Learn, Think, Write

The whirlwind of the last week has ended for me. I spent a delightful weekend at Sheryl Nussbaum Beach's home, laughing, swimming, eating, and learning with Will Richardson and other PLP team leaders, fellows, and community leaders. From there, we headed right into NECC, where I was able to connect with even more cool people.
Some of the sessions were valuable, though I tend to agree with @jutecht when he says it's about the conversations. I laughed when he told me in the Bloggers' Cafe that he was going to go to a session and see if he could download the speaker's notes faster than the speaker could present them.
Most of the presentations I saw at NECC left me wanting more (except for Scott McLeod's, which was spot on and of course, Sheryl's and Will's). You know, it's hard to present. Which is why I discourage teachers from lecturing. Sure it's a fast way to give information, but if you aren't good at it (and I'm not), then you lose your audience quickly.
I do not believe this is a new phenomenon related to multitasking or speed of access to information that we seem to want to blame on students who lack focus. Boring is boring.
So although I spent nearly $400 on a ticket and hotel room for the conference,  it really is possible to get something for almost nothing.
I loved meeting up with folks in the Bloggers' Cafe, the hallways, during meals, on Twitter, and even in the rooms before sessions started. I visited the exhibit hall only for a moment to visit old friends, but I wondered who was buying all that stuff–and why. I got to hang out with @capohana and @rinegarcia as we tried to identify tweeters from their avatars (@mcarls, you were easy!). I shared moments with @vvrotney and @deacs84 and cemented relationships with many others.
Something for nothing. It's a philosophy we've used at school for some time now, having such a small tech budget. We don't own white boards; we use free apps such as Google Docs, blogs, wikis, and diigo; we still share projectors; and those of us who have spent a year in PLP know that true learning comes from our network, our collaboration and sharing that we do online through Twitter and other social meda.
When one of my students had a question about his Robotics Club this year, I tweeted the question, and hooked him up with an expert from my PLN. When I needed help with WPMU, @jimgroom, @suewaters and @tomwoodwar came to my rescue.
So was NECC worth it? I wish there were some way to get fewer but better speakers and presenters. I wish there were a way to know ahead of time that material would be fresh. When I am inspired or engaged, it's worth all the money in the world. But it's an art, skill, and talent most people lack.
@cpohanka, @rinegarcia, and I have even talked about buying a $75 guest pass next year, so we can meet and greet–and not go to any sessions. Or watch them later.
But yes, it was worth it. And next year, I may even play golf.