Podstock12

Podstock 2012....it's a family reunion of unrelated educators. Getting to really hang out with friends in a family atmosphere is great.  Awesome lunch & dinner conversations with people trying to grow as educators.  We missed Lori & Sherry, but Nedra was here this year.  Met John & Robin from the Plurk network and we added many new people to our network.  A few of us went to a movie on Friday night, comfy theater with wait service.  Kevin, Michele, Kay, Nedra & I went to the Cabaret Old Town on Saturday for an 80's revue. 
This conference was the first time that I presented a workshop.  I shared about screencasting (I made a website with links to all the resources) and how I really want the students to do it as assessments.  Hearing their voice really lets you know how they are doing.  I asked for the 1 1/2 hour session, but only got an hour session.  I wanted us to have time to make & share a first screencast, but that was not to be.  I tried to go through the tools & tips quickly, but  there are just too many things involved in a great screencast that you cannot get through all the options in less than an hour.  I was one of a few sessions to use a backchannel for people to share or ask questions (thanks gang for watching that for me & contributing).  My friends said the session was great (thanks friends).  Most feedback was also good, a couple wanted something different.  


Now for my thoughts on the session.  I really wish we had time for everyone to try some of the tools and ask questions & share  right then.  I even thought that I could do 30 minutes sharing tools & 30 minutes creating ; no dice.  There was not even enough time for me to make one to show the steps in action, unless I had done that as the intended purpose.  So for an hour sessions, after the intro to what it is and student examples, maybe just demo making one, then go for people to try things and ask questions.  I did feel like I was lecturing and stuck at the front of the room.  I don't like that feeling.  I "never" do that with my students.   I did not make it past the first few tables. Though friends felt that I had the whole room engaged.  If I can get a longer session, then I can go through all the tools.  I was very surprised that more presenters did not use a backchannel.

---