Hosting the Event [Feb. 23, 2012, 8:13 a.m.]
You can run an event at home, at a restaurant, or in a classroom. All that you need are computers, an internet connection and an idea about what you want to make at your jam.
An optimal venue for a participatory event has:
- A large room where the group can meet as a whole in a circle
- “Break-out” spaces, where smaller sets of participants can have discussions and collaborate.
- Wireless internet, or an ethernet jack where a wireless router can be connected.
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No fixed-in-place furniture; design your space for participation- so that it is easy for participants to collaborative. Having modular, moveable furniture allows participants to face each other and play in the event space.
Other considerations include:
- Cost: If you're lucky, you can find a free or cheap place.
- Food: All that cognitive collaborative making will make people hungry!
- Building Hours: Confirm hours of access, and verify that you can arrive 1 hour before the event start time and stay up to 1 hour after event closing time
- Shared Work Spaces: Ask about any potential conflicts within the space. If other people or organizations will be using space and overhearing proceedings, make sure to explore potential noise and resource conflicts (e.g. limited bathrooms or a slow internet connection for the facility).
Post a photo or a sketch of your event space and comment on at least one peers' post in the Task Discussion below.