Last day, some R&R

Friday, April 4

Where else can you Ski in the morning, and Four-Wheel in desert in the after noon?

Friday is the weekend in Islamic countries, similar to our Sunday. Government offices are officially closed and people get to rest, pray, and R&R for a day. In some countries in this region you get two days off. So, our group split some went to the mall, others to the beach and we decided to head for Skiing in the mall after breakfast!!

SKI Dubai provides you with your outfit including skis and poles. everything you need except gloves and hat, but you can pick some up right there in the store. the line was nonexistent so we got dressed quickly and off we went. The runs are quick and fun. No black diamonds here, Mostly Blue. The yhad also setup some jumps to make things more exciting. You get to ski for 2 hrs all inclusive for 150 AED, that's about $42. Not too bad.










After a quick lunch at Peter's hotel, Hall, and I joined up for a Desert Safari treat. But before that, I had to take a picture with the Indian door man. Check out his mustache, very cool!!










The Safari trip consists of :

• BBQ dinner, local style
• Dune Bashing
• Sand boarding, (missed on that one)
• Camel Riding
• Photograph in local dresses (missed that too)
• Sheesha (skiped that)
• Belly dancing (I think)
  
• Henna Painting ( not for me)
• Four Wheeling, now that was good!!

Deserting on a Toyota Land Crusier with a local sand dune expert driver is some thing everyone should experience. After driving out of town for 30 minutes or so, the driver let out half of the air out of each tire to create better traction. Then seven SUVs start chasing each other off the road on the sand dunes twisting and turning - roller coaster style. There is a good reason they have added those safety bars. WOW!!! These guys know how to drive. ( I need to add Peter's video here). After a camel ride and delicious BBQ dinner in the middle of desert facing the sunset, we enjoyed peace and quiet in a cool desert breeze. We were so exhausted from the week; jam packed with activities and events that we mostly slept through the Belly dancing. The setting was very relaxing and the dinner hit the spot. I could have spent the night there; and you have that option as well. I highly recommend it.

Conference - Day 3

Thursday , April 3

GETEX Exhibition

I spent the morning in the Exhibition area. 30,000 visitors are expected to tour the 450 stands offering study options in almost 40 countries.Universities and institutions of higher education gather here from accross the world to invite students in this region to join their institution. The size of the exhibit hall is mind boggling!!! representatives from every corner of the earth are represented here. Check the flags of each country and the variety they represent.









After lunch I attended

Conference - Day 2

Wednesday, April 2

After quick breakfast, Chris O'neal started his sesion focusing on web 2.0. An opportunity for teachers to enhance the classroom and for the students to add meaningful technology experiences to their entire education process. Chirs shared some great resources on Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts, Netvibes, and shared collaborative opportunites to learn using Google Docs. He also shared about the ISTE NETS - 2.0 focusing on:

• Creativity and innovation
• Communication and collaboration
• Research and Information Fluency
• Critical thinking, Problem Solving & decision-making
• Digital Citizenship
• Technology Operations and Concepts

After the tea break, Chris Moderated the next session on developing School Leadership for using Technology. He looked at the policies, while Dr. Lynn Nolan Presented the national perspectives, and I brought in the school and administration perspective.

After lunch I moderated a Panel on Onto-One Computing. Half way through the presentation someone asked, "what is 1:1 ?". Sometimes we take it for granted and assume everyone is on the same page as we are. This conference brings people from a very broad spectrum. My co-presenters were Julie Lindsay, Head of Information Techology & E-Learning, Qatar Academy and Dr. Betsy Lowry, Director of Online Learning & distance Education, Johns Hopkins University. I started the conversation by posing the question: " How long before every student has a lpatop in your school?" and shared our vision for 1:1. Julie shared some great resources along with a presentation of one of her students with Acsus eeePC. (palce video Here)

I also passed around the eeePC I brought over, along with one of our XO laptops. Most had not seen either one. Betsy shared her expereince with 1:1 in Talbot County in Maryland. It was impressive.

Conference - Day 1

Tuesday, April 1

I grabbed a quick bite for breakfast and rushed to the conference to make sure everything was in place. The entrance looked great and the program was posted at the entrance for everyone to see.



It was only yesterday that they where cutting 2 by4 boards and painting; there was massive work that needed to take place. However, no April fools here; literally hundreds of workers had worked throughout the night. This morning everything is in its place. That's just amazing.



I visited with some of the exhibitors to compare notes with our local exhibits. A lot of similarities and some interesting products.



Next, Dr. Karam, Chariman of the Board of Directors of KHDA, and Director General at KHDA gave the opening address at the conference. He said, “The opportunities that new technology brings to the classroom make this a truly exciting time to be a student. We need to remember, though, that new technology is only as good as the human being who has created it or is using it. The two elements together, technology and people, are what will bring more and more innovation to the process of learning.”

Dr. Don Knezek, CEO of ISTE, started with this quote:
It is not the strongest of the species that survives,
nor the most intelligent
It is the one that is most adaptable to change.
--Charles Darwin

He then proceeded to share the challenges facing educators:

• Study digital age learners and what engages them
• Foster creativity and inventive thinking for innovation
• Understand what tools & strategies are available
• Sustain our own learning and development
• Prepare to contribute in an increasing multicultural setting

Next, I attended a "Panel on Bridging the Digital Divide". Dr. Joyce Pittman, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning with Technology presented the need to make sure no one is left behind, and allow students to create knowledge rather than just consume it. Hind Al Mulla, Head of Innovation for KHDA, shared some data about access across the world and focused on the need for educators "willingness" to let students have opportunity with technology integration.


The last presentation of the day was moderated by Dr. Lynn Nolan, Senior Director for Edcation Leadership, ISTE and the Panel members were: William S. Willis, Director of Technology, American School of Abu Dhabi, and Chris O'neal, Director, technology and Administrative Leadership Outreach program, Curry school of Education, University of Virginia.



After a break, dinner was served. What a feast!! The variety of the food from across the world well demonstrates the diversity of the culture in this region.



After the dinner while walking back toward the hotel, we ran into a wedding in progress. Very entertaining and lively. I have a video clip to post here soon.

Thought of the day
No matter how far apart, or culturally diverse, the technology challenges remain the same. From Doha to Dallas students, teachers, and administrators face very similar challenges. Change is difficult for digital immigrants and the digital natives strive for it.

First day of business

Monday, March 31

Don had asked us to get together for breakfast in the morning to review the program and make last minute changes as needed, visit the World Trade Center - the site for: 2008 Global Forum on Technology & Innovation in Education, and get to know the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) local organizers of the Forum. This was also a great opportunity to get to know other ISTE representatives at the forum. The GETEX – ISTE Global Forum will address:

• Engaging ICT Strategies for Academic Disciplines
• ICT Literacy for Students and Faculty
• ICT and English Language Learning
• ICT, Creativity and Innovation
• Leadership for ICT in Learning
• One-to-One Programs: Technology for Each Student
• Online and Hybrid (Blended) Learning for Students and Faculty
• Projects for Worldwide Learning and Collaboration
• Safe and Responsible Use of ICT and the Internet
• Using Technology to Meet Individual Needs
• Web 2.0: New Tools for New Schools

I feel so privileged and honored to be among such talented group of people.


From right to left (Arabic style :-)
Don, Darcy, Julie, Hall, Lynn, Chris, Betsy, and myself.

• Dr. Donald G. Kenezek - Chief Executive Officer, Internation Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Washington, DC
• Dr. Darcy Walsh - Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Executive Director of the University of Texas Telecampus
• Dr. Julie K Little - Interim Director, Educause Learning Initiative
• Hall Davidson - Director, Discovery Teacher Network
• Dr. Lynn Nolan - Senior Director for Education Leadership, ISTE
• Chris O'Neal - Director, Technology and Administrative Leadership Outreach Program, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia
• Dr. Betsy Lowry - Director of Online Learning and Distance Education, Johns Hopkins University School of Education, Associate Director, John Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education
• Sam Farsaii, Director of Instructional Technology, Irving ISD

After the meeting we headed out to the center for the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). where we were introduced to the staff under the leadership of Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of KHDA.

Upon entering the building and in the board room, the first thing you notice is the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai. Most fascinating is the caption below the picture. It says it all - it is all about education as an investment.









After the meeting I was convinced that Dubai authorities are absolutely determined to spare no expense to insure the best quality of education and resources. To insure this endeavor, they have already started building free zones such as Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Knowledge Village . These cities will insure the future of Dubai is prosperous through investment in education.


Thought for the day
The belief around here is "build it and they will come". Who is there to argue with their unparalleled success? Dubai has grown three times it's size in the past five years. At this rate I would not be surprised if it would over take New York before the end of the next decade.