K12Online Coolness

When you use a lot of technology to push the envelope and hang with others who do as well-- it is pretty amazing when you find yourself in awe of the tools. Darren, Wes, Dean and I continually use tools to collaborate since we all live so far away from each other. Wednesday night at NECC wasn't going to be any different than other countless K12Online virtual meetings we have had except that three of us would be together and Darren would be online- or so we thought.

We ended up at a pretty ritzy restaurant. Once we were seated Dean pulled out his laptop and called Darren on Skype. We made him full screen and sat him at the table across from ours. It made him seem as if he was eating with us virtually.

It was so dark that we had to use a candle to allow Darren to see us. It seemed a little like a ghost story moment. Dean took the laptop and walked Darren around with the camera on so he could see the RiverWalk and get a feel for what our surroundings were like. Someone walking by knew Darren and hollered out to him. It was wild, just like he was really there.

The waiter came up and greeted us all including Darren. When he found out he was from Canada he began to sing the Canadian National Anthem. Overall, it was an awe inspiring event.

Comments

[Doug Symington]

Great example of how inclusive online tools can be. Organizers and "those on the ground" need only "open the pipe" and those with the means will definitely come to the party. Thanks for sharing, and all the work you do in "getting the word out" with k12online

[Charlie A. Roy]

I hope Darren pitched in for the bill.

[Brian Crosby]

Sheryl ... now you have an iota of what Skyping Celest into class each day was like. Her head was about the same size as the other students. We could walk her around the room to experience things ... even take her a ways outside, but not too far from the wifi. She could watch video clips or see web sites I was demoing on my Activboard.

After my presentation in the Blogger's Cafe about video-conferencing I had a teacher from Singapore who was in a huge hurry come up to me and tell me they included a student that was a quadriplegic in school after she showed our video to her administrators. I just blogged about it. Was great seeing you again at NECC!
Brian

[brian Crosby]

http://learningismessy.com/blog/?p=468

Almost forgot ... Link to my blog post above.

[Dean Shareski]

Having been on both sides of that screen, I can tell you that the evening was one I won't soon forget. We went to great lengths to try and create as real an experience as possible. I'll be curious to see how Darren felt. Thanks again.

[Mark Carls]

Sheryl,
Great blog post. I remember that night as well when I walked by as Dean was coming down the stairs. He was being illuminated by your Skype call with Darren K. What a great night that must've been. Thanks for all of your help this year, we'll be seeing you out here in Western New York next week and then again in August.

[alexanderhayes]

http://mobilizethis.wikispaces.com/2008_Presenters

It will be intersting to see how you connect here :)

[una raimondo]

Wow; I dreamed of these possiblities back in Africa where I grew up as a child. A machine that could link folks together with i person on TV and the other 2 eating in a restaurant. This is really, really cool. You folks definately blew the mind of the Canadian waiter otherwise why else would he sign that anthem:) hey, is that the one that still praises the Queen?