Phillip+Sanchez+2.011



**Notes & Reflections for Learning 2.011**

**As I type this I am sweating from playing football, an interesting perspective really because it ties in with the very relevant topic that came up during orientation during our IT session - do the Tablets really distract the kids from social interaction? In essence are they the reason why our kids are "not" interacting during breaks? Are these things keeping them from experiencing what we experienced when we were kids?** **The last two days have validated and invalidated so much of what I know. I feel exhilarated from making those saves and being active, no doubt like what my students feel when they run into my classroom after a break of physical activity, of socialization.** **But like anything in education, I too need to differentiate for myself. While I played with Mindy and Trevor, several other people sat on chairs and typed on computers... Were they gaming and networking. Some of them took time to watch us and scream encouragement and to tease in a fun way. Were any of them videoing this to put on their blog. Was that exhilarating save I made immortalized in cyberspace or is it the object of joking and pwnage?** **The unplugging unconference session today was extremely powerful for me because it kept coming back to the idea of "networking" in a way that transcends the etymology of the word. It cannot be local anymore, not entirely, and unplugging still has to be seen in the context of plugging in because that is how it is done these days.** **I gave an example of giving my kids contact paper and markers that smell like fruit to illustrate that the tactile learning we do is important; it still matters.** **I still believe this. But the meaning that this tactile learning need not only be a spacial product of locked in time and in my memory, or Trevor's or Mindy's. The moment can be what it is now and then it can be so much more, more than anything I myself could imagine.** **I used to love all those time travel scifi movies when I was a kid. The metaphysical paradox of being able to meet your younger self at some point on the temporal page. Though it is still not possible, perhaps I can at least introduce my analogue, goalkeeping, tactile self to my blogging, wiki, tweeting self, he guy who is fearless in throwing his body at a shot on goal, and the guy who puts himself out there in ways he has feared for so long.**
 * In the hypertexting session, we went over hugely important issues about how Chaucer and Shakespeare have relevancy in today's world, but that they know get to be living "texts" (conduits of imparted info that human beings engage in). The network we have allows for this is ways that are so utterly frightening but also really kind of basic in the core. We are still "telling stories". We need to feel that what we are doing is making an impact, that we matter and have left a mark on this world.**
 * Anne's presentation, the two student's, the people who physucally came here and who will still be "here" when this PD is over are impacting so much that I know I need to get on board! Well I am on board, but I am mostly a passenger and not a captain on a ship that can travel in any direction simultaneously with me still being aboard all the ships at the same time.**

**Ideas and Takeaways: I like the idea of personalizing spaces and making an environment a place to publish. I agree with the high school speaker and was quite happy to hear her validate this. The design is definitely important.**


 * Questions: I don't know what tumbler is--to me, a tumbler is something you drink out of--mostly iced tea.**


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