CUEBC (Computer using Educators of British Columbia) recently held a series of workshops in Vancouver concerning technology in education: Horizon 2009. For a software geek, there is no experience more thrilling than to sit in a room full of educators exchanging ideas and experiences on how best to use technology in the classroom.

There were several highlights for me. First, there were a lot of creativity tools out there to fire up the student imagination, things like prezi, voicethread and comiclife looked great. Second, given the availability of Web2.0 apps, the students developed their own learning networks. There was a natural predisposition of students to ask other students for help, and for their peers to respond. Students learning from other students was not seen as cheating. In fact, learning networks were seen as critical to a student’s success in education. The role of the teacher seems to be evolving into something like a “community organizer”. Third, the web brings the world into the classroom. It was fascinating to hear about two classrooms on opposite sides of the world doing a group project. Last but not least, technology proved that it could overcome some difficult learning barriers. For example, painfully shy students are more willing to express themselves in an alternate medium like chat than directly in class. Many students who dropped out of school find a second chance through online learning.

The workshops had far more to it than these few observations. The teachers talked about difficulties associated with administrative red-tape. It was interesting to discover that the “older teachers” experienced greater success with technology in the classroom because of their ability to exercise more effective class management. The two invited speakers, Chris Kennedy and Steve Hargadon, made awfully good points and facilitated excellent workshops. Web2.0 technologies are a game-changer in education, whether the focus is on personalized learning networks or on broader education networks.

During the event, I was invited to show Topicmarks. This was most kind. It tells you a lot about the curiosity and enthusiasm among teachers about new technology, that they would allow an interloper like me to peddle my wares.

Long story short, there is nothing like Topicmarks out there in the education arena. The application of the technology seems manifold, from advancing the learning experience through information scaffolding, creating study guides, helping kids when english is the second language, removing textbooks from the classroom, etc. I shudder to think what would have happened had I been able to give the full Topicmarks demo.

Allow me to end by expressing my deep appreciation to the teachers of British Columbia for a wonderful few days.