So, here I am on the beautiful (but currently rainy) Gold Coast.
I arrived this evening to spend the weekend at Gold Coast ITSC 2010, the annual Innovative Technology in Schools Conference run by Apple. It certainly sounds like it will be fun, and I’m rather humbled to have been asked to give the keynote address. What’s more surprising to me is that Apple asked if I’d do not only this one, but the entire Australian ITSC series, so over the next month or so I’ll also be at the Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne events as well. It came as a complete surprise to be asked, but I’m really thrilled to be able to be a part of them.
Apple is using a different approach to the ITSC events this year that sounds like it will be really good. It’s all very unconferencey. Beyond the keynote, there will be lots of opportunity to mix and share and socialise and learn together. I think that’s great, and it’s certainly the best part of most conferences I’ve been to, so it’s cool that we are seeing more conferences these days that try to focus on the conversations and encouraging the serendipitous aspects of this kind of learning. I like it. There is also going to be a focus at ITSC on actually making something, creating something to take away back to our schools that will help drive the shift. It sounds pretty cool.
Anyway I better get back to putting the finishing touches on this preso. It’s an honour to have been asked to present, and I’d like to do a good job of it, although I’m always concerned about what I can actually add to the conversation. It’s a bit daunting, but I’m looking forward to it.
If you happen to be going to any of the ITSC events over the next month or so, please come and say hi!
ITSC 2010. It all begins. by Chris Betcher is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Thanks for the heads up. I’d be interested on attending Sydney. How do I find out the details? I couldn’t fond anything on the Apple site this afternoon. Though I was just using the iPod.
Bernie
Chris,
Worry not! I finally “twigged”. I used the link in your blog (Doh). I’ve got all the details. I just need to work on the logistics.
Thanks,
Bernie
Hope you are also Keynoting the Auckland one? I look forward to hearing what you present from ‘that’ blogpost. It is just what we need over here too.
Hi Dorothy. I’m not doing the Auckland one. They thought about it but decided that Kiwis should be hearing from other Kiwis. You don’t need us Aussies coming across the ditch to tell you stuff when you already have so many talented people there.
The Auckland one will be done by Luke Sumich. Luke and I are working together on it and will be using the same theme to base the keynote on.
Hi Chris
Just wanted to so thanks for the inspiring keynote address and thanks for working with us on Day 2. I made some QR codes for my students and also showed them Smack Talk ( which had an effect on behaviour management!).
Hope the rest of the ITSC weekends are as Amazing as the Qld one.
Hey thanks Cassie! It was great to work with you guys during Day 2 as well. I think we had a lot of fun and came up with some really cool ideas… Glad to hear you took ideas from the session and used them with your classes already. That’s what it’s all about!
Hope to catch up with again some time.
Chris
Hey Chris,
Can’t view the video as it’s marked “private”.
Did take a quick look at he preso.. now if you could just add the ‘sound’ we’d be able to broadcast you world wide.
🙂 KNOW you’re doing great presentations!
Janet
Oops@ How did that happen? I just fixed it so you should be able to view it now. THanks for letting me know!
Chris,
Thanks for the addition of the slide show & the video. There was a real buzz in the room. It’s made me more enthusiastic to get to Sydney. Fingers crossed.
Hi Chris, I am attending ITSC in Auckland next month. Thanks for posting the clip, useful to see what the conference format might look like. We have had a un-conference in Auckland for the last couple of years. If you are over this way on the 25th July, EducampNZ is on again. You can check out posts/video/pics from previous years here.
http://acesnet.wikispaces.com/Educampnz+2010
cheers,
Fiona
I only hope school will let me go to the Sydney event. Question has to be asked, do I actually need to bring an Apple notebook and not my (cringe) Toshiba notebook…how dare I ask 🙂
Looking forward to seeing a lot more about this unconference on your blog Chris, and congratulations on your keynotes at all those events, a real honour indeed.