the title of that playlist, and so to ensure it’s the FIRST one listed, I stuck a 1 at the beginning. That’s pretty creative, isn’t it? (Not my car, but I do drive a silver Sebring!)

Anyway, this last week I was looking for audio files to put in there to get me from Myrtle Beach to Rock Hill (South Carolina). So I selected 2 Guiding Lights, Kidcast #45 Speed Networking, two Wes Fryer podcasts (Moving at the Speed of Creativity, ), Geek!ed! #92, and if time permitted, Larry King Show w/ guest Jack Hanna. (Note: yes, the Larry King podcast is video, but I can still listen and enjoy most of the time. )

Yes, the soaps are my indulgence, and best they take roughly 25 minutes each. But I’m blogging about listening to one of Wes Fryer’s podcasts.

I have a confession to make. I almost skipped this one, as technically I had a little more than my 3-hour drive on the playlist. I was skeptical—social studies was never my forte, and the topic for this podcast, “21st Century Cartography,” did not interest me in the least. I grabbed it though, b/c I knew David Jakes has become the Google Earth expert lately, and since I had familiarity with David Jakes and Google Earth, I thought why not? Here is how Wes described it in his post:

This podcast features a recording of David Jakes’ excellent presentation about Google Maps and Google Earth at TechForum Southwest in Austin, Texas, on November 2, 2007. Every subject can be studied within a geographical context. Two freely available tools, Google Earth and Google Maps can be used by teachers and students to create rich learning environments that merge content, media, and geography to make learning truly engaging…

I guess what grabbed my attention was the “every subject studied in a geographical context.” I tell you it was well worth my time. I found myself answering aloud in my car the questions Jakes was asking the audience, expressing shock and disbelief at no answers or delayed, tentative answers. I know my kids use Google Earth at school—I didn’t download it, but it’s on almost every workstation in the library. I even came in and twittered @djakes how wonderful it was and would he consider a Ustream of that same preso for my teachers! Well low and behold, he direct messaged me that we could talk, and I do believe it will happen! David Jakes even followed up last night with a Skypechat too. I told my principal, who asked about our options for a video conference. I shared that I had successfully used Skype/Yugma and Ustream at school, which were both viable solutions, and our state offers any educator a portal into Elluminate too, and we could probably get district support for that one. So she said let’s go for it, and is currently checking her calendar for an appropriate date or two. So I am so excited to have this as a distinct possibility for our faculty/staff. I just hope it truly comes to fruition. If you have not listened to this one, here is that podcast.

I have to thank Wes Fryer, b/c he is constantly challenging my thinking, and bringing some of the most dynamic speakers, presenters, and learning into my world via his blog/podcasts. I would have never even thought to pursue this had I not taken a chance and listened to a podcast that at first thought, almost did not make the cut. But I knew Wes never disappoints me w/ his material, so I listened. I am so glad I did! Yes Wes (and David Jakes too, I guess), baby you can drive my car!

I am so looking forward to arriving in Philadephia for the Educon2.0 so graciously hosted by Chris Lehmann and his school, the Science Leadership Academy. As the weekend draws closer, all I can think about is all the f2f meetings with fellow friends from my network! While I have met some f2f (back at EdubloggerCon in Atlanta, GA June 2007) I know many of them do not remember me.

Here’s a short list of who I will see, some for the very first time ever f2f:

• Joyce Valenza - fellow teacher librarian, panel expert/co-panelist for upcoming Pilly Educon 2.0 & Necc 08
• Carolyn Foote - fellow teacher librarian, co-panelist @ Educon and NECC 08
  
• David Jakes - Digital Storytelling and Google Earth Guru; it’s a secret, but he has agreed to do a workshop on GE/GM for my school using either Ustream or Skype/Yugma–and I suppose I could even look into an Elluminate session since the state of SC has access for educators; Jakes is also serving unofficially as my blogging mentor (check out his new site) as I contemplate the move to a new domain/blogging platform; Jakes was also the person who allowed me to “piggy-back” via Skypechat into some of the BLC sessions, even tho he didn’t know me from Adam.
  
• Lisa Durff - Twitter friend, K12 Online Conference Presenter, Webcast Academy graduate and podcaste, and WOW2 friend!
• Kristin Hokanson - Twitter and WOW2 friend
• John Pederson - EdubloggerCon Atalanta, Twitter, Skype, POnce, and WOW2 buddy–John knows everyone and is a lot of fun!
• Liz Davis - Twitter and blogging friend who began after me but has absolutely eclipsed me! Liz is kindly letting me ride from the airport to the hotel Friday a.m. in the rental car she has secured!
• Will Richardson - EdubloggerCon and Ustream friend–he doesn’t follow me in Twitter, but i do have him calling me out by name and location from a Ustream with his brother-in-law, which tells me I’m in his radar somewhere. Woot!
• Jen Wagner - WOW2 leader, twitter friend, blogger friend, Second Life mentor/friend, Scrabulous shark, and another unofficial mentor in my transition to a new domain and blogger program!
• Ryan Bretag - SL friend, twitter friend, blogger extraordinary
• Brian C. Smith - formerly Mobileminded twitter friend and great blogger
• Sylvia Martinez - K12 Online Presenter and my first twitter mentor as I was learning!
• DK the first person to ever direct message me in Twitter–freaked me out!
• Chris Lehmann - let me Ustream into his Ustream–fun! Also a twitter friend, EdubloggerCon friend, great blogger, and AWESOME principal! I brag to my principal all the time about Chris and his 21st century forward thinking.
  

Of course i am drawing from memory alone and if I would take time to visit the Educon Wiki I could probably identify many more bloggers and twitter friends I admire, follow, read, and aspire to be like. I am so hoping to have a real blast at this “unconference” conference and give as much as I get knowledge-wise while there. Look out Philly, here I come–ready or not. God I hope I don’t freeze to death!