Reflections of ISTE 2010, Denver

It was great to attend the conference and to connect with other educators attending for the same reasons - to learn, to connect, to re-connect. It was especially fun to meet the real person behind the avatar in the second life / virtual world forums. (Although, it was a little embarrassing to meet the ISTE docent from ISTE Island who had to help me detach my flailing purse in Second Life two weeks ago.)
My feeling is that the "avatar" learning for K-12 is in its infancy. It will grow slowly, and then perhaps boom. I want to be ready with a virtual environment to offer students and teachers. Second Life-type environments (Reaction Grid, Active Worlds, Second Life Teen Grid) are available; some are more costly than others. Some teachers will use this simulation area while others refuse it. Let's be ready in our Distance Learning departments to meet the challenge.