JISC Innovating e-Learning online conference
The registration process for the JISC Innovating e-Learning online conference has just been opened. As its title suggests, this is a fully online experience and therefore the cost for registration is a mere £50. Unfortunately, although the themes for the conference have been announced there is currently no further detail about the sessions or presentations that will be in the conference. However, the general themes (“Finding the Way” and “Meeting the Challenge”) do look interesting and there’s some well known names listed as presenters.
The conference website provides further details of how the conference works and what is required to “attend” however it is a blend of asynchronous communications, live sessions and electronic materials with the real emphasis being on the asynchronous communications. Delegates are given access to conference materials a week before the conference begins so that they can look at the presentations and prepare themselves. During the conference proper there will be two days for each theme when discussion forums will be open. The conference organisers recommend setting aside a minimum of 2-3 hours per day to “attend” the conference.
Personally, I think I’m going to give it a go…not just because I’m interested in the content but because I’ve never taken part in an online conference and I really want to see how it works. I think it’ll be a bit of a challenge as it will require a little more personal commitment than a standard conference where it’s actually quite easy to be a passive observer. To get the most out of this will require really engaging with the material up front and then actively participating in the various forums available. I’ll also have to be disciplined about setting aside time to do all this. It’s relatively easy to book a couple of days and disappear from the office. It may require more discipline to hang a note on the office door and say “I’m attending a conference” for a couple of hours each day. Although a standard conference might cost more money, it could be argued it’s potentially an easier ride for the delegate. Actually, on the cost theme, I’m not convinced that this type of online conference will cost me less in time, it may end up costing more but if I end up getting more out of it then that’s definitely time well spent. As someone who’s never really been able to fully exploit the networking potential of the average conference I wonder if the virtual conference might suit me better. It seems like it has the potential to be much more of an “active” learning experience, isn’t that exactly what I advocate in my every day working life?
I notice there are going to be some sessions in Second Life. I’m afraid I may have to draw the line at attending those as my only Second Life experience to date has been largely made up of walking into walls and being unable to figure out how to sit on a seat. Maybe next year?
Links
JISC Innovating e-Learning online conference website
Photo Credit
krossbow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/krossbow/3217814356/