The second-day keynote speaker, Chris Held--middle school teacher and educational technology coordinator in the Bellevue, WA public school system challenged the largest NECC crowd ever to put technology into fourth place, behind:

• a sound philosophy--the catalyst for powerful ideas;
• epistemology--powerful learning based upon proven research;
• pedagogy--powerful teaching...common sense blended with the best of traditional ways with the most promising new ideas; and
• technology--powerful tools for both teacher and learner.

Earlier, Dr. Linda Roberts of the U.S. Department of Education presented awards from Compaq Corporation and Multimedia Schools magazine to students in elementary, middle and high schools. Two of the 1997 ThinkQuest winning projects were also represented at the conference.

The day's events featured the world premiere of "Learn and Live", a new videotape resource from the George Lucas Educational Foundation that is narrated by Robin Williams with exemplary practice footage from schools that have integrated technology into the overall program. This video and material is available for "unrestricted" use for $20.00 from the foundation, as long as proper attribution is given.

The final day was opened by Cultural Anthropologist Dr. Jennifer James on themes from her latest book "Thinking in the Future Tense" in a talk filled with eye-opening observations on change in our world and practical tips for educators on ways to develop specific tools for managing the rapid pace of change and develop the skills needed to thrive in the 21st Century. Later at the conference luncheon, Eric Enderton of Industrial Light and Magic provided a dramatic audio-visual explanation on the use of computers to create the mind-boggling special effects in so many of today's motion pictures... from "Forrest Gump" to "The Lost World".