tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post7133865005897982008..comments2024-03-29T00:45:37.176-07:00Comments on eLearning Technology: Online Conferences and In-Person ConferencesTony Karrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408035995182843336noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-45803400820271279262008-10-29T09:29:00.000-07:002008-10-29T09:29:00.000-07:00Tony, it's probably more a me thing, but it's so e...Tony, it's probably more a me thing, but it's so easy to get distracted during an online conference: incoming email, phone call, etc, that I have trouble focusing for long enough. I like being 'immersed' in the F2F conference.Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07822235162664957878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-90506749967949763642008-10-29T07:10:00.000-07:002008-10-29T07:10:00.000-07:00Tony,We actually manage and stream conferences tha...Tony,<BR/>We actually manage and stream conferences that target SMEs across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. These have really taken off as attendees don't have to brave the reasonably poor travel infrastructure found in this region to hear the insights of world-class speakers. The feedback we receive from returning attendees highlights this, but they're also attracted by the quality of the image/streaming too, which I guess is an important point. I know I'm less willing to chose online over F2F if asked to 'put-up' with poor images/sound & syncing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-57633521324676245672008-10-28T14:51:00.000-07:002008-10-28T14:51:00.000-07:00This is something we're actually looking at over a...This is something we're actually looking at over at eduFire. We've been testing online conferencing (err...I suppose it would be online classes) where we have one teacher and a bunch of students. Although it's a class, the atmosphere is so much different, it's a lot more "webby" and feels more casual. The people there are people who want to learn, and live video classes are a lot of fun. I wonder how the culture is different in an online conference. The ability for all attendees to chat really changes things a lot, I think.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02544917791220934416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-21694268848373842632008-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:002008-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:00David - I agree that having a list of online confe...David - I agree that having a list of online conferences / events for learning professionals - or any professional would be great to have. I've seen a really big list of worldwide education conferences before - but mostly F2F. It's a fair bit of work to manage this and stop it from getting spam - what's considered a valuable online session to some is considered spam to others.<BR/><BR/>That said, there would seem to be a nice opportunity here.<BR/><BR/>Jason - thanks for the contribution. I'd comment, but I completely agree and that's boring.Tony Karrerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15408035995182843336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-1017030352926694212008-10-28T10:34:00.000-07:002008-10-28T10:34:00.000-07:00Tony,I believe online conferences and FTF conferen...Tony,<BR/><BR/>I believe online conferences and FTF conferences are complementary. For me (an independent with an erratic schedule), the asynchronicity of the online environment makes up for the lack of FTF. There may be no substitute for FTF, but does it really matter? Interested parties could certainly work in targeted FTF on the local level. <BR/><BR/>I think online attendees will develop greater automaticity with online conferences as they get more used to the environment, and as the tools (Ning, etc.) evolve into greater usability. <BR/><BR/>Either way, I see standards for online workshops and conferences as something to embrace. My hope is that more people take up the challenge to be creators instead of joiners.Jason Willenskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00081845216021390555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-42689927155588006632008-10-28T08:27:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:27:00.000-07:00Tony, I agree with your assessment of online and i...Tony, I agree with your assessment of online and in-person conferences. Economic downturn aside, I will be attending more online conferences and fewer in-person conferences, because of the dramatic savings in both time and money. Perhaps most important to me is the option to participate on my own schedule. I can work on a Ning collaboration, for example, at 2:00 AM rather than 2:00 PM if I so choose.<BR/><BR/>Are you aware of any services that aggregate a list of upcoming online conferences / events for learning professionals (to make it easier for us to find and join them)?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com