EdCamp

An edcamp is a user-generated conference - commonly referred to as an "unconference". Edcamps are designed to provide participant-driven professional development for K-12 educators.[1] Edcamps are modeled after BarCamps, free participant-driven conferences with a primary focus on technology and computers. Educational technology is a common topic area for edcamps, as are pedagogy, practical examples in instructional use of modern tools, and solving the problems technology can introduce into the classroom environment.

Edcamps are generally free or very low-cost, built around ad hoc community participation. Sessions are not planned until the day of the event, when participants can volunteer to facilitate a conversation on a topic of their choice.[2] Edcamps operate "without keynote speakers or vendor booths, encourage participants to find or lead a conversation that meet their needs and interests."[3]

The first edcamp was held in May 2010 in Philadelphia.[4] Since that time, there have been over 200 edcamp events held throughout the world. The Edcamp Foundation was formed in December 2011 to help teachers and other stakeholders who organize edcamps. The vision of the Edcamp Foundation is to "promote organic, participant-driven professional development for K-12 educators worldwide."

The first edcamps that were held in languages other than English were edcamp Stockholm on October 31, 2011 (in Swedish) and edcamp Montreal on November 1, 2011 (in French).

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Vision and mission". The edcamp foundation. Retrieved 9 August 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ↑ "Introduction to Edcamp: A New Conference Model Built on Collaboration". Edutopia. September 29, 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "Ethel Walker To Host 'EdCamp' Conference Friday". Hartford Courant. August 7, 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "Edcamp Philly Page".