EdCampHOME 2.0

What an experience… EdCampHOME 2.0. Although this was the second year that the #edcamphome team has facilitated a virtual EdCamp via Google+, Google Docs, Google Hangouts, Google On Air, YouTube, and Twitter, this was my first #edcamphome. It is an absolutely unreal experience, particularly for someone who is moderately techno savvy. Admittedly, I’ve been to a few EdCamps in the Vancouver area learning face-to-face with those who has a vested interest in education.  However, the #edcamphome experience entailed a relatively steep technology learning curve. The payoff, you get to collaborate with someone from Wisconsin, Baltimore, or Chicago. This is kind of cool for a Canadian girl like me who lives in a small town on the west coast.  Best of all, it was in the comforts of my own home. Worst of all, I am still learning about Google and all its apps. Certainly I have some prior knowledge with Google Hangouts, Google Docs, and Twitter from co-moderating #bcedchat.  Which by the way, I am so proud to a part of and adore my Professional Learning Network (#PLN) on Twitter. #edcamphome was another opportunity to meet and learn from other deeply passionate educators face-to-face, online. Everyone was so helpful and lots of YouTube tutorials to bridge the gap. Thank you. I was one of 265 participating in #edcamphome. I was astounded by the use of social media to create this dynamic and dialogical learning experience. I managed to catch the first session on how to facilitate EdCamp in Schools. We tossed ideas about audience, structure, resources, past experiences, and best practices. 8 strangers getting together online on a Saturday morning to talk about professional development and EdCamp. I managed to miss the second session on EdCamp for Students. Figured out why an hour after the fact, but no worries… the session is recorded on YouTube. Bummed that I was unable to participate in the discussion, I can still be a part of the learning experience. Phenomenal. I also watched another session on YouTube about creating a PLN for Teachers. Loved it. And, there are other YouTube sessions I can watch on my own time. There were at least a couple of dozen different topics to choose from in each session. Lots of choices. Last of all, I belong to the EdCampHOME 2.0 Google Community. More learning. What I love so much about EdCamp is the mutual sharing of our expertise, passion, and experiences. Thank you to @swpax, @davidedu, @LS_Karl, and @coachk for facilitating @edcamphome and for being so brave to live feed your facilitation (aka. troubleshooting) via Google On Air at www.edcamphome.org. I may have missed an opportunity for live interaction in Session 2, but I loved listening to and watching this incredible team of four making #edcamphome a wonderful and memorable experience for everyone participating from Canada, the United States… and beyond. I will certainly make an effort this year to learn more about Google+ et al for EdCampHOME 3.0. Thank you organizers, facilitators, moderators, and participants of #edcampHOME for enlightening me on using technology as a tool to learn. Loved meeting new people today and having my PLN grow a bit more. I encourage all educators to get involved with Twitter and social media to “get connected” and “breakdown the silos.”  #gratitude