NECC 2009

Since there was no time to blog from the conference (just too busy taking in information and Washington, D.C.), I had to wait until I returned home and could find time to write. This was my first time attending the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC 2009) and I am already looking forward to next year's conference! I walked away with Wetpaint wiki certification and now have a better idea how to use and improve my one-dimensional wikis on other sites. I also learned how to create online courses using Moodle. Though the workshop did not tell me about the free Moodle hosting sites that are available, I found quite a few by googling 'free Moodle hosting'. I also learned that wikis can be used for note-taking. Though the Moodle workshop had difficulties with its network connections ( the same IP address was being generated by all machines due to an imaging error), I managed to take a few notes using a wiki to guide me through my first online course setup. I must remember to add more notes to the wiki for a more comprehensive set of notes. I tweeted from the conference and also did a live streaming feed just to test it out. I am now 'following' Chris Dede ( Harvard River City Project) as a result of his response to my Ning from the conference. I also met a few people from other countries who I am following on Twitter. I now understand the value of social networks.

I have become such a techno-junkie since attending the NECC! I wake up early to add to my wiki. I am creating a website for a presentation that I will give to CPA teachers in a few weeks and am working on that! I wake up to post to my online class at Walden U ! I search the Net for cool information, websites, and artwork to make my wikis, blogs, and websites more 'sexy' and interesting for viewers. I am consumed with technology!!! I am spending more time with my technology than I am with friends and family! Though I haven't started tweeting from church, I have actually considered the benefits! ( Didn't I blog about this preoccupation with technology before?!!!)

Now I must find time for friends, family, and other responsibilities. Technology is an EVIL temptress!!!

My NECC Ning: http://necc2008.ning.com/profile/Derek