June 19, 2008
Where are the leaders?
Today I did a session at our annual principal’s conference on social networking. Since the vast majority of tools like MySpace, Facebook, and even professional networks like Classroom 2.0 are blocked, I took the stance that we as educators must educate ourselves and our parents, especially in light of how issues stemming directly from student online interaction seems to find its way into our classrooms, guidance offices, right up to the administrators desks. I’ve presented at the conference several years, but usually in the morning. I was taken aback by the “ghost-town” feeling I had for my 2PM afternoon session. I had roughly fifteen participants. One lady assured me that my topic was popular and relevant, but after lunch folks attending this conference seem to find to “other” things to do. Factor in that it is the next to last day, and well, the lure of the beach was calling too. But honestly, when I attend conferences, I go to 90% of the offerings, and many times you can find me near the front row if I can get to a session early enough. Does this make me an uber-geek? Even in my session today, only one participant sat near the front. This was a new experience for me.
Don’t Preach to the Choir
My attendees seemed generally complimentary, and even one of the conference directors greeted me warmly by name when I arrived. But today I was a wee bit disappointed. Our SC State Department of Education library liaison (Martha Alewine) encourages us to get out and 
speak at different conferences besides our own. She suggests if we are to gain respect in the field, we must stop “preaching to the choir” (presenting to ourselves at our own conference) and branch out and spread our message about information literacy, ICT, and standards-based collaboratively taught engaged learning by presenting at other conferences. What better way to market what you as the teacher librarian have to offer the school and its curriculum? We must help the teacher population see that we can address standards and impact student achievement.
Spread our Message, Support our Colleagues
I generally try to present at our state edtech conference (SCEdTech), the middle school conference (if I remember to do the proposal), and this one. There are not very many “techy” sessions at this conference, as my friend Dennis Richards has noted before, and from his post here, this goes all the way up to the national level. I really like SCASA’s SLI, as I strongly feel administrators are the ones who MOST misunderstand what should be happening in a library, particularly a 21st Century Library. They are also in a position to “from the top down” help us become more of a collaborating and contributing partner for student learning. In years past, I’ve had wonderful reception and positive feedback from my sessions. My session today was later than I’d ever had before, 2PM. I never expected such a low turnout. It was quite frankly a little disheartening.
I Solemnly Promise…
I promise to all future presenters who draw an afternoon or late presentation I will strive to attend if I’m at the conference. Been there, done that. I know what if feels like now to present to an empty room. I’d have liked to have been out on the beach today too. I especially thank the ones who came.
Attribution:
www.flickr.com/photos/76454756@N00/66261081
Filed by Cathy Nelson at 9:46 pm under 21st century,Beach,Conferences,Education,Learning,Library,Professional Development,Social Networks,South Carolina Tagged 21st Century Learning, Professional Development
6 Comments
June 19th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I know it is a cliche but you got to about 15 “Starfish.” Maybe you started something from what you feel are humble beginnings. You are right, the technology supporters need to go to adminstrator conferences to get the message out. I got a small number today for my wiki presentation but they all seemed engaged and intrigued about what I said. Saw the same thing in your presentation. Keep up the faith, it will get better one day.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:21 am
A while back I won a Toyota Tapesty Grant. One of the requirements was to come to the following year’s NSTA Conference and present about the work. We developed a whole school composting project and literally produced compost for our spring “Grandparent’s Day” now (renamed “Special Person’s Day”). Every special guest got a marigold in a small pot grown in our compost.
So, I got to go to Las Vegas with charts and graphs and about 25 sandwich size bags of compost. I was given a presentation time of 4:30 PM on Friday afternoon in an out of the way breakout room on the third floor of the conference center. I got to present to my wife, the guy from Toyota, a lady who used to live in my school district and was curious about her home old town, and my Superintendent who as an old science teacher always goes to NSTA.
Looking out at the vast crowd, I began by telling them the story of the New England preacher who woke early on Sunday morning to find that overnight there was a tremendous snow storm, 2 maybe 3 feet had fallen. The preacher dug his way from the rectory to the church, shovelling the walkways and clearing snow in time for Sunday services. He finished just in time to don his vestments. When he looked out into the church, there was no one there, save Claude, the old farmer who lived way back in the hills. The preacher was impressed but he walked down to the pew and said, “Claude, I am so pleased you got in with all this snow, but you are the only one here. Should I go on with the service?” And Claude answered, “Well, Reverand, if Ah was to go out ta the bahrn ta feed the cows, and only one showed up, I’d sure as hell feed it!” The preacher said, “You know Claude, you are right.” and he returned to the altar and began the service. Inspired by Claude’s dedication he gave it his all, especially the sermon. Two hours of fire and brimstone, God’s rath, the temptations of the devil, redemption and salvaton. At the end of the service he walked down to the front of the church to greet his “congregation”. When Claude came down to the door the preacher asked, “Well, Claude, how did you like it?” And Claude answered, “Well, Reverand, if Ah was to go out ta the bahrn ta feed the cows, and only one showed up, I’d sure as hell feed it, but ah don’t know that I’d GIVE IT THE WHOLE DAMN LOAD!”
And with that I gave a brief 5 minute summary and answered questions for about 5 minutes more.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:50 am
@Steve – Touche! Point made. I did not slight my small audience at all, but rather ave it my all. I thought of it as a “practice run” for the same preso I’m giving next week at a true “tech” conference.
@John – you are correct too. I’m just more accustomed to larger audiences–even from SLI. I’ve been presenting there for a few years, and always had a good large number.
I’m very “over” it this morning. Moving on!
June 25th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Cathy,
I commend you for going outside your comfort zone and presenting to these administrators! Your library liaison is right – we do have to reach out to other educators by presenting best library practices at their conferences. You’ve inspired me to work on this also. Thanks!
June 25th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
@Mary–I am encouraged to continue presenting what a 21st century library should be offering in our schools, so will keep submitting proposals to the “other” conferences besides the library focused ones. I especially think our administrators need to hear and see it. I want them to go back to school and ask how can we do these things in a collaborative positive manner. I am glad to be an inspiration to you and others. Thanks for commenting today.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Cathy,
I’m sorry that you did not have a large crowd attend your presentation, but as others have pointed out, you made a difference for those 15 who did attend. You are the proverbial rock dropped in the pond – the ripples will continue until the edge of the pond has gentle waves on its shores.
I’m guilty of wanting things NOW…but one step at a time will get us where we are going.