Doug did get the chance to visit Shanghai for the first time. It was for a Learning 2.0 conference that was hosted by some local schools. With more than 500 delegates and some exceptional speakers, it was really quite a wonderful experience, though with so much time at the conference, there wasn't much time to see Shanghai.
There were some excellent presentations on using all sorts of technologies to help kids take ownership over their learning while challenging them to become better critical thinkers and have the skills necessary for success in the future.
In addition to some inspiring stories and examples (including a presenter who lives in northern Manitoba and has used the web to connect his kids to all sorts of incredible learning experiences), there were also some concrete ideas on having students use Digital Storytelling strategies to increase their literacy skills while meeting a larger audience.
One of the serendipitous events was running into people from all over the globe. From my time in Peru, I briefly reconnected with Susan Young and Tim Boyer, who are now principals in Delhi, and some of the most incredible people you will ever meet. Linda Wegener, also from Lima, is now in Shanghai, and Dianne Salminen from our time in Jordan is now in Jakarta -- and all were at the conference.
In the small world of international schools, it was neat to also meet Dave Navis -- who is now in Hong Kong, but took my position after I left Lima more than a decade ago. We had communicated quite a bit, but this was the first time we had met.
Much time was also spent with my former boss, Chad Bates (pictured, right), who is now in Bangkok, and some of his colleagues (Dennis Harter, pictured on the left, also made the move from KL to Bangkok a few years ago.) as well as the six of us from KL that made the trip.
Bringing home gifts for the kids is also quite fun -- with their matching T-shirts. (Silly faces sold separately.)
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