Originally posted in the NETA Newsletter September, 2012
Volunteering at ISTE: Expanding Horizons
Peg Coover, Grand Island Northwest High School
As the school year was winding down in May, I was getting very excited for my ISTE Teacher Trek. About that time I received an email from one of the SIGs (Special Interest Groups) requesting volunteers at the digital playground at ISTE. I looked over the areas where they needed help and found a place where I could lend a hand. That turned out to be a great decision!
Being a conference volunteer made my ISTE experience richer for several reasons. First of all, when I filled out the volunteer form in May, I had several areas to choose from. This made me think: What did I know? What could someone learn from me? Wasn’t I supposed to be going to ISTE so that I could learn? Ultimately, I decided that I could share my knowledge of animation tools and how students used them in my science classes.
Naturally, I was a bit nervous going to my volunteer station. I showed up early so I could prepare myself and this was a good thing because the volunteer before me, Linda, was doing a double shift and needed to leave. I learned a lot from Linda about Infographics before she left. Suddenly I found teachers and media specialists crowded around my table, eager to learn something about animation—from me!
It didn’t take long to get into a groove and show off my students’ projects. At times the crowd would thin and I would get a break. It was during one of those lulls that a lovely lady from Missouri sat down on one of the stools near my booth and asked me what I was showing. She appeared to be overwhelmed with the huge conference at that point and I took that opportunity to offer her some one on one instruction. She wrote down everything I showed her and asked good questions. Even though the questions got me off track of animation tools, I was thrilled to answer them and help this conference newbie. She was like a sponge soaking it all up! It was inspiring!
As the afternoon went on I had the opportunity to meet lots of teachers, technology coordinators, and media specialists. I made new Twitter friends and contacts. Many of those new acquaintances shared some things with me as well, “expanding my horizons,” as much as any breakout session. When my shift ended, I helped the next volunteer, Kirsten, get organized and set up. Kristen had some technical difficulty so I stayed and helped troubleshoot. Then she shared with me her expertise on screencasting, another great idea I can put into place next year!
The rest of the conference was jam packed with sessions and keynotes! I learned so much and still continue to learn as I review my notes, follow #ISTE12 on Twitter, and read blogs from other attendees, two weeks after the conference is over! But, I still consider my day of volunteering in the SIGMS Digital Playground as my best investment of time in San Diego. I gained experience as a presenter on a small scale and made some great new professional contacts. I learned from other volunteers, as well as the educators who visited my booth, and I had a big impact on some of them too. My goal for next year is to bring more of my colleagues into the 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Volunteering was a great experience that reinforced my beliefs that we can all learn from each other, no matter the experience level, and that working together helps insure that we all strive to expand horizons—our own and more importantly, the horizons of our students.
(P.S. Thank you NETA for a wonderful opportunity!)
Volunteering at ISTE: Expanding Horizons
Peg Coover, Grand Island Northwest High School
As the school year was winding down in May, I was getting very excited for my ISTE Teacher Trek. About that time I received an email from one of the SIGs (Special Interest Groups) requesting volunteers at the digital playground at ISTE. I looked over the areas where they needed help and found a place where I could lend a hand. That turned out to be a great decision!
Being a conference volunteer made my ISTE experience richer for several reasons. First of all, when I filled out the volunteer form in May, I had several areas to choose from. This made me think: What did I know? What could someone learn from me? Wasn’t I supposed to be going to ISTE so that I could learn? Ultimately, I decided that I could share my knowledge of animation tools and how students used them in my science classes.
Naturally, I was a bit nervous going to my volunteer station. I showed up early so I could prepare myself and this was a good thing because the volunteer before me, Linda, was doing a double shift and needed to leave. I learned a lot from Linda about Infographics before she left. Suddenly I found teachers and media specialists crowded around my table, eager to learn something about animation—from me!
It didn’t take long to get into a groove and show off my students’ projects. At times the crowd would thin and I would get a break. It was during one of those lulls that a lovely lady from Missouri sat down on one of the stools near my booth and asked me what I was showing. She appeared to be overwhelmed with the huge conference at that point and I took that opportunity to offer her some one on one instruction. She wrote down everything I showed her and asked good questions. Even though the questions got me off track of animation tools, I was thrilled to answer them and help this conference newbie. She was like a sponge soaking it all up! It was inspiring!
As the afternoon went on I had the opportunity to meet lots of teachers, technology coordinators, and media specialists. I made new Twitter friends and contacts. Many of those new acquaintances shared some things with me as well, “expanding my horizons,” as much as any breakout session. When my shift ended, I helped the next volunteer, Kirsten, get organized and set up. Kristen had some technical difficulty so I stayed and helped troubleshoot. Then she shared with me her expertise on screencasting, another great idea I can put into place next year!
The rest of the conference was jam packed with sessions and keynotes! I learned so much and still continue to learn as I review my notes, follow #ISTE12 on Twitter, and read blogs from other attendees, two weeks after the conference is over! But, I still consider my day of volunteering in the SIGMS Digital Playground as my best investment of time in San Diego. I gained experience as a presenter on a small scale and made some great new professional contacts. I learned from other volunteers, as well as the educators who visited my booth, and I had a big impact on some of them too. My goal for next year is to bring more of my colleagues into the 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Volunteering was a great experience that reinforced my beliefs that we can all learn from each other, no matter the experience level, and that working together helps insure that we all strive to expand horizons—our own and more importantly, the horizons of our students.
(P.S. Thank you NETA for a wonderful opportunity!)