I’m in DC for the ALA annual conference, before I had even arrived in DC proper, I was already learning about interesting stuff going on. This morning I ran into my friend Cindy on the bus and she told me about ALA’s Unconference. I’d never heard about this before, but apparently this was it’s second year. Their wikipedia entry described the event as a “participant-guided experience that harnesses the unstructured conversations people usually have between conference sessions into the conference itself.” The unconference takes place the day before the actual conference takes place and registration is free! (But space is limited.)

Looking at a blog entry about the previous unconference it seems that while registration to this event is free, participation is mandatory. The 2009 session asked that each individual attending the Unconference suggest a presentation they would like to give or a discussion topic they would be willing to facilitate. The organizers then took this information, presented it to all those who registered for the event and then helped set up seven presentation and thirty discussion topics.

This seems like a great way to channel people’s ideas, creativity and enthusiasm for the library field. And hopefully folks will be able to go back home and actually implement some of the ideas discussed at this event. This all sounds very, very interesting! Now I want to find someone who has actually attended one of these to hear more about it.

Estoy en D.C. para la conferencia  anual de la ALA, antes de mi llegada a lo que es propiamente D.C. ya estaba escuchando sobre eventos interesantes. Esta mañana me encontré con mi amiga Cindy en el bus y me contó sobre la “Unconference de ALA” (la no-conferencia de ALA). Yo nunca había oído hablar de esto pero aparentemente este ya es el segundo ano de este evento. Su entrada en Wikipedia describe el evento como una “experiencia guiada por participante que aprovecha las conversaciones no estructuradas que suelen tener lugar entre las sesiones de la misma conferencia” La no-conferencia se lleva a cabo el día antes de la conferencia tiene lugar y el registro es gratis! (Pero el cupo es limitado.)

Mirando una entrada de blog sobre la sesión anterior de la no-conferencia parece ser que aunque la inscripción a este evento es gratuita, la participación es obligatoria. La sesión de 2009 pidió que cada individuo que asistieron a la no-conferencia sugiriese una presentación que les gustaría dar o un tema de discusión que estarían dispuestos a facilitar. Los organizadores entonces tomaron esta información y la presentaron a todos aquellos que se inscribieron para el evento y luego ayudaron a establecer siete presentación y treinta temas de discusión.

Esto parece una excelente manera de canalizar las ideas de la gente, su creatividad y el entusiasmo por el área de la biblioteconomía. Espero que la estos participantes puedan regresar a sus lugares de trabajo yrealmente puedan poner en práctica algunas de las ideas que se discutieron en este evento. Todo esto suena muy, muy interesante! Ahora quiero encontrar a alguien que realmente ha asistido a uno de ellos para oír más sobre él.

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Source: Bilingual Librarian

Advocacy in Education is so important..now more than ever. ISTE10 Denver has many opportunities to involve yourself for advocating for our customers….the KIDS!

Wanna know how?

The following is from Hilary Goldmann, ISTE’s Director of Government Affairs:

“Once again we have a dynamic line-up of advocacy activities at ISTE2010!! Thanks to all of you for your ideas, help, advice, support, guidance etc… Below is the line-up.

• ETAN Booth – Raffle prize is an interactive white board donated by SMART, Technologies. Michelle and Barack Obama will make a cardboard appearance again.

• Send a video letter to Congress – We will have flip cameras at the Advocacy Lounge and a script so attendees can send a video email to Congress.

• YouTube ISTE Advocacy Channel – We now have an ISTE Advocacy YouTube Channel! We will post video letters to Congress here and stream them at the Advocacy Lounge.

• Collecting success stories at the Advocacy Lounge Wiki

• Senators Bennet and Udall staff will visit ISTE 2010 for a tour of CO student showcases, exhibit hall and meeting with CO leaders.

• ABC’s of Advocacy – Sunday, 1-5, Hyatt Regency Centennial Ballroom. Thanks to Intel, Corp. and Apple Inc. for their generous support. We have room if you want to attend.

• Concurrent session, 6/28 11:00 CCC 301 – “The Obama Administration and the Future of Ed Tech”

So while you’re in Denver..stop by and make a difference. YOUR voice needs to be heard and we can only shine a light on our future if we kindle it today! You are that spark!

Source: noreply@blogger.com (gwyneth a. jones)