Reunion in Rochester?

Hello my Level II friends,

It’s hard to believe that the school year is winding down so quickly.  Even as I write this, I’m realizing that many of you, in other states and countries, may very well be enjoying your summer break already.  I hope that everyone has had an enjoyable and productive year.

Over the past few weeks, Janet Robbins and I have been having some great conversations about our group and the blog that was created last summer.   Janet is quite interested in understanding how well the blog was able to help us exchange ideas and converse about our work with students.  She believes that our discussions and collaboration may be relevant for a session that will be presented at the St. Louis Orff conference next fall.  She hopes that a few members of our group will be on hand at the conference and able to take part in the presentation.

Although there have been posts added to the blog throughout the year, not many of us have been “authors” or made comments.  Together, Janet and I have wondered about this.  Our assumption is that most people from the group would like to remain in contact.  We also assume that folks in the group appreciate discussions about our experiences in the classroom, even if the blog isn’t the best way to foster this.

We discussed several issues related to this.  Some of our questions are…

• Is it possible for the blog to become a viable tool for connection and discussion?
• Are there other technology tools that could better foster communication?  (Skype, Facebook, other blogging tools)
• Does the use of technology and internet tools inhibit some in the group from taking part?
• Could a learning community take shape through more structure?  Leadership?  Discussion topics?  Research tasks?

Then we started dreaming a bit.  We decided that it would be really great if we could gather members of our Level II class for some face to face discussions and sharing.  Janet contacted Donna Fox at Eastman to propose that we have such a gathering at some point during this year's levels courses.  Donna is supportive of the idea and would like to provide us with lunch and a classroom so that our reunion can take place.  If possible, she hopes to find us a space that would allow us to "skype" in other members of the group who want to participate in the discussion but can’t come to Rochester for the day.  (Sadly, lunch cannot be provided for those who participate via the internet.  Sorry.)

The date suggested for this gathering is Wednesday, July 25.  Another possibility would be Friday, July 27.  Most likely this would be an afternoon meeting, ending around 3:00 so that we could join the levels students for the tutti session that afternoon.

Please write back and let me know if you are interested in being part of such a gathering.  If so, are you able to make it to Rochester, or would you need to participate via the internet?  Which date would be better for you?

There are many reasons why I hope that this event can take place.  At the top of that list is a chance to see as many of you as possible.  I hope that my connection to each of you will continue for many, many years.

If you have time to respond before July 1, it would be very helpful.

Thanks for considering this.

Rob