Teach42

Are you sick of hearing about conference structure yet? Unfortunately, I’m not so bear with me!

There’s a great conversation going on at Exactly 2 Cents right now. If this topic resonates with you, I suggest you visit there and chime in.

A few highlights:

Dave Warlick

… There is talent, skill, and perspective in the presentation room that is being wasted in the standard dog and pony show. However, technologies are emerging that can help us to tap into those opportunities. The question that I ask is what is the best use of that hour, and what is the best use of the digital information infrastructure that extends past that hour and that presentation room. In which arena should the audience be listening and watching, and in which should they be collaborating.

Janice Friesen

I have attended the TRLD conference and they tried something interesting with a little success last time and I am curious what you would think about it. At the end of the preconference day they took several of the topics that were talked about and labeled tables of ten with these topics. Then people could sign up to participate in a discussion on the topic. Coffee and cookies were served, so it was a relaxed environment for people who were interested in a particular topic to discuss it further with others who may not have been presenting, but have something to share.

John Pederson

What we need is a completely different kind of conference. Let NECC (and most of the others) be the way they are. I’m looking for a different type of experience. Dave Winer has a post from a little over a year ago talking about the “unconference” format…a different way to structure the learning for everybody involved.

I recently attended a regional conference/workshop that followed this format…it was the most unbelieveable experience…very, very different…very, very engaging. Let’s build of Dave Weinberger’s “knowledge is conversation”.

It requires a deliberate attempt on the part of conference organizers to structure the conference different. Cap the registration somewhere in the low hundreds, 2 days, single track, structure time for breakout discussions, and please, please provide connectivity. :O) Let the people have a conversation amongst themselves and hopefully with others via the net.

Stop by Dave’s post and throw in your own two cents if you have any thoughts on the matter.

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