Educating the Dragon

Chrissy has a point where in New Zealand is there that is big enough? Core Education, or whoever organises stuff like this does their best I’m sure but I missed lunch after my presentation and the following breakout because of the positions of the various venues.

I feel like I’m moaning, but really I’m not. Honest. I’m just making the point that Chrissy has a point. Perhaps its just that venues that big and broad are just not needed, except twice a year Learning@Schools and ULearn?

But then I can’t believe that ICTPD is the biggest conference in NZ.

I don’t remember where the story comes from but a grandson asks his grandfather.“Were you hero in the war?” And the Grandfather answers “No, I just fought beside some.” 

It came to mind today as I sat and listened to the Minister of Education.

I’m sat beside Chrissy and AllanahK and Jane, on skype chat with Rachel Boyd and Durff.

 If anyone should ask I felt like saying “No, I sat with some.”

As I walked out of the session I was happily chatting to a Principal I know and got in the elevator.By the time the lift got to the ground floor I realised I did not have my coat. “Darn” 

So I go back up in the lift to the room and go to my place, no coat. “Darn”

I think to myself, where did I got earlier, that’s right, I had lunch with Jane and Chrissy at the Blogger café. I trip out of the

Crown
Plaza, across the road, up a couple of escalators, the blogger café. No coat. “Darn” 

Think Simon, think. Third row back in the main hall. Must of left it there, so I sneak in, trying not to look too obvious. Trying harder not to interrupt Tony Ryan while he prepares. I look. No coat. “Darn” 

I’m out of options, I text Chrissy and ask if she’s seen it this morning. I hit SEND. The second I do that. I remember, I took it off this morning and hid it under one of the stands. “DOH!” 

So Julia, am I right,left, half or no brained?

Here’s my attempt at the podcast from yesterday.
http://dragon09.podomatic.com/entry/2007-10-02T15_08_17-07_00

I’ve just posted comment on Jane’s blog about the Ulearn Blogger Cafe. I mentioned the Did you know? matter and the associated wikispace.  Both of which have links, as you can see.

 The reason is that I think it is worth a serious conversation about the impact such a global view has on New Zealand business, education and society in general. We’re such a relatively small country that small changes in policy and perspective can make huge differences to our future.

 What do you think?