New Ways to Learn at the 2014 Annual Conference

Learning Forward has expanded its conference content and design to engage participants and allow them to personalize their learning. Along with traditional offerings such as keynotes and preconference sessions, Learning Forward’s 2014 Annual Conference features additions to the learning menu that reflect the latest professional learning trends.

Extended learning. Concurrent sessions will begin several months before the onsite conference and extend well after the conference is over. About 60 sessions will include virtual online communities where attendees can engage with fellow session participants, chat with the session presenter, access session materials, and begin work on session content before they meet face-to-face at the conference.

Experiential learning. Participants also can learn experientially in the Learning Hangout and iPD Showcases, interactive playgrounds for experimenting with and manipulating a variety of learning technologies. Here, attendees can find solutions to challenges facing their organizations, schools, or classrooms in engaging demonstrations. The 25-minute hands-on sessions are designed for participants to discover free or low-cost tools. All that is needed for success is an open mind, a mobile device, and a desire to learn some new tricks.

Fast-paced learning. At Fast Forward sessions, attendees will hear fast-paced, concise presentations, also variously known as PechaKucha, Ignite, or Bytes. Each presentation is seven minutes long with 15 to 18 slides and designed to challenge learners to think fast and absorb quickly.

Custom learning. Participants can stop in for some or all of the presentations presented continuously in the Learning Hangout space outside the Exhibit Hall. Conversely, for those who want concentrated doses of learning on a single topic but from the perspective of different experts, the Leadership Forum or the Common Core Forum are good options. Each forum will feature 10 to 15 speakers on each of the two topics, and attendees can make the circuit to each table to hear each speaker’s take on the subject.

Informal learning. Another new conference feature is an example of informal learning and part of the networking meet-up series designed for attendees to gather casually either with colleagues who perform similar jobs or with those who share an interest in an education hot topic. Nationally known facilitators will lead the groups, but the real learning will come when participants bring their knowledge, spontaneity, and interests to the sessions.

For more information, visit www.learningforward.org/learning-opportunities/annual-conference.