Come along and participate in the next unconference.

What is an unconference? according to wikipedia: An unconference is a participant-driven meeting. The term "unconference" has been applied, or self-applied, to a wide range of gatherings that try to avoid one or more aspects of a conventional conference, such as high fees, sponsored presentations, and top-down organization.

Styles of facilitation

An unconference can be conducted using a number of different facilitation styles. Some of these are:

• Barcamp
• Birds of a Feather
• Fishbowl (conversation)
• Knowledge Cafe
• Lightning Talks
• Open Space Technology
• Pecha Kucha
• Speed Geeking
• TeachMeet
• World Café^[4

The accompanying Law of Two Feet states, “[I]f at any time you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing—use your two feet and move to some place more to your liking.” http://www.digital-web.com/articles/understanding_the_unconference/

"The unconference format is based on the premise that in any professional gathering, the people in the audience—not just those selected to speak on stage—have interesting thoughts, insights, and expertise to share." Understanding the Unconference

For further information about Unconferences see the Unconference Blog. 


DERNSW The 1:1 Learning Unconference 


on 20/21 June @ Darling Harbour Sydney Convention Centre 


is now open for registration.


Follow the conference preparation and information at the following sites: 
Blog:     Twitter: @DERNSW_Official       Faceboook Fan Page     LinkedIN Group:
Further reading: Think Different: The Unconference Learning Experience                        A Tale of Two PD’s by Tom Whitby

                              

 

Professional Learning needs to take a new direction.

 Ben Jones is a Professional Learning and Curriculum Support Project officer with the NSWDET Program delivering the Digital Education Revolution is NSW Public Schools.

Recently Ben posted: If we can’t teach ourselves, who can we teach?
Ben states that: "We are at a cross road with professional learning. Down Status Quo Avenue we can continue to feed, structure and support our dependence on the 16th century professional learning models. The alternative path leads down ‘New Directions’ street requires us to evaluate our position, and then most importantly we need to play our position.

The provision of the Connected Classrooms in our schools and the widespread availability of webinars, online training modules and tutorials open many doors for growing knowledge.

Explore Ben's questions for reflection:
Consider what professional learning could look like?

I particularly love one these professional learning suggestions from Ben which would help build a strong and supportive school culture:

■Provide extra relief time post professional learning for teachers to
pay it forward making it part of school culture and
 ■Build a culture of play and exploration by time tabling 15 minutes play!!

Digital Educational Revolution (DER)

Is this Technically the Best 1:1 Rollout in the World? provides a comprehensive overview of the DER posted 20 August, 2009 by Stu Hasic.

Included is an informative video for students to get their heads around the laptop program.