Unconference Friday 9 - 10.30

Your feedback from previous conferences has shown that opportunities to network and share ideas is an important feature of this conference. With numbers growing and diversity of need we have this year decided to hold an "unconference session" so that you all get to have the types of discussions that interest you. To this end, we have provided the structure, the space and the booking system for you to connect with others. We have also recognised the need for freedom to operate in a variety of ways that will personalise your learning. With this freedom comes personal responsibility to make the things happen the way you want. To find out more about unconferences search Google or check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconference

So what do you need to do now?

As soon as possible but before Lunchtime Thursday of conference check out the categories below and choose one that sounds interesting to you. If you can't find one there add something into the "Other" category. This is intended to be a space for anything and everything legal and relevant to the conference that doesn't already have a category spot. Then pick a path to follow.

Categories

Leadership - skills to collaborate, facilitate and encourage teachers.
Managing Change - theory, practice, helpful hints.
Effective Clusters - what makes a cluster work well and achieve, how to overcome the barriers, gathering evidence of change, writing milestones - anything to do with the cluster goals and processes.
Technology - software, hardware, infrastructure, web 2.0 etc.
School Curriculum Design - from NZC to your school curriculum.
Inquiry approach to learning - unpack what this means and what it can look like when powerfully constructed.
Strategic Planning - aligning all the components - infrastructure, professional learning, curriculum.
Literacy - how ICT products and processes can make a difference.
Numeracy - how ICT products and processes can make a difference.
Secondary Faculties - Set up a session to share ideas for your faculty area e.g. social sciences, maths.
Other - anything you want to discuss or present that doesn't fit a category above.
Cluster Debrief - a chance to get together with your cluster before you return to school and process the knowledge gained and plan for how to share this back in schools.  Don't pick a path - just follow this link to the page for noting or booking a venue.

Now Pick a Path

Initiate a Topic		Join a Topic
You don't have to be the knowledge holder - it is questions that make for good discussion. You set up an opportunity for those with a common interest to come and chew the fat and share ideas. You may want to share a good idea that you have tried as the starter for others to come along and do the same. Anything goes with an unconference session and you get most when you give most. Be brave and get something started.		Joining a topic means you plan to participate and have definite things that you want to draw out of the session. Passive participation is OK but you don't gain as much. Everyone has good ideas and everyone has questions to ask. No question is silly so make sure your needs get met in the session. All participants are responsible for the value of a session - not the initiator alone.
1	Follow the green or brown link out to the wiki prepared for this conference and check out what topics are already available in various locations. If your topic has been initiated you may be better to join unless numbers are already too high.	1	Select a topic that has been initiated that interests you.
2	Choose a work space that would suit your purpose from the wiki navigation.	2	Click in the Name box after the last entry, press Enter/Return to move down a line, add your name.
3	Complete one of the set up formats and outline what you are hoping to achieve in the session. "My venue" is for those who want to organise their own venue.	3	In the next box write what you can contribute or what you hope to gain from the session - be brief!
4	Check back during the conference to see how your initiated session is shaping up - who is coming and what they hope to contribute and gain. Do some lobbying of people at the conference if you don't seem to be getting any attendees - someone's probably just waiting to be asked. Put a notice up somewhere to invite people along.	4	Check back during the conference to see how your selected session is shaping up - who else is coming and what they hope to contribute and gain. Do some lobbying of people at the conference if there don't seem to be many attendees - someone's probably just waiting to be asked. Put a notice up somewhere to invite people along - even if you're not the initiator.
5	On Thursday afternoon/evening we will assign you a venue for your session so be sure to check back before the session starts on Friday to see where to go.	5	On Thursday afternoon/evening we will assign a venue for the session so be sure to check back before the session starts on Friday to see where to go.
On Friday morning go directly to your selected session at the venue allocated. Make the most of the opportunity. Blog about the things you get out of it. Give us your feedback for future planning in the conference evaluation. Be back at the Energy Events Centre at 10.30ish for morning tea.

Got any queries or concerns - come and see one of us at the registration desk or contact Jill Hammonds Ph/txt 021 344253