[etni] [FWD: Re: [FWD: conference]]

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> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [etni] [FWD: conference]
> From: "Adele Raemer and Laurie Levy" <raemer@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Sat, January 24, 2004 4:56 am
> To: ask@xxxxxxxx
> 
> Someone (unnamed) wrote:
> Perhaps this shouldn't be said, however, most of the teachers who can
> > > afford to come, or make a special effort to come are private
> teachers.
> > > I have yet to see one single teacher, either from elementary,
> junior
> > > high, or high school from my area. There is no need for them to
> come as
> > > they go to hishtalmuyots, and they are certainly not going to spend
> the
> > > little they get on the  expensive conferences.
> > > Secondly, I'd like to say, that for me personally, I find  that
> some
> > > lecturers who use powerpoint are so boring and, everything that is
> put
> > > on the screen is just read from it.
> > > The most interesting lecturers are those who talk to their
> audience
> > > without trying to impress them with  their computer skills, Sorry
> > > folks!
> 
> I have been coming to ETAI conferences for over 20 years.  I have been
> presenting for quite a few years, as well. I am NOT a private teacher. 
> I
> feel that I get a lot out of participating - both passively and
> actively- in
> the conferences.  I have often had mixed feelings about paying the
> money to
> attend, to GET there, to prepare any talks I have given - let alone the
> time
> and effort that has gone into these talks!  I often presented using
> video
> (teaching how to use video in the classroom) and have had to pay for
> use of
> the video.  That's not trying to impress anyone with my computer
> skills.  If
> I organize a power point presentation, it is much easier for me to
> handle
> than those tens of slippery slidy elusive overhead slide that always
> get
> mixed up while I'm trying to talk - I just click a button.  Yes - it IS
> a
> lot of work before hand -but it is worth it!  And that isn't trying to
> impress anyone with my computer skills- power point is user friendly
> and
> idiot proof- so that even THIS "idiot" (moi) finds it easier, neater
> and
> more efficient to use.
> 
> The "hishtalmuyots" that are given in the different areas of the
> country,
> but there is no replacement for the mass-meeting of peers and minds -
> enriching, inspiring and encouraging each other.  I disagree that
> these
> conferences are expensive - if you are an ETNI member, they are very
> reasonable.  I agree, it would be nice to get the costs lower still
> (someone
> mentioned using schools again instead of the lovely Renaissance
> Hotel).
> NONE of us are millionaires, but in the name of professional
> enrichment,
> I -for one- feel it worth the investment.  (We also get gmul for
> attending-
> and this year, with an international conference, we get a gmul for
> presenting, as well, I believe). Maybe, as long as we are thinking
> creatively here, we could work out a creative solution to those of us
> who
> find it too expensive to attend - a sort of scholarship program.  For
> the
> past few years there have been hospitality schemes, where generous
> ETAIers
> opened their homes for people who came from far away, to sleep over in
> Jerusalem.
> 
> Those of us who present, want to do so as professionally - and
> interestingly - as possible.  Some presenters who use power point to
> present
> may not know how to take best advantage of it, and be boring - however,
> I
> can assure you that they would have been just as boring without the
> power
> point!  This is NOT the issue!  I believe that the issue is presenting
> in
> the most professional way possible - which, in 2004, means using high
> tech
> audio-visual aids where appropriate.  I believe it is also a matter of
> setting an example - if we present low tech, we will also encourage
> low-tech
> teaching techniques in the classroom!  Personally, I teach an NBA
> course and
> for each lesson I give, I have a power point presentation that
> accompanies
> what I teach.  I believe it makes my lessons more colorful and
> interesting.
> It also helps me internalize what I am presenting: by interacting with
> the
> material, I take "ownership" over it (isn't that what we are trying to
> instill in our learners?).  Believe me, if I had to pay for using this
> equipment every time, I would NOT bother to use it - and we would ALL
> come
> out the poorer for it.
> 
> I believe there has to be a way to encourage use of technology that we
> want
> to learn how to use in the classroom, without it coming out of the
> presenters' pockets.  We just need some more brainstorming to find
> creative
> solutions, where EVERYONE wins.
> 
> Adele
> (Sorry for rambling - this one hit a nerve - in short, rather than
> belittling those who voluntarily put their hearts and souls into
> organizing
> these wonderfully enriching conferences, we should be joining Mitzi to
> try
> and solve the glitches)
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