Why am I writing this personal entry? Well, it is not an attempt to gain any sympathy. It attempts to show what is possible if a clear intention and goal serve the learner's needs. In May of 2022 just near the end of another fantastic school year, I do not remember what happened. But, I was unable to finish the school year and was unable to teach the following year. Why? On May 21st, 2022, I fell down a flight of 16 stairs (luckily carpeted) from the 2nd to 1st story of our home. I was found at the bottom of the stairs. I was found foaming at the mouth. This would lead to a 2-month hospital stay which included an induced coma because my seizures would not stop, several rounds of lumbar punctures, and relearning basic physical movements like something as simple as being able to roll in the hospital bed. Simply put, when I was admitted to the hospital, I was diagnosed as being “critically ill.” Please take a moment and read those words: critically ill. They are not terms that are
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I will always remember sitting in my first EdCamp opening session in 2013 and having no clue what I was in for. So, I’d like to take this space to go over some of the basic rules of EdCamp.
The Rules of EdCamp truly just suggestions. There are no official rules. No one is going to call you out for not participating or not leaving a session that doesn’t meet your needs. EdCamps are participant driven. The most important driver of your EdCamp experience is you.
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No One Will Pitch It for You
EdCamps are unconferences. By this I mean that they have a blank slate of sessions for the day. There may be a few predetermined sessions, but ultimately the session topics are determined by attendees during the pitch & plan session that opens they day. If an idea gets pitched there will be a session on it. If a topic doesn’t get pitched, there won’t be a session on it. So, it is up to every attendee to be sure and pitch sessions that they are interested in. If there are no sessions that interest you as an attendee, you need to accept some of the blame. So, be brave. Own your learning. Pitch what you want!If You Pitch It, Start It.
Once the pitch & plan session is over, the breakout sessions get underway. It can be a little awkward being in a room with complete strangers. By being together in the same topic room, you’ve all have a common interest. This is where a great session can be born or fall flat or become a waste of time. Someone in the room pitched this session. They should be the one to get it started. If they are an expert on the topic and want to share, it’s a great time to explain a bit about the topic and their perspective or resources. If the session was pitched by someone who was looking to better understand a topic, it’s a great time to frame their situation and ask those in the room for their ideas.Share your Expertise
Many people come to EdCamps looking to learn something new. But if everyone is just looking to sit and listen, will there be anyone to listen to? So while EdCamps are built for learning, they are also built for sharing. Everyone is doing something interesting in their classroom. My first EdCamp, I learned about gamification from Michael Matera. I had no clue what it was but learned from a master. I also learned about Google Tips and Tricks from Google Educators like Jennie Magiera, Chad Kafka, and Tammy Lind. Honestly. I got my first taste of some amazing EdTech gadgets from Tricia Louis. I didn’t have much to share that first EdCamp. But, I was able to speak up about my experience in a few sessions. 7 years later, I feel more than confident proposing sessions as an expert on a topic. Even if you don’t have the experience to pitch a session, don’t be afraid to go to sessions that tie into your practice and share out.Share the floor
There are 2 EdCamp nightmare sessions. One in which no one speaks or attempts to drive a conversation. The other is when one person takes the floor in a discussion and doesn’t allow other points of view to be heard. While it’s great and essential for experts to lead discussions, it can be tough for others to offer their insight when there is no space. So, wherenever facilitating or leading a session, it’s always important to open up the floor for others to offer their experiences or ask questions.Vote with your Feet
This may be the biggest and most famous rule of EdCamps. But, one that doesn’t always get practiced. When attending an EdCamp, you are giving up your personal time. So, it needs to be an experience that meets your needs. If you are sitting in a session and it is not what you expected or wanted, get up and leave. It is the understanding that no one will take offense. Everyone at EdCamp is giving up their personal time to be there. We all know time is valuable. There is always a session next door or down the hall that may meet your needs better than the one you are in. So, don’t hesitate to stand up and find a session that will make the most of your time.Grow your Network
The learning and sharing that happens at an EdCamp wouldn’t be possible without the people who show up. The people who come to EdCamps are a special breed. It is a place where new learning starts. It’s also a place where new professional connections or friendships are born. It’s important that you find yourself open to make these connections. I am incredibly shy, so this was tough for me the first couple of years. But, I think I’m getting better. I push you to talk to people in sessions that you are interested in. Introduce yourself when you speak up in a session. Continue conversations over lunch. Follow the people you meet on social media. Share out on your experience during the day. Ask for resources and share resources. Each session will have a digital session document where users can add their names, contacts, and resources.
If you can make it, we'd love to see you at EdCamp Elmbrook! Click here to register.
What a great post. Thanks for the shout-out! Awesome to know you and to see this going strong!
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