Spotlight on Digital Media And Learning

12.2.09 | Innovative in both its focus and approach, the K12 Online Conference brings together a diverse set of voices from around the world in a unique setting: It’s completely online, and it’s free.

More than 50 presentations will be posted to the conference blog and Ning community between Dec. 7-17 for participants to view, download and discuss. Live events are also scheduled, and events will continue in 2010 with twice-monthly “K-12 Online Echo” webcasts on EdTechTalk. First-timers can get an overview of the conference at this wiki site.

Patrick Woessner, a middle school instructional technology coordinator and one of the conference chairs, calls the conference a unique and valuable professional development opportunity.

Because it’s entirely online, the conference can bring educators together from around the world and create a global community of learners. Spreading the conference out over a period of time increases opportunities for participation, and there’s no cost barrier.

This year’s theme, Bridging the Divide, underscores one of the greatest challenges facing educators—getting educators involved who otherwise would not gravitate toward online learning, says Woessner. His website, Technology in the Middle, is a resource for innovative curricula ideas and digital learning tools.

“Spreading the word to teachers who may not be ‘plugged in’ and making them aware of the conference and its depth has been a focus for us.”