In honor of the upcoming Twitter for Good Unconference, I have a new podcast up (it’s more of an audio manifesto, really), where I explain why (almost) every conference should be an “unconference”.
I’ll tell you what an unconference is, then talk about how unconferences can solve the major problem in our current conference system today.
I’ll tell you what an unconference is, then talk about how unconferences can solve the major problem in our current conference system today.
Claire,
Couple of thoughts about your podcast. I enjoyed your perspective on conferences/unconferences. And I have experienced much of what you talked about. I attend a lot distance education conferences mostly as a presenter and also as a participant. And I am a member of an organization that is trying to use the concepts of unconferences in our conference in the form of participant-led discussions. I do not go to conferences for content. Access to content is available in a more direct and a more focused way through technology. Going to a conference for content is like going to a supermarket for a real good sandwich. You might find one, but if you went directly to a deli your changes would be much greater. From my perspective its about networking and fun. Its about telling and listening to stories of friends (and soon to be friends) who share your same passion. Yes, this can be done with the use of technology, but the F2F connection is human. I’ve never met anyone solely online that has anywhere near the closeness of someone I’ve met F2F. The main problem with conferences, via the web, is that it shares some of the same time sucking as a conference in the sense that if it is about content absorption, I can easily find that more efficiently. But I do agree with your point on the amount of time spent on a conference. The challenge to me is to make that time more valuable for the attendees. This is my R & E for PRESENT today.