Category Archives: jiscel11

Looking back at online conferences for now

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

With the current situation impacting on conferences, events and teaching, there is a lot of talk and posts out there on how to deliver online teaching, as well as moving conference to online events.

Ten years ago or so, Jisc ran for a few years an online e-learning conference. I participated in these as a delegate, a keynote speaker and for some of these I was the conference blogger and wrote a blog called “Letters from the Edge”.

Letters from the Edge

It can be useful to have an online space (a blog) where someone addresses what is happening in the conference (and elsewhere).

I also published some ramblings about the advantages of an online conference on my blog about advantages of online conferences, many of which still stand up today and are also useful potentially for those who are planning some online delivery.

In this post I discuss some of the challenges, but also many of the advantages of an online conferences.

Why an online conference?

A video about the advantages of an online conference, however it doesn’t take self-isolating into account.

Advantages of an online conference

This post based on the experiences of supporting and delivering webinars over the years and some tips.

Webinaring it

 

This post talks about the discussions that are possible in an online conference. You will find much more discussion and debate takes place than at a traditional conference. Not only that, the conversations happen over time, allowing for reflection and checking sources. It’s also all written down. This makes it very easy to check back and see what someone said before making a different point. Sharing links and ideas is also so much easier too.

Virtually

Wherever you are… is a short humorous video, that looks at how you can participate in conferences from any location, which for most people will be home these days.

Wherever you are…

Online conferences can facilitate more in-depth discussions than at traditional conferences.

Due to the textual and asynchronous nature of an online conference discussion it is possible to engage in the conversation either immediately or after a period of reflection over the two days of discussion for each of the themes. it’s a real opportunity to take the time to debate the issues that arise out of the presentation with fellow practitioners and experts.

Challenging Discussions

I am sure if you ask a lot of people why they attend conferences, in addition to the keynotes and sessions, one aspect that will come out is the networking and social aspects of the conference. So isn’t all this social and networking all lost with an online conference, I hear you cry! Well in a way, yes! And in a way, no!

Social awkwardness

Some may find it useful in these difficult and challenging times.

Innovating e-Learning 2011 – Can you afford to miss it?

The JISC Online Conference, Innovating e-Learning 2011, has opened with a pre-conference Activity Week preparing the way for next week’s main conference programme 22-25 November.

Are you interested in?

  • Technology-mediated learning and teaching
  • Institutional efficiency and curriculum transformation
  • Open educational practice
  • Introducing change in assessment practice
  • Digital literacies
  • Students as agents of change in curriculum enhancement

Do you want to know more about?

  • Using Facebook in learning and teaching
  • Using Web 2.0 technologies to create online communities for non-traditional learners
  • Using mobile devices in the classroom
  • A range of freely available online tools and resources to enhance your practice

Can’t afford to take time off work?

You can still register for this big conference experience with a low carbon footprint. But don’t delay. The main conference programme commences Tuesday 22 November.

Follow the conference on Twitter @jiscel2011
Contribute your views on Twitter using #jiscel11
Programme and booking at www.jisc.ac.uk/elpconference11

Innovating e-Learning 2011: Learning in transition

Coffee

The sixth JISC online conference takes place this year on 22-25 November 2011, with pre-conference activities running from 15 November.

The conference is relevant to a wide range of delegates from further and higher education. Register now here to explore through live presentations and asynchronous debates some of the latest thinking about the benefits and challenges of enhancing learning and teaching with technology.

The title of the 2011 conference, Learning in transition, reflects the challenges institutions and practitioners are facing in the fast-changing landscape of post-16 education, including preparing students for employment.

Sessions are organised under two themes, each with its own keynote presenter:

  • Learning landscapes explores the potential in technology to forge cross-sector collaboration through which further and higher education institutions, learners and employers can work together to shape a more forward-looking curriculum
  • Navigating pathways opens up some of the challenges involved in learning and teaching in a digital age and discusses potential technology-enhanced solutions

New this year

The conference this year has a distinctly participatory feel with even more live events. You can take part in a number of ways:

Register at www.jisc.ac.uk/elpconference11

  • Contribute to the pre-conference activity week. Innovations this year include a Pecha Kucha session. To take part, email geoffm@directlearn.co.uk
  • Try out new tools and techniques throughout the pre-conference week
  • Share your reflections as the conference unfolds in a designated Thinking Space
  • Participate in live Elluminate® debates
  • Be inspired to contribute to James Clay’s blog, Letters from the Edge
  • Follow the conference on Twitter @ jiscel2011
  • Contribute your views on Twitter using #jiscel11

The fee for Innovating e-Learning 2011 remains unchanged at £50. Don’t wait – book now for the best value-for-money conference of its kind!

Why the coffee picture?

Well as everyone knows the coffee tastes better at an online conference…