Embracing the Weird

 ACTEM 2021

The Virtual Edition 2.0

    This year, the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine held their annual fall conference on-line, once again. The sign of the times. While this might sound like a gripe, and believe me, when I have gripes, I try to let them be known, this experience was excellent, inspirational, calming, while tinged with some minor frustration. It was to be expected. There were several terrific speakers, in the exhibitions as well as the main stage. I am currently reviewing Michael Matera's presentation to help reinvigorate my thoughts. Amongst these presentations, there were some unfortunate parts to this experience that stem directly from utilizing an on-line platform. For a large group of technologically inclined educators, there will still be no shortage of technical hurdles that prove too tedious and difficult to overcome. Maintaining everyone's health and safety is paramount, however. Hopefully, the techniques and tools presented by our colleagues can guide the rest of us through these rapidly changing times so as to better prepare for any eventuality. 

    For my part, I was thrilled to share my ideas on developing a writing unit for my "classroom". I use quotation marks because, while I do not have a classroom as of yet, I truly do intend to use this lesson plan. I believe that it will have a great impact on students, inspiring them to write and let creativity flow. Already I am diverting on a tangent. But that should show just how invested I am in this. I can't help but excitedly pull you, my reader, into this awkward, one-way conversation where I go on and on about my ideas while you nervously look for any unlocked exits. I nearly went well over my allotted time while discussing just a few ways that students can develop their writing process. Technology lets us define a 'story' in broader terms while still retaining important details: plot; acts 1, 2, and 3; and climax. These are the same terms used labeling the parts of a movie trailer. So why not combine this with writing a short story? Role playing games have found ways to assist players in generating character ideas so that these fictional representations don't seem flat and boring. So when these games moved on with the times, found ways that to let technology help by creating random trait generators, the players benefitted. Again, why not let the help us, as writers and creators. Right, I can see your eyes trying to find a way out. I will move on. 

    Prior to returning to college and furthering my education (in order to be an educator, I know, irony and all that), I spent a few years working as a farrier. The first horseshoes to be used can be dated back roughly 4,000 years, so it is safe to say that this is an old profession. Yet new methods and ideas are always shifting into focus. As professionals, it was our duty to further our understanding of the horse and its hoof so as to better care for these animals and their riders. Conferences such as ACTEM's fall conference present opportunities for all of us working in the field of education to learn from each other. We can share our ideas, network, learn new methods to improve the classroom experiences for our students. So, yes, the answer to the question is yes. I will definitely attend more conferences. I hope to have the chance to speak at one again, as well. I know, I know. I'll try to limit myself to a better script for next time. And may I never need to do another 'death by PowerPoint' (Google Slides) again.