Unconferences Carterette Webinars

transcript

Lowdown on Unconferences

Andrew ShupingMay 2011

What is an unconference?

(also known as barcamp, infocamp, librarycamp,

govcamp, open space technology, cupcake camp, foocamp, and more)

"Happy hour with colleagues, sans beer"Amy Buckland

http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/access-aej-spring2010.pdf

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arlophoto/5616233274/

or think of them as coffee breaks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martisunshine/5510755562/

• INFORMAL!!! • Agenda set day of the conference• Everyone participates in an active

discussion• More fluid, more easy to change• Often no keynote speakers• Free or low cost

"What makes an unconference unique is the way it is engineered from the start to enable as much active

participation by all attendees as possible."

http://tinyurl.com/2bq5v6o

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennafreedman/3363355683/in/photostream/

Where did they come from?From the open space technology which Wikipedia defines as:

"an approach for hosting meetings, conferences, corporate-style retreats and community summit events, focused on a specific and important purpose or task—but beginning without any formal agenda, beyond the overall purpose or theme."

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83156837@N00/1756495297/

Some key tenants

• Whoever comes are the right people• Whatever happens is the only thing that

could have• Whenever it starts is the right time• When it’s over, it’s over• Rule of two feet: don't like the topic then walk

Difficulties

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/2788648775/

• Format can create anxiety for some people• Might not look as good on the resume for presenting• Some people just aren't going to be happy

Recent Events• National Library Unconference Day, May 2, 2011

http://blog.8bitlibrary.com/libuncon/ • 2011 THATcamp Southeast March 5, 2011:

http://southeast2011.thatcamp.org/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/revuesorg/4557524230/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Planning your own

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eklektikos/2541408630/

What do you need?

1.A theme/need 2.A venue3.A date4.Sponsor or other funds5.Communication tools/logo/publicity/other 6.People to help

Getting Ready1.Conversation2.People to help with logistics 3.Way to organize:

oemailowikioGoogle Group

4.Be flexible 5.Get the word out

LibraryCamp West

• Keynote Presenter (if you have one)• Supplies • Food• Space• Schwag

Need to have ready • Room with plenty of chairs • Marker pens• Large sheets of paper• Schedule slots ready to be filled in• Whiteboards• Recycling & trash bins• Nametags • Duck tape • Food• WiFi• Enough power sockets• Hashtags

From: http://work.miramarmike.co.nz/2009/10/how-to-facilitate-barcampunconference.html

Tips and tricksDo x, y, and z...no really. Seriously. Z's are really important (as in sleep). • Don't over prepare, difficult for perfectionist but is important• Diversity of roles for planners/facilitators is handy, i.e. someone

to be creative, someone to ask questions, etc. • Library camps/unconferences are casual• Many unconferences are hybrids, and borrow some of the

traditional concepts of a conference (keynotes, registration fees, etc.)

• Utilize social software, like wikis• When planning a date/place/time, remember: Every day is a

bad day for somebody. Think of yourself as the host or hostess for this event.

Remember!

• Whoever comes are the right people• Whatever happens is the only thing that

could have• Whenever it starts is the right time• When it’s over, it’s over• Rule of two feet: don't like the topic then walk

Day of AdviceRemember this is new for a lot of folks let them know what they need to do that day, such as: • Help come up with the schedule• Participation in discussions is encouraged • Help in taking notes

For the organizes remember: • You can't control everything• Things will be stressful in the beginning, but it will happen

Advice for attending• Come prepared to share information, ideas and questions.

Unconferences work best when people are willing to share. • In order to encourage the spirit of sharing, use open-ended

questions.• Give everyone an opportunity to share their ideas.• Keep track of ideas that interest you.• Exchange business cards with those people that you want

to continue talking with after the unconference. • Bring whatever you need for taking notes (e.g., paper, pen,

laptop, PDA, etc.) Selections from: http://cnylibrarycamp.wetpaint.com/page/Advice+for+Participants

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahockley/2481722549/sizes/m/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/4651409376/sizes/m/in/photostream/

When all is said and done...• Step back• Enjoy the results• Take pictures• Take videos• Learn for the next go round

Final Thoughts....

Remember: • rule of two feet• let things happen• Discussion• Informal • Free or low cost

and finally:• This type of event will not work for everything

Selected Resources: Books:

Steve Lawson, tech set forthcoming Michelle BouleOpen Space Technology: A User's Guide

Websites: http://www.openspaceworld.com/users_guide.htmhttp://www.unconference.net/ http://www.openspaceworld.org/http://work.miramarmike.co.nz/2009/10/how-to-facilitate-barcampunconference.html http://chronicle.com/article/The-Unconference-Technology/65651/http://chimprawk.blogspot.com/2006/07/advice-for-planning-bar-camp.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Space_Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconferencehttp://www.slideshare.net/mekiser/library-camp-how-to-run-an-unconference-at-your-library

Examples of Unconferences Master list of Library Camps/Unconferences:

• http://liswiki.org/wiki/Library_Camp Examples:

• http://librariansmatter.com/blog/2008/08/22/library-20-and-beyond-getting-our-hands-dirty-library-unconference/

• http://librarycampperth.wetpaint.com/• http://wiki.oreillynet.com/foocamp06/index.cgi• http://librarycampks.wetpaint.com/• http://thatcamp.org/ • http://denver-stella.pbworks.com/

Questions?

Thank you!I can be found at:

ashuping.net

Link for my presentation will be located on my webpage