Skip to main content

ISTE just confirmed that Gary will be joining the keynote debate stage. Seeing our community push for this meaningful dialogue makes me believe that our field is finally ready to move beyond commercial talking points.

July 13, 2009

Ask ISTE to include Dr. Stager in their NECC keynote debate

Ask ISTE to include Dr. Stager in their NECC keynote debate

🏆 Won — 142 supporters Verified

Final supporters

S
Someone
D
dlcxqke
M
mungai n.
U
uersmko
F
fwfnflpoqe
T
tdxyazvzxvv
M
Mike H.
C
Cynthia S.
B
Brenda S.
G
Glenn M.
+132 more
Started by Anonymous 17 years, 4 months ago
The National Educational Computing Conference is the educational technology community's premiere event. Gary Stager has presented at NECC dozens of times since 1987 and has contributed to the success of the conference in any way ever asked of him. For many years, Dr. Stager has expressed concern about the dominance of commercial influence on the program; the lack of thoughtful debate featured at NECC; and the tiny percentage of keynote speakers who represent the educational computing community. This year's two keynote speakers, while popular authors, have at best a tangential connection to the field we represent. For many years, Stager has urged his friends and colleagues at ISTE to feature moderated discussions, ala The Charlie Rose Show or Meet the Press, during NECC. This year, ISTE has decided to host a keynote event, Dialogue and Debate, on June 30th. This is a welcome step towards expanding dialogue at NECC. Dr. Stager has offered to participate in this panel. Colleagues have also suggested his participation to ISTE officials without an affirmative response. Please read the sponsor message on this page and add your signature to this petition asking the NECC organizers and ISTE officials to invite Dr. Stager to participate in this year's keynote event. His participation will certainly enrich the debate.

Updates

May 7, 2009

I have been hearing from so many of you who feel the same frustration regarding the lack of genuine expertise on our keynote stages. The silence from the organizers is telling but it only confirms why we need to keep pushing for a conversation that actually reflects the heart of our community.

May 7, 2009

Seeing this level of support for Gary reminds me why so many of us have spent years fighting for meaningful dialogue at this conference. Your energy is confirming what I have known for a long time about the depth of this community.

Reached 100 supporters

May 7, 2009

6 Comments

L
linda Becker
17 years ago Featured

Why exclude him? He actually challenges the status quo which is what we need if we want to improve anything.

D
david Griffin
17 years ago Featured

Gary has been doing this longer than most of the people running the show. Give him the mic!

S
sarah Ward
17 years ago Featured

NECC has become way too corporate lately. We need real educators like Gary to actually speak their minds for once.

K
kevin Doyle
17 years ago Featured

Bring back the actual tech people. Stop ignoring the folks who have been here since the start.

J
jennifer Ferguson
17 years ago Featured

ISTE is dropping the ball big time. The keynotes are boring and lack any real substance. Let him debate.

M
mark Alvarez
17 years ago Featured

Stager is the only one who actually knows this field inside and out. Makes no sense to leave him off the stage.