ONLINE EDUCA 2009 an impression

Over 2000 participants from the world of Learning and Technology attended the 15th edition of ONLINE EDUCA BERLIN 2009. More than ever before, the largest European conference on Technology and Learning celebrated interactivity and innovation. Share, innovate and succeed were this year’s keywords – and that’s exactly what participants did, both off- and online. The best way to stay focused an informed this year was with Twitter, making good use of the conference hashtag.

Blog headlines made some sessions, such as the Online Educa Debate. Knifes were sharpened in a packed room when psychologist Aric Sigman, author of 'The Spoilt Generation' and 'How Television is Damaging Our Lives' (naturally) defended the following motion: “The increasing use of technology and social software is damaging students' minds and undermining the benefits of traditional methods of learning." Opposing this motion with a vengeance was Donald Clarke, who seemed to enjoy a bit of personal Aric Sigman bashing, accusing him of cherry-picking - I wonder whose cherry he was talking about. In the end Donald won the debate with a surprisingly small margin.

Not just the old and wise men and women from the field of technology enhanced learning had their chance to speak up; the School Session featured six kids (ok, taller than me) from the Humboldt Gymnasium and the Nelson Mandela School, to talk about their use of technology. It's tough being a student in a Berlin school; if you are lucky enough to have a few working computers in school, chances are that you have no access because as we all know the Internet contains many awful sites. Most B erlin schools have also banned Facebook as the #1 online evil. At the same time teachers expect students in secondary schools to access their homework and their research online, without venturing deeper into the topics of plagiarism, reliable research or how to use Creative Commons. "Creative wie bitte?"