Elluminate

So... what were you doing at 10 pm last night? Well, I was gathered with a small group of risk takers in Melanie Holtsman's den, learning to use a new tool called Elluminate! Melanie invited several teachers to join her for a live Internet chat with a college class of pre-service teachers in Canada and practicing teachers from around North America. The college course introduces novice educators to blogging by asking them to choose an educational blog to follow, comment often and take a sincere interest. First grade teacher Maria Mallon and fourth grade teacher Meli Launey joined other teachers from across the Americas, telling the college students about their particular blogs at Chets Creek. The 10 pm time was due to instructor Dean Shareski's college class meeting in a time zone three hours earlier. Sure, we could have each joined the Elluminate discussion from our own homes (and maybe because of this experience, next time we will), but it is always easier to try something so new in the presence of friends! At least they can help you appear not quite so stupid in the presence of technology greatness!

I guess that's one of the things that I love so much about Chets Creek, and one of the reasons that it would be so hard to ever leave - there is always something new to learn, people who are willing to take risks with you and put themselves on the cutting edge. They keep my zone of proximal development at the very edge of my ability (sort of like the edge of a cliff!) and ALWAYS offer the scaffolding that I need to fly with the eagles! Elluminate... here I come!