Thoughts By Jen

should the presenter be able to give it again??

I know that this is a rant — but am just wondering about 2 things.

1.  The price that is paid for keynoters
2.  And the fact that MANY are repeating information that has not only been presented before BUT that is available now by way of YouTube, elluminate archives, or ustream.

I can only guestimate that a keynote speaker makes about $5000 per keynote….could be less, could be more.  $5000 is the only one I know for sure because the keynote speaker told me that in conversation.

Hmmm, $5000 for 60 minutes to 90 minutes of information is……interesting.

But then, what do you get for the $5000??  What would you expect?

I will let you speculate on that answer, because we all have probably a variety of thoughts…..but then I have to wonder……

If you, as a presenter/a keynoter, already have your content archived and you are giving the same presentation — I mean the EXACT same presentation — what is the necessity of your being there on the stage…..if we can just hit PLAY and let the audience watch your speech?

It then makes me wonder this….

What does an “in-the-building” speaker need to provide that just hitting “play” will not provide?

I am still in contemplation on this one…..lots of thoughts…….some contradictary thoughts as I work my way through this………..

but I wonder, and I invite you to wonder with me………..
why are we paying HUGE amounts of money for the presence of someone to present in person, if we can get their content for free online?

Thanks for helping me think.
Jen

There are several people, who cause me to think deeper than I usually am comfy doing — and one of them is Stephen Downes.  I feel his support, yet I know he continues to poke me, especially when I present fluff.

Now, my last blog post — was not 100% fluff — because I did learn (and relearn) some ideas…..but his comment “poked” me and I needed to expand some thoughts.

So Stephen, for you….

What I learned at #cue10

Not much — but before you start formulating your opinions and judgements…..let me share why.

1.  I choose WHAT sessions to attend.   Of the sessions I CHOSE to attend, only 2 of them were new sessions or speakers to me.  Of those TWO sessions, 1 was not new information and the other, I choose to TWEET out thoughts, check emails, and update information and I did not give it my full attention.

Because I did not learn — that was MY fault, not CUE’s.

2.  I am tired.  Whether it is this stupid infection, or age, or just the fact that I am mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally exhausted……it was hard for me to concentrate.   I found myself with about 10 good minutes of concentration and then I began to wander.   And that is bothering me, because this was not the fact 10 years ago and really need to see just what and why to concentrate is much harder than it used to be.

~*~*~*~*~

I did have some takeaways, though, besides the one’s I already shared and here they are:

1.  I had a great conversation with Steve Dembo — several in fact.  Where he helped me and I helped him.  Not our general “how is the family, how is the weather” but deeper conversations on “how could I be better, what do I need to change, why is this not working” kind of conversations.  We sat and talked….we sat and listened…..necessary, I believe, for both of us.

2.  I feel that the exhibit hall is WAY too big and the Student showcase area is WAY too small.   People spend 30 minutes playing with a smartboard and talking about online options and walked right by the students.   Something is so wrong here.

3.  There are too many answers and not enough questions and there is too much acceptance and not enough challenges.  I would suggest that ALL conferences, from now on, have a 1 hour Q&A time AFTER each keynote for the audience to interact instead of just absorb.

4.  Teachers need to play together and not just always TALK ABOUT TECH.  The DEN event on Friday mixed learning with playing.  I spent over an hour talking with a professor about possibilities with Laura Ingalls Wilder and then Cherie and I went over and played Jurassic Park and Steve D and I rode motorcycles through Chicago and Dennis and I tried to play a game of air hockey.  I think we need to play more!!  I know I need to play more.

5.  I was always on my way to the next thing so quickly that I had no time to absorb, contemplate, and even “dwell” on what I had just learned.  We must have time to do those things…..or I needed to set time apart to do it myself.

6.  Palm Springs is beautiful but I stayed inside the conference center almost all the time.  I missed the beauty because I was to busy to stop to look.

From Steve Hargadon:
Twitter can be much more than “hey, how are you or look at this”.
I need to use search and rss more to power up professional twitter use.

From Chris Lehmann:
You can ask a LOT of questions or you can ask just one.
Be ready with that ONE great question because it might be the only one you get.

From Steve Dembo:
Having a teacher comfy with a online based opportunity is one of the most important steps to having the teacher use the opportunity after they head home.
Take time to have newbies learn the initial steps to a program including how to sign up!!

From Barbara Barreda:
The administration must be ahead, beside, and behind their staff with ideas, visions, and goals.
To encourage, expect, and provide opportunities of learning and reflection.

From Cherie Daniel:
You may have NEVER done something in your life yet when you try it you are fantastic.
But you have to decide to try!!

From Heather Wolpert-Gawron:
Sometimes the most effective tools has nothing to do with technology.
Look for ways that work and not just an edtech solution.

From Brent Coley:
Teachers need to hear from teachers using a variety of options!!
Be the example, be the encourager!!

From Katie Warren:
When you figure out the answer and you know you are right, don’t waver….even when it doesn’t make sense.
You can be CURIOUS (grins) of other choices, but don’t waver when you know you are right.

From IS SIG Meeting:
We gain so much when we listen to other people at meetings and not feel the need to control the conversation!!

From Mike Lawrence:
It is not your successes that will define you — but how you deal with your failures!

The Opening Keynote:
When you have some very good content,  don’t let your slides distract from it.

From Ted Lai:
Personalize your presentation but be genuine!
and read Presentation Zen — not be content with Presentation Jen.  (grins)

From Dennis Grice:
A true friend is one you can share leading a presentation with 5 minutes of notice and absolutely NOTHING to share but your enjoyment of possibilities for teachers to use with their students.
and thanks to Sean Williams for allowing us to cover for him.

From all my friends at CUE:
You encourage me, laugh with me, inspire me, listen to my ramblings, chastise me, push me, and help me always to continue to become more solid in my educational thoughts.

Thank you.
It was a very nice #cue 10.