I while ago I blogged about the opportunity I would soon have to speak to my peers at the CETPA conference.  That opportunity has come and gone, and as expected, I am a better man for the experience.

I began the 50 minute session with a terrible case of cotton mouth, but was not worried due to the fact that I had enough intelligence to prepare a glass of water before hand to have at the presentation table.  Unfortunately, I didn't have enough intelligence to control the movement of my hands around the presentation table.  I soon knocked the glass of water over and covered my pants.  I suppose I should be glad that I didn't cover my computer!

Despite those problems, the 30 minutes of my presentation went well, and I said what I needed to say during that time.  What was really important to me was that I didn't ramble on and use the entire time spouting what I thought to a bunch of really intelligent people who likely had some important ideas of their own.  I controlled myself, and what I received in return was 20 minutes of conversation that I (and I think the others in the room) wish could have lasted for another hour or so.

We started talking about what our mission as technologists in education really is, and I have to say, I was absolutely psyched at how natural the move was from technology to education.  The people WANTED to go there, and they were looking for ways to make it happen.

The entire conference, in fact, had a focus on education that had in the past been missing.  The feeling was palpable - something is happening.  Something good, something right, something exciting!  I am renewed and invigorated, and I can't wait to push forward with the changes that must come for the benefit of our kids...