How2Unconference (#h2uc)

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Task Navigation 

Learn about the Emerging Unconference Phenomena


Visit historical examples of unconferences to see unconfeencing in action

The Unconference history goes back to 2005, the year the first BarCamp (a typical unconference) was held in Palo Alto. This tasks takes you on a jpurney to read a bit about unconferencing and BarCamps and lets you visit the websites of well known unconferences to learn about this type of event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSImsff7VuI

How would you describe an unconference in an elevator pitch (30 second talk in an elevator)? Post a short 5-10 line elevator pitch below.

Resources:

  • Foo Camp, BarCamp , and Unconference in Wikipedia - read about the beginnings
  • Foo Camp 2007 Website - see how unconference messages and website differs from classical conferences
  • What is an UNconference? and An Unconference on YouTube - see how others explain the concept of an unconference
  • BarCamp SF and What is a BarBamp? on YouTube - get some impressions from real life barcamps in San Fransisco and Orlando (BarCamps are typically around technology topics but there are BibCamps, EduCamps, DigiCamps, TourismCamps, HotelCamps and much more as well)
  • barcamp.org and lanyrd.com - visit an unconference directory to find one close to you (talk with participants you know ore even join an event which would be the best way to learn about)

Task Discussion


  • Karlheinz Pape said:

    From my view a unconference is mainly a self-organized event. A BarCamp for Example will be organized like a classical conference – with the exception of engaging Speakers. The empty Agenda-Frame will be filled out with themes and responsible persons in the first hour in the morning. This is an action of all participants. After “Session Planning” everybody plans his individual Agenda. While BarCamps mostly 4 – 6 Sessions running parallel and each participant choose the most interestingly theme or persons for himself. The best sessions are discussions with all session members.

    After 45 or 60 minutes sessions are over. Participants changing rooms and themes. They change also constantly their role, from instructor to learner to instructor and so on. And this is a very effective way of learning – better than in a passive conference environment.

    on Nov. 16, 2012, 11:10 a.m.