A visual pun (or puzzle for shining morning faces)–and one of the few things I have time to post tonight. The joke is inside but may strike a chord for those of us at the final general session at ELI 2008. I have a good deal to say, and consider, regarding that session. But that anon.
For now, a quick note to say I’m back home, the flights were fine (American Airlines on my good list–let’s hope it’s a trend), and the meeting was a real corker this year. You could hardly get to the coffee and danish for all the talent, conversation, and creativity. I felt buoyed up by the energy of folks I knew, folks I was just meeting, and folks like Henry Jenkins, George Siemens, and Michael Wesch whose work I had followed for a long time but whom I met at the conference for the first time. I got to facilitate a discussion of Innovations in Faculty Development with a dynamic roomful of Learning Circle attendees. I got to eat delicious food with longtime colleagues and help out with the final assembly of the Citizen Journalist movie summing up the conference. I got to share two star students with a great set of committed educators. Bountiful opportunities in every direction–and with a broad and diverse range of people.
Something like real school, that is.
I have much more to say, but it will have to wait. In the meantime, I am deeply grateful to be part of this community. And I can hardly wait for next year.
Love the image!
A few of us were marveling later how with your question to Mr. Lulu you managed to set the reactive hostility most of us were feeling aside, and push with a smart sensitive question in a real attempt to understand where the hell he was coming from… Your ability to do so (I was awash in snark, foaming at the mouth, tripping on sarcasm) is just one of things that makes you such a special part of the community.
Counting the days until you come across the continent. Van Rock City will never be the same.
Oh, two more things I should have written in my first comment.
I know how the ‘real’ world post-conference makes it hard to get all the necessary reflections up, but please do write that “good deal to say” that you refer to above. Even if you don’t get to a place of understanding, I really do want (need?) to get more of your insight. I’ve got at least three posts I need to write myself (one about the session you did with David and Serena)… I promise I will get them all up if you do just this one!
Second, I’m always so impressed with the UMW students, and that held true again this year. They really are stars.