Online Conference

Definition

• a series of online workshops, webinars, and/or online courses organised around a central theme with associated resources.  The goal is to disseminate information, experience, and guidance to delegates about a chosen topic, and to provide a  networking opportunity with like minded practitioners.

Structure

• Plenty of prior notice and time required to orientate before conference begins
• A mixture of timetabled simple synchronous and asynchronous activities.
• An opportunity to network both on and offline (delegate list, cafe area)
• An opportunity to discuss issues privately (breakout rooms)
• Lots of visible support (phone, email, chat, IM/skype, support documents)
• Follow similar rules to online support as Gilly Salmons 5 stage model.

Activities

• synchronous ; chat,  editing a wiki , presentations / whiteboards, webcasts - for keynote or plenary.

• Asynchronous; threaded fora - to keep a record of disucssions, , web quest,- treasure hunt, plenary as a reflective appraisal of the event