May 2010 – Page 12 – Silence and Voice

Welcome to the 7th International Conference on Networked Learning

The Networked Learning Conference 2010 just began. With this conference being the reason for my entire trip, it is nice that the formal conference itself has finally begun.

The venue of this large conference room in the Hotel Hvide Hus in Aalborg, Denmark. I love that in their introduction, the opening welcome panel even showed a map of Denmark, to (humorously) show the participants where we all are (partly due to the fact that this conference has until very recently been a primarily UK-based biannual event). The intro speakers included David McConnell (Glasgow Caledonian), Vivien Hodgson (Lancaster University), Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld (Aalborg University), and Thomas Ryberg (Aalborg University).

They discussed the growth of this conference in the Networked Learning area (a cross between educational technology with a communities of practice bent), how it is becoming even more international (by which they mean people from North America!), some information about the city of Aalborg and Aalborg University, as well as some conference logistics (the helpers in each of the conference rooms, the Twitter tag #nlc2010, and some room changes).

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-05-02

We are engaging in a Skype video in a conference room during our @CPsquare #cp2aal. #
We are about to have a live online chat in the @cpsquare session at #cp2aal about the developing PhD group. DT me is interested. #
I was successfully able to streamline my intro in the #cp2aal unconference @cpsquare #
Did I mention recently that I hate the CoP term Legitimate Peripheral participation – to say the term "legitimate" implies illegitimacy. #
Fascinating to hear about Webheads in Action http://bit.ly/7VmlKV, the online community of practice. #
It is fascinating to hear the stories of how the @cpsquare members here at #cp2aal did what they did to become who they are. #
We have an informal pre-conference / unconference for @cpsquare in @Aalborg. Any other members or those interested? Come join us. #
We are using a website that allows for shared notetaking in real time – http://typewith.me/ #
Just heard @smithjd talk about network weaving; interesting new concept for me to explore a little more. #
Enjoyed breakfast before the #CP2 pre-conference. Now, where did everybody go? #

Copenhagen, Denmark 2010

Though I was only in Copenhagen, Denmark, for one evening, I did realize that it is among the more beautiful cities I have visited.

If only it would not have been a holiday — many of the stores and restaurants were closed, and I cannot imagine how bustling this city must be on a regular and sunny day.

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-05-01

Had a great #CP2 pre-conference dinner before #nlc2010. Lots of fun and learning ahead for tomorrow. #
Having a drink with some of my colleagues from #CP2 before #nlc2010. In this ancient building from the 1600's. #
Checked into the Hotel Hvide Hus in #Aalborg for #NLC2010, and like the view from the room. #
Then, when I arrived at the #Aalborg airport in the north of Denmark, people waiting for others on the flight came in through the exit door #
Nobody ever checked my id at the #Copenhagen airport #CPH. I went through security fine and flew without ever a request for a passport. #
Denmark has some scary gaps in airline security that I have seen today. #
Just arrived in #Aalborg for #nlc2010. #
Finally boarded the plane for #Aalborg #nlc2010. Too bad one of the other passengers avoided deodorant today. 🙁 #
Farewell, #Copenhagen. #
Having breakfast in the hotel. What a buzz of activity. #