NCCE 2005 -- Seattle -- Day Two

Today began with a workshop about using Google as a search engine. Titled "Google 201: Advanced Googology", this session was put on by Patrick Crispen from California State University at Long Beach.

His was a very effective (and entertaining!) presentation. Some of the search tools and methods are certainly beyond the basics, the fact that he took a few moments to begin with and try and describe (in quite understandable terms) how Google works was very helpful.

Patrick has a web site of his own -- NetSquirrel.com -- where he told us we could download the PowerPoint presentation that he showed us today. I've also discovered at his site a number of other helpful articles and presentations. A great discovery! (He also has, by the way, a presentation there called Google 101 along with a number of other resources for teachers available here.)

The subtitle of Patrick's website, by the way, is --- a free collection of Internet, PC, and classroom resources. I think his is a great resource and well worth regular visits.

The opening keynote speech this morning was given by Cile Chavez. She was a very effective speaker. Her talk was more in the inspirational vein but, again, very well presented and enjoyable.

Thursday afternoon included a visit to the Exhibitors area and a session on digital video. Presented by Deb Postlewait, the title was “Dreaming, Screaming, Streaming: Digital Video at its Best and Worst.”

The focus here was on examples of good video (which would mean good visual quality [sharpness, decent lighting, effecting framing and shooting angles, etc.]) and audio (sufficient volume, no distortion, etc.). Some samples of good and not-so-good video were shown. The importance of content over effects was also emphasized. The ability of video to immediately show audience context was another central point (she put up the word “trunk” and asked people what the word conjured in their mind. She got responses such as “elephant,” car trunk, tree trunk, among others. She then showed a short video of elephants as her example of how to immediately focus the discussion.) Ms. Postelwait is a consultant and part of a company called VividTech (www.vividtech.net) and she seemed quite knowledgeable.