Ways to participate in eFest 2008

• Presentations
• Tutorials/Workshops
• Conversations
• Poster displays - Contact Amy Fitzgerald direct

Conference themes

The theme of eFest 2008 is ‘Connected Learning', and this theme has been broken down in to four sub themes. 

1. Connected Learners: Web 2.0 and collaboration tools, Learning management systems vs Personal Learning Environments, ePortfolios, tools and approaches/techniques for connecting learners
2. Connected Educators: Wiki educator and other collaborative development projects, sharing good practice, eLearning guidelines, professional development networks for educators, the future of Intellectual Property rights in education.
3. Connected Organisations: networking and collaboration between education institutes, optimising organisation performance, technical standards, cross-sector/industry partnerships
4. Connected Content: Open Educational Resources, sharing content vs collaborative development, learner generated content/work, if content is free what is the role of the educator/institute?

The themes are discussed in more detail here.

General Information

Audio/visual equipment

Each room will have an internet connection, a data show projector, projection screen and a whiteboard. It is preferred that speakers submit any presentations in advance so that they can be downloaded onto the house laptops provided in each room.  Presenters can choose to use their own laptops; however, the organisers will not take responsibility for any failures that may arise. 

Conversations sessions may be hosted in informal meeting spaces rather than meeting rooms.  Equipment requests will be met wherever possible.

Room Set up
To try to encourage interaction we intend to set up the rooms so that attendees can work in small groups wherever possible. If you have any specific room requirements please clearly indicate them and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Selection Process and Timescales

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

The submissions will be reviewed by a panel. This panel will only have access to the description and detail of the submission and not the detail of who has submitted it.

We aim to inform everyone who submitted a proposal by 15 August of the outcome.

Criteria for selection are:

• Fit with conference themes
• Likely practical application across the sector
• Topicality of subject presented.
• Demonstration of plans for audience participation

To enable a smooth selection process, participants are requested to provide full and clear information within their forms, as the panel will make decisions on the information provided only.  No other correspondence will be entered into.

Thank you for your interest in delivering a presentation at eFest.

It is intended that presentation sessions will be scheduled for duration of 40 or 55 minutes.

We strongly encourage presenters to build in audience participation through discussion or questions.  Preference will be given to submissions that clearly demonstrate plans for audience participation.

Workshop sessions should typically contain activities for visitors to engage with, and the opportunity to learn about, new ideas or concepts. The session should, above all, be practical and participative.

It is intended that these sessions will be scheduled for duration of 55, 85 or 115 minutes.

It is intended that sessions will be scheduled for duration of 25, 40 or 55 minutes.

Conversation sessions should be based around a question. The question should be related to something practical rather than theoretical. Please avoid highly technical topics that would limit discussion for general attendees.

Facilitators for these sessions are not presenting they are there to stimulate discussion.  The majority of the session time should be dedicated to the participants discussing your prepared questions.  It may be appropriate to provide a 5 minute context for your question.