You'll be pleased to know that when the registration site goes live on 28th March we have a little surprise that might help with the technology usage issues.
Sounds intriguing, not too long to wait now.
I'm interested in your points about the extended networking/discussion sessions. I'm hoping that nobody would fault the Handheld Learning Conferences for their attention to providing time and space for networking and discussion during the lengthy coffee and lunch sessions as well as the social reception. For the past 2 years we've also provided large delegate lounge spaces for precisely the purpose of continuing discussions should delegates feel the need. Perhaps again, delegates have not used these spaces in the way we'd intended preferring to pace themselves to "traditional" format.
My view is that think of ALL that discussion and stuff which was happening and it was extremely valuable I am guessing to the people that were talking and sharing.
For me the unconference does a few things, it extends this time for discussion and demonstration, but also provides a space for that demonstration (ie don't just talk, show as well); it also allows for the less extrovert to view (and possibly join in) the discussions; you could also capture some of this discussion and demonstrations as well.
Of course in the format you used in HHL 07 in providing the lounge spaces, it should also be possible to capture the discussion and provide the necessary resources for people to show and tell.
As you might imagine, renting rooms for random breakouts would be somewhat challenging on the budget, we could also run into the question over who's idea is most worth discussing, etc. So I'm interested to more about how you would see this working out at our next venue where we have a main hall (1000 capacity theatre style) and three breakout spaces (100+ capacity).
I believe that the concept of an unconference is nice and simple and I also believe that the execution of such an event is fraught with difficulties and challenges.
If I was running such a breakout session, I would use a cabaret table layout, label the tables with themes identified in advance and include an "anything" table as well for those that wanted to discuss/show things outside the labeled tables.
If this was a 90 minute session I would either allow people to move around or have a "runaround" time after 30 minutes to allow delegates to move tables.
It would certainly help to have facilitators at tables, but if delegates knew such a session was running they would probably come more prepared than having it thrown on them at the last minute.
I would also try and capture "stuff" from the tables either via a blog or audio or video recording, but this would just be icing.
We've always had a lot going on at the HHL conferences so I'm disappointed that you've found them prescriptive
My comments were not aimed specifically at HHL, but much more at e-learning/ILT conferences in general, as stated by Spike Town in the original thread.
Alas I couldn't go to HHL 07 (leg operation), but it is my intention to go to HHL 08. So my comments are much more aimed at conferences in general and feedback I received from others about HHL 07, hearsay evidence I know...
Good and original ideas are sure to be well received by the advisory group but I'm sure you'll understand that it's difficult to make a decision based a proposal that relies on somebody having a great idea on the day. We will however be inviting everybody to bring a short presentation on a USB drive and there will be a room set aside where potential speakers will be picked at random in a kind of speakers bingo.
My thinking was less about presenting, much more a show and tell. In other words don't bring a presentation, bring what you do, bring a "handheld" device with stuff your learners use, bring up a website which demonstrates how your learners are using mobile learning, etc... Of course this could be a presentation as well.
This was a mantra during the creation of HHL 07 but I guess we didn't entirely meet your expectations (there's always room for improvement!). So let me spin this around if I may James, at the end of Handheld Learning 2008 what do you want to be able to...
I always get something out of every conference I have been to, usually an idea, or a concept or something I can take back to my college to improve the learning experience of my learners.
I want to get the same out of HHL 08, evidence, ideas , stuff to take back.
I also want to share what I have been doing to gauge others' views and opinions to see if they could benefit or if they have ideas which can improve on what I am doing (or what my college is doing).
I could run a session to do that, but what if I am only just starting out, would that be an abstract/topic that would pass muster with a conference committee, maybe, maybe not. An opportuntity to discuss with others either in a similar position or more experienced would be great. Can happen informally over coffee, could also happen in an unconference type session.
Cheers
James
FORUM
Community 
Show Posts
