People today are learning in new and different ways that are both collective and democratic. So how does this affect the traditional conference or event? Conference organizers should capture and apply new social and informal ways of learning or risk seeing their conference education become obsolete.
Slide 1
Catalyst Conferences: How To Plan & Produce
Next-GenerationConferences & Events
1) Discuss how room environments & traditional setups affect
learning
2) Identify 5 principles for redesigning learning elements
during conferences
3) Explain the impact of traditional hierarchy, of top down,
controlled, presentations
4) Discover new ways to integrate horizontal, collaborative
learning opps
1) Discuss how room environments & traditional setups affect
learning
Traditional Theater & Classroom
LO #1
DecreasesPeer Engagementlooking at back of heads & not
eyes
LO #1
Decreases Attention & LearningThose sitting stage right
& stage left must turn head and body up to 80 degrees to see
presenter
LO #1
Decreases Blood Flow To BrainAny attendee that must turn neck 15
degrees or more to either side
LO #1
Decreases OxygenIf presenter moves around room or down aisles,
turning bodies up to 180 degrees causes lower back & leg pain
and the ability to breath deeply
LO #1
How To Resolve Set to the long wallCurve seating or use Chevron
Face each chair directlySet outside chairs, still in straight rows,
toward presentationProvide multiple screens
LO #1Source: Dr. Paul Radde, Ph.D.Seating Matters
13
People usually forget 90% of what they learn in a class within
30 days. Majority of loss occurs within hours of class.German
psychologist & memory researcher Hermann Ebbinghaus
LO #114
Stimulate More Of The Senses
LO #1
Visuals Trump Other Senses
LO #1
LO #180% of the info the brain receives is visual
Source: Dr. Robert LeamnsonUniversity of Massachusetts at
Dartmouth
LO #1Light & Color affects how the brain learnsSource: Dr.
Robert LeamnsonUniversity of Massachusetts at Dartmouth
LO #1Long Wave Colors (red, orange, yellow) stimulate more
active brain responsesSource: V. Vuontela, 1999
LO #1Short Wave Length (green, blue, violet) more conduciveto
relaxationSource: V. Vuontela, 1999
+Combine Audio With Visual
LO #1
LO #1Source: Edgar Dale, Audio-Visual Methods in Teaching22Odors
Help With Brain Recall
LO #1
When tested on details of movie while smell of popcorn wafts
into air, remember 10%-50% more
LO #1Source: Proust Affect, Chue, S. & Downes, JJ (2002)
LO #1Source: Proust Affect, Chue, S. & Downes, JJ (2002)
Active Learning Increases Memory Retention & Stability
LO #1Source: Edgar Dale, Audio-Visual Methods in TeachingActive
Learning: Discussions help recall
LO #1
LO #4Pair SquaredResearch Into Practice
LO #1
LO #4Turn to your neighbor.Discuss something you just learned
& how youll apply it.
2) Identify 5 principles for redesigning learning elements
during conferences
Sources: Digital Media & Learning funded by John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation from the University of Michigan
& MIT
LO #2#1: Conference sessions must be communal &
democraticParticipatoryInfluence Experience, Planning &
LearningGroups & Shared LearningCrowdsourcing, Openspace
LO #4
LO #3
LO #2#2: Conference sessions must include horizontal
structuresLimit Monologues, One To Many, Vertical Panels better,
still dialogue limitedTrust in collective credibilityPeer2Peer
LearningGap between audience & presenter shrunk
LO #4
LO #3
LO #2#3: Conference sessions must transition from push to
pullOldTrainingRigidProgramMandatedFormal
LO #4NewLearningFlexiblePlatformSelf-ServiceInformal
LO #2#3: The Traditional ConferencePush Method Conference &
Event Organizers decide where bus going, attendees along for
ride.(Good for newbies, bad for veterans)
LO #4
LO #2#3: The New ConferencePull Method Riders choose
destination, speed, route & decide if they want to take detours
or help others. (Best for veterans and experienced
professoinals)
LO #4
LO #2#3: The New ConferencePull Method: Practical StepsProvide
Peer2Peer RoundtableHold breakout discussions following general
sessionsProvide lounge areas for informal learningPromote
OpenSpace
LO #4
LO #3
LO #2#4: Conference Learning Must Be Interactive & Without
WallsListening to lectures worstSecure venues with free
WiFiTradeshows with lounges and recharge stationsEncourage social
media sharing of experiences
LO #4
LO #2#5: Conference must include structured human connectivity,
socialization & networked learning80% of adult learning is
informalFacilitated conversations on conf contentUnusual networking
opps: TweetUps, Tradeshow Scavenger Hunts W/ Mobile Devices, Speed
Networking
LO #4
LO #3
3) Explain the impact of traditional hierarchy, of top down,
controlled, presentations
LO #3
Hierarchy of expertise, top-down controlled, presumed authority
presentations leads to decrease in learning, retention Lack of
participation and activity attendees loose attention
LO #3Embrace Learnscaping For Conferences & Events Remove
barriers to learn & networkSeed communities with content to
discussIncrease the bandwidth of learning oppsBe a conduit for
facilitated conversations
LO #3Plan Structured, Facilitated Opportunities For Peer
Discussion Conversations are the stem cells of learning for they
both create and transmit knowledgeOpen conversations increase
innovation
LO #3
1) Discuss how room environments & traditional setups affect
learning
2) Identify 5 principles for redesigning learning elements
during conferences
3) Explain the impact of traditional hierarchy, of top down,
controlled, presentations
4) Discover new ways to integrate horizontal, collaborative
learning opps
[email protected] jeffhurtblog.com @JeffHurt
Catalyst Conferences: How To Plan & Produce
Next-GenerationConferences & Events
