07.19.08
NECC Highlights
I attended the NECC Conference againt this year. NECC stands for National Educating Computing Conference sponsored by ISTE (International Society of Technology Educators). This year it was held in sunny San Antonio, Texas. 
Sunny was an understatement. Hot, Hot,Hot was more like it. The buzzword this year was collaboration. James Surowiecki opened the conference with a powerful session centered 
around his book, “Wisdom Of The Crowds” which highlights the powerful accuracy and accomplishment of the collective mind. Some uncanny things can be accomplished by a group of diverse people focused on a goal. Get the book. Of course there were the exhibits. Some of the biggest names in the tech industry were there showing off their latest products to use in the classroom. A lot of the products centered around collaborative learning and engaging the 21st Century learner. I have video that will highlight some of these products. Usually the vendors offer you a nice relaxing place to sit and watch their presentations and eat some snacks. This year they went a little over the top with dramatizations and props. Elvis was there with a pink caddy. 
Neo and Darth Vader made a special appearance. We even had a guest appearance from Lester Holt from NBC News. One other thing, which was my biggest pet peeve. To all the vendors, stop giving away Ipod shuffles as door prizes making it seem like you are giving away the bigger ones that is so cheap. The economy is not that bad that the only Ipod you can give away is the one for $50 bucks!