What a day. If you were at the #140edu conference at the 92nd Street Y in New York City then you’ll know that it was a whirlwind of connections, introductions, business cards and some amazing presentations. If you couldn’t make it this year then be sure to attend next year on July 31st and August 1st. I said this many times throughout the past two days but it bears mentioning again: you don’t have to be a teacher or an educator to get something out of #140edu, everyone can stand to learn something from this amazing conference.

Eric Sheninger (@NMHS_Principal), principal at New Milford High talks about his initial aversion to social media and his subsequent change of heart.

Tom Krieglstein (@tomkrieglstein) talking about how social media connections can be like a school dance, either there are a few leaders in the middle and a ton of wallflowers or everyone is dancing from wall to wall. A metaphor that rings true to any prom veterans.

From left to right Shelly S Terrell (@ShellTerrell), Donna Murdoch (@donnamurdoch), John Mikulski (@JohnMikulski), Dr. Douglas Green (@drdouggreen). I really liked Dr. Doug’s idea of doing away with grading and embracing a ‘merit badge’ approach. A system where students would select mini-modules based on interest and take courses in any order they like.

Gregory Corbin (@JustGregPoet) talks about his experience with the Philly Youth Poetry Movement. Check out this CNN link for one of the amazingly moving videos he showed.

See you next year, folks!