Reflections on Rejections and Inclusions

I was challenged this semester to be a part of an online community and explore the “community” of this environment in an online context. As the semester progressed, my original choice of an online environment, a Blended Learning professional learning course I was facilitating ended. I looked for a new online community to join.

So, the notice came up that Apple was accepting applications to attend their week long professional learning and networking conference. I applied to go and be an Apple Distinguished Educator and participate in the weeklong session in July. I started following the #hashtags associated with the conference application process: #adechat, #ade2015. In that community, people started sharing their video applications.

Wow, was I impressed. Educators are doing #eduawesome things around the nation and around the world. I found myself watching these videos instead of any old Netflix movie. I mean, these things were exciting! I found numerous new innovators to follow and learn from on Twitter. Of course, I will continue to have the #adechat AND the #adereject in my TweetDeck.

And so, alas, big sigh, I was not selected to be a part of the conference experience this summer. I cannot claim this prize. Will I continue to follow? My goodness yes! Will I continue to participate in the conversation? Why, of course! Am I happy with the professional learning network that was expanded by participating? Yes, can I count the ways? No, they are innumerable.

Some take-aways I have from the experience are not new lessons, they are lessons in practice. I have applied for MANY things that I have been rejected from participating in. And, my philosophy is such that if you don’t apply, you won’t EVER get accepted. This time, I was rejected by Apple (what were they thinking?!?) but recently found a community of people organizing a conference about Personalized Learning and I volunteered to be a conference presenter proposal reviewer. I am SO excited for this opportunity!

One door closes, and a window opens up!