Week Six: Class Reflection

Week Six Reflection and Notes:

EdCamp

What is an EdCamp Activity?

• An EdCamp Activity is a user generated conference (also known as an “unconference”) where users can collaborate and share ideas that they are interested in, as well as share knowledge// teach others. Since 2010, there have been over 700 conferences, around the world, throughout 25 different countries.

The Four Tenets of the EdCamp Model

• Free and Open to all: EdCamps are free of charge and open to educators of all different levels.
• Participant driven: EdCamp allows for educators to collaboratively decide on which topics they are interested in talking about. they decide this on the day of the event.
• Experience, not experts: EdCamp encourages educators to share without any prior planning, meaning that they decide on the topic the day of the event, and discuss freely as they explore the topic.
• Rule of two feet: EdCamp suggests that educators join sessions that interests them and meets their needs as a way to expand and maximize their learning.

Reflection: 

I think that having conferences such as these at EdCamps allows for everyone to have equal access to different topics of inquiry. It is interesting how they have organized it in a way that they decide the topics they day of the conference, allowing no preparation for the subject. This however, places all participants at the same level when they enter their topics of choice. It creates a environment where everyone feels that they can say whatever they have come to mind about such topics and that no one comes into it with the intention of knowing more than anyone else; although it allows for those who do have prior knowledge to engage in educating and teaching others about what they know about the topic. It almost seems that with this particular design that it creates a more welcoming and inclusive environment for the participants. In regards to applying this to the classroom, it would increase confidence of children when they feel that they are all in the same boat when it comes to the topic. Topics can be open in a way that all students may be able to contribute whether it’s an interesting fact, or simply just a question. I think that combining the idea of an EdCamp with the idea of inquiry based learning ties together perfectly and is something that I can take with me as an educator!