An opportunity for rich discussions: Collabor8 4 Change

Having recently written about discussions – why to contribute, and what not to do when you do contribute – I thought I’d write a quick update on a real live event taking place on 17th November 2011. This is a bit of an advert, but the event I’m writing about is free and should be good for professional development, so I hope you’ll forgive me.

Called Collabor8 4 Change, the event we’re running is an “unconference” with the following features:

• The theme is on collaborating, for bringing about change. In other words, Collabor8 4 Change does what it says on the tin.
• More specifically, it’s about using ICT in any or if its myriad forms to make pupils’ and teachers’ lives better in some way.
• It’s free. That means, no having to get approval to attend.
• It takes place in the evening. Ditto.
• We’re planning to have an online element, so if you really can’t make it because of distance, hopefully you'’’ still be able to contribute to discussions.
• There will be Teachmeet-style presentations of up to 10 minutes each. If you want to tell folk about a project you’ve been running, or a resource you’ve published, that’s the place to do so.
• There will also be table discussions for up to around 8 participants for 20 minutes. So, if you have idea to would like to share with people to get their opinion, feedback on a new product or service, or find people to collaborate with on a new project, hosting a table session would be a good way to go about it.
• Our Master of Ceremonies for the evening is none other than the inimitable Russell Prue.
• The venue is the wonderful CEME centre, courtesy of our hosts, the London Borough of Havering.

We’ve just released 100 more tickets, but they’re first-come, first-served. If you would like to attend, either as a delegate, table session host, 10 minute speaker or helper on the night – or all four – head over to our Eventbrite page and register. It will only take a few minutes. And if you would like to give a talk or run a table discussion, but are not sure what the topic will be yet (which is the position I’m in at the moment!), sign up anyway and I will contact you nearer the time for further details.

To find out more, including links to feedback from the original Collabor8 4 Change, Linked-in, and Facebook, go to the Eventbrite page, where you will also find a list of the delegates, sponsors, speakers, helpers and discussion hosts who have signed up so far – and the organisers too.

Please tell all your friends and non-friends! Twitter tag is #c84c.