In the past year we have seen a number of new free web tools used for online professional development. There are tools that can be used in the traditional sense as well as tools that are redefining how we learn in this connected network. In this presentation, we will take a look at some of the free tools that are now available to schools and educators to hold online professional development sessions. We will also push beyond Professional Development in the traditional sense and look at how these new network tools are being used by educators for “Just in Time Learning” and redefining how we learn from each other in a global network.

What if you worked for a dream system? With a Superintendent & BOE whose focus is technology and professional development. Would it be a utopian and collaborative environment with teachers and students engaged with Web 2.0 tools? Not necessarily. Having open Internet access and a 1:1 computer initiative is not necessarily the key to engagement. A core cultural change must take place where students, teachers, administration and the community support technology in the curriculum. This presentation will share how we overcame many obstacles, created opportunities, and our current obstacles.

Starting from Scratch tells the story of education transformation. Its point of view is the classroom, with all of its eccentricities and complications. The characters are students, teachers, administrators, and parents, with all of their hopes and fears vying for attention. Its plot shows measured steps down the path of real change. This presentation chronicles one educator’s experience with crafting a voice at the intersection of research, pedagogy, and technology. It outlines a way forward for teachers who recognize the obstacles to opportunity and still want to press on.

We will present the history and development of the EdTechTalk Channel of the Worldbridges Network through screencasts and audio and video interviews of our show hosts. In little over 2 years, the channel has gone from one weekly webcast to eight weekly interactive webcasts using the newest and most interactive web based media. EdTechTalk is a professional learning community that is participatory and open. Goal: The goal of this session is to create a documentary view of the development of the EdTechTalk channel of the Worldbridges network. To share the vision of founders Jeff Lebow and Dave Cormier and the stories of the webcasters on the network. Through this documentation, we hope to inspire more participation and/or parallel learning community work.

This podcast will describe how students in a teacher preparation course at Colorado State University are learning to use Web2.0 tools to create and maintain distributed learning communities. The presentation describes how students are sharing knowledge and leveraging the power of collective decision making.

This podcast will describe how students in a teacher preparation course at Colorado State University are learning to use Web2.0 tools to create and maintain distributed learning communities. The presentation describes how students are sharing knowledge and leveraging the power of collective decision making.

This podcast will describe how students in a teacher preparation course at Colorado State University are learning to use Web2.0 tools to create and maintain distributed learning communities. The presentation describes how students are sharing knowledge and leveraging the power of collective decision making.

For many teachers, Web 2.0 tools offer exciting opportunities for students to express themselves and take command of technology that stretches the mind and reaches outside school walls. For some teachers, these tools are like trying to take a drink of water from a fire hose – endlessly expanding into a bewildering array of choices. It’s a daunting task to figure out all the options with Web 2.0 tools and choose the “best” one to introduce to students. But why should you have all the fun!? Share your Learning Adventure 2.0 with your students and you will all benefit from the experience.

In this presentation, the participants will discuss how the use of Web 2.0 technologies has challenged and changed the concept of acceptable use. The presenter will suggest ways to balance protecting students, teachers, and schools from the dangers of the Internet, while still integrating Web 2.0 technologies into the K-12 curriculum. Also, philosophical issues of acceptable use will be discussed such as identity and transparency. Finally, practical suggestions will be shared to help every teacher and administrator.

This session is going to take participants on a journey consisting of four segments, which are: 1. Creating your own Personal Learning Network (PLN), 2. Motivating Faculty to expand their PLNs; 3. Mentoring Administrators about the value of PLNs and 4. Engaging Parents to construct PLNs. Upon completion, participant will be given the opportunity to begin to expand their own PLN. Keeping the conversation alive beyond the conference, participants will be encouraged to share what has been successful within their own learning networks so that all may benefit.