Category Archives: Tech Matters 2006

In the weeks leading up to Tech Matters 2006, I started a very strange Wiki story about a tech geek who has to make it to Chico on a pink tricycle while avoiding the devious deeds of the menacing Dr. Ho. It was an excercise in collaboration, technology, writing and (I hope) some humor. I have now locked down the story but you can still read, listen and watch the story (it became a multimedia experiment for me at one point).

The Long Road to Chico

Last night, we held a final celebratory gathering at the Hotel Diamond, with good food and good company and plenty of laughs. Joe and I rewrote the title song from the old television series Chico and the Man and we were able to get everyone to sing along. I know you are dying to read the lyrics, so here they are:

In Chico

In Chico, don’t get discouraged,
They just think that you’ll understand.
In Chico, we’ll come together,
Wikis and Weblogs — it all gets out of hand.

Even though there’s heat on the street
We’ve made friends you just can’t beat
And everything we’ve learned will slip away.

And I know, things will get better
Oh yes, they will, just like our leaders planned
Oh, Yes they will, in Chico, it’s all grand.

Someone suggested that we start another Wiki adventure on the way to Nashville, so who knows … we might just dust off that virtual tricycle and hit the road in November (cold winds blowing).

And when I finish editing my very odd multimedia poem, I will send that along to everyone. Thanks for letting me videotape your eyeballs!

Peace,

Kevin

Welcome to the final musings of Tech Matters 2006

I am still a bit scattered about my thoughts today but here is what comes to light this week: I need to start exploring a path away from Manila-based Weblogs, which have been the only tool in my box. I am already seeing some of the limitations at my sites and feel the need for something more flexible and manageable for the projects that I am running.

My goal is continuity — keeping our TCs and program leaders connected with the site because there does seem to be interest in remaining connected but there aren’t feasible ways to do that — Not everyone can come to the Saturday morning writing sessions or all the workshops. Technology provides a way to develop continuity.
So here I am, using WordPress on the advice of many people in this room whose opinions I value, and trying to get used to its features. My goal down the road is to establish server space for our state NWP network for newsletter blogs that can feature news, teacher writing and other information in a coherent way.

Thanks for reading.

Kevin

Today is Saturday and this is our last day of Tech Matters 2006.
I forgot my digi camera (doh) but here is a flickr slide show that others put together.
There has been so many applications and possibilities out there so the question now is how to sort it all out.

I have no idea what this blog will be used for but I want to learn WordPress a bit as I can see the shift away from Manila to WordPress (there seems to be definite momentum in that direction).

Meanwhile — Thanks to Tonya for showing me a new way to do stop motion animation movies — COOL!

Tomorrow is the long day of returning home.

Kevin

We’re in Chico and it is wicked hot out there today.

But inside this air conditioned room
with computers working overtime
and brains bombarded by ideas

The real work begins
for the tech liaisons

Here’s what we’ve been working on:

Bloglines
RSS feeds
Wikis
Social Bookmarking
Writely