WOW nz-interface are running a competition and want you to participate. It is calling for entries into the INTERFACE AWARDS 2008.
It appears there are two categories
BEST USE OF ICT IN TEACHING
And
BEST TEACHER BLOG
It is this second category that got me thinking… There are so many different teacher blogs out there written by New Zealanders or at least folks like me who reside on these fair shores. How are we choose, let alone judge? How can we compare one with the other?
For example how can fair compare the weighty matters of Artichoke , with the reflective practice of Marnie , with the oh so helpful links and tips of NZChrissy , or Greg with his links to thought provoking/ amusing/ novel YOUTUBE happenings… to name but a few? Its not really apples and apples is it. I find each blog I read useful for the content found therein, for a whole raft of reasons.
Even those blogs I have mentioned are interesting and varied in their content on one level or another and should not really be pigeon-holed as I have done.
Then there are the student blogs / wikis/ podcasts that have so far gone unmentioned.
But it’s a starts, so let’s support this, even in its infancy, besides I might even win myself a laptop 
I have had a great day today.
So many highs, it’s unreal. Firstly I actually get chance to spend time in the bloggers cafe with old friends. Then I facilite a discussion on the Did you know? material. with Allanah live blogging it. An us all working together on a google doc. Head researcher Amaanda (sic) putting in the links as we go. If you’re interested our notes on the preceedings appear on slideshare. But be warned, to read it you need to download it. With promises of added information etc being made. I spent much of yesterday asking myself, “whose Nicki Gemmel, I know that name.” In fact it was not until I got to the session did she say Nix. and the penny finally dropped. A big thank you to all those present and contributing to the discussion. And those of you who joined in the live chat. I walked out smiling. If you want liking to the google doc just comment and fix you up.
Secondly, I managed to make it to Rachel’s presentation on social bookmarking- She had 41 on her list but I recken it was closer to 50. She worked so hard!
Then the conference dinner. I was able to chat with some old friends AND made some new ones. That is always good.
I even got to the dance floor and ‘got on down’ until I caught myself dancing like my old man and promptly jigged my way off the dance floor.
It’s now 1am and I’m feeling tired but happy. Got Breakfast with Jocelyn, Allanah and Greg tomorrow…. Anyone remember where the Embassy is? Under the thingys and turn right? Turn right and go under the thingys? Best ring in the morning!
It is my privilege to introduce an new blogger to the edublogosphere. I was honoured to meet Amanda in a breakout at Ulearn. Please visit her site, encourage her by commenting, she’s putting all her notes from Ulearn on her blog, its well worth a read.
I also need to thank Chrissy and Amanda for volunteering skyping me into Tony Ryan’s keynote. I was so disappointed about missing it and now thanks to Web 2.0, skype, twitter et al. I get two offers to let me listen.
Derek Asked for help with his closing remarks I thought I’d share these two….
“It is always good to get the bigger picture, we are not alone in our school, in our desire for progressing, personalising learning. Implimenting ICT in our schools. Its great to share ideas, try things out, get some direction and focus the mind.”
“Here there is space and time to become the reflective practisioners we wish we could be all the time.”
Thanks to Rachel for passing them along or was it Jane, someone’s battery died …Am writing this before he speaks so….
Tony Ryan its your responsibility as ‘part of the system’ – what are WE going to do about it…. No more moaning and complaining. Let’s just get on with the business we’re in…Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror spings to mind.
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.”
