Networks, Communities & Learning: Show that you Share!

Organised by the Bazaar project and IVLOS, the Institute of Education of Utrecht University

Download the conference flyer here 
Visit the wiki for more information about travel and accommodation

14 December 2007, Utrecht, the Netherlands
9:30 - 16:00, Boothzaal, Utrecht University Library on the University Campus de Uithof, Heidelberglaan 3

Conference Objectives

• To provide a space for participant-driven discussion and debate
• To promote critical enquiry and discourse
• To allow for the presentation of ideas in progress
• To provide access to peer expertise and opinion

Main Themes

These five main themes are based on key and emergent issues identified by Bazaar

• Hey Dude, Where's my Data? On data security, privacy and sustainability
• Social Software, Tools and Content Creation
• OERs and the Culture of Sharing
• Interoperability and Metadata and OERs
• PLEs, ePortfolio’s and Informal Learning

Workshops and Round Tables

Social networking services & social search – led by Josie Fraser, EdTechUK, UK
THINKing and UNDERSTANDing the internet – led by Helen Keegan, Salford University, UK
Building an infrastructure for lifelong competence development – led by Wolgang Greller, Open University, NL
Developing Open Educational Resources – led by Marco Kalz, Open University, NL
The use of wikis and open architecture spaces to promote a culture of sharing – led by Steve Wheeler, University of Plymouth, UK
Creating and sharing Open Educational resources – led by Veronika Hornung, Salzburg Research, AT
Personal Learning Environments – led by Graham Attwell, Pontydysgu, UK
How can we use IMS Learning Design? – led by Raymond Elferink, RayCom BV, NL
The future of Learning Management Systems – led by Geoge Bekiaridis, Ergon KEK, GR

Conference format

The major aim of the conference is to promote dialogue and exchange between 'experts', researchers, developers, practitioners and learners. We are particularly keen that learners and junior researchers are given an opportunity to discuss and exchange their ideas. We aim that the content of the sessions is driven and created by the participants rather than the traditional 'presentation and five minutes questions' format with content determined in advance by a single organiser, or a small group of organisers.

How will the format work?

The conference will start with a short scoping session. The main space will be for participants.
How the conference works is up to you!
To make the most out of the space available for the conference, the room will be divided into the following six areas, that can be dynamically allocated to one of the conference themes and to one of the following approaches:

1. Round table area (1) - for open discussion, meetings, project presentations, requests for comments and so on. This area is a useful space for those in the community that are already progressing with ideas and projects and research to spend face-2-face time discussing and formulating ways forward. This is your space. Feel free to use it as you wish.
2. Discourse space (2-5) - we outline here four different kinds of activities that you might like to try:
   1. The Ten Minute Slot -Ten minute presentations of work and ideas in progress, to be followed by ten minute discussion.
   2. Critical Enquiry - Present an idea for a project, a software tool etc. and be prepared for a critique from our expert panel (made up of other participants).
   3. Ask an Expert - Request that someone else introduces on a topic you wish to learn something about.
   4. Discussion Circle - Introduce a discussion in a maximum of three minutes, each participant gets two minutes to contribute.
      
      ... anything else you would like to do
3. Poster time (6) - one area will be available for posters with another ten minute slot for you to explain your poster.

We will leave free spaces for ideas to be presented. If you have ideas already, it would be great if you could send us a short note suggesting the thing you would like to do or present at the conference. We will then add it to the conference web space to be launched shortly as part of the main Bazaar website www.bazaar.org.

The conference is free. Coffee and lunch will be provided for all participants. If you are interested in attending, please register in advance by sending an e-mail to Raymond Elferink - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

When registering, please provide us with the following information:

Name:
Organisation:
E-mail:
Website:

- I would like to run a Round Table / Ten Minute Slot / Critical Enquiry session
- I would like to present an idea in a Discussion Circle / Poster Session
- I would like to present a question to an Expert
- I would like to lurk at the conference and might decide to participate there and then

My topic will be: