Web Conference EDLD 5352

This was the first web conference that I have actually attended, although I've read the transcripts of others. It was an interesting and (mostly) enjoyable experience. I think limiting the size to 25 participants was a great idea - the transcripts I've read with more participants are almost impossible to follow. We did have some technical difficulties with the sound, so only Dr. Abernathy was speaking. Even so, the sound was awful. But, we persevered. We spent some time discussing why it is important to web conference, and discovered that the interaction was the most important part. We discussed Web 2.0 tools that are available and our experiences with them. I really want to try tagxedo - it sounds so much better than Wordle. Then the discussion turned to the mechanics of finishing our internship portfolios and action research. It was encouraging that so many of us seem to be in the same boat there, although there are a few very organized folks in the course who are absolutely on top of it. Dr. Abernathy was very positive that we would all somehow finish. Finally, the discussion turned to how the reduced state funding was affecting our districts. Many of us, including me, have yet to see our contracts. Again, many of us in the same shaky boat.