The Tech Edvocate

Top Menu

  • Apps
  • Home Page
  • Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
  • Home Page Four
  • Home Page Three
  • Home Page Two
  • Home Tech2
  • Icons [No Sidebar]
  • Left Sidbear Page
  • My Account
  • My Speaking Page
  • Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
  • Newsletter Unsubscription
  • Page Example
  • Protected Content
  • Register
  • Request a Product Review
  • Shop
  • Shortcodes Examples
  • Signup
  • Start Here
    • Governance
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • The Edvocate
  • Topics
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Governance
      • Lynch Education Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
    • Books
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Digital & Mobile Technology
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • The Edvocate Podcast

logo

The Tech Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Governance
      • Lynch Education Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
    • Books
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Digital & Mobile Technology
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • The Edvocate Podcast
  • Yes, You Should Pilot Your Online Course: a Few Things to Consider as You Do

  • 6 Reasons Why eLearning Programs May Fail, Plus Tips to Avoid Failure

  • 5 Easy Mistakes to Make When Collecting Feedback for Your Online Course

  • Classroom in a Pocket? Creating a Mobile eLearning Environment

  • 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Gamification

  • The Difference Between Mobile Learning and eLearning

  • Looks Do Matter: How Visuals Shape eLearning

  • 4 Benefits of Adaptive Learning in Corporate Training

  • When Algorithms Determine Student Placement

  • Algorithmic Processes that Help You Interpret Data Like a Pro

Teachers
Home›Teachers›Why You Should Attend an Unconference

Why You Should Attend an Unconference

By Matthew Lynch
July 3, 2018
0
Spread the love

Conferences provide opportunities to learn, network, and gain tips and inspiration from experts in your field. Sometimes, however, they can be dull and leave you feeling like you’ve wasted your time.

Luckily, there’s a better way: the unconference.

What Is an Unconference?

An unconference is essentially a conference shaped by its participants. There are no prearranged topics, speakers, or panels. There isn’t even a schedule. Instead, attendees decide what questions and topics will be discussed. Leaders facilitate each breakout session, and participants attend any session that piques their interest.

No one presents at these sessions. Instead, the unconference is all about conversation. The idea is that “the sum of the expertise of the people in the audience is greater than the sum of the expertise of the people on stage.”

Law of Two Feet

Unconferences are governed by the “law of two feet,” which states that attendees can get up and move to a different session any time they feel that their needs aren’t being met. This includes feeling bored or uninspired, or realizing that you have nothing to contribute to this particular session.

Participants can also take a break at any time, based on the theory that breaks sometimes lead to moments of great inspiration.

Why You Should Attend

At a conference, you spend most of your time passively listening. On the other hand, an unconference gives you the chance to share your own expertise and engage in conversation with a number of like-minded experts in your field. Here, you move beyond “networking” into “collaborating.”

You don’t have to adhere to a schedule or attend any event that doesn’t interest you. Instead, you can move around freely, exploring the topics and ideas that you find most inspiring. You’re in complete control of your own experience.

Not only is this freedom empowering, but it also ensures you make the best possible use of your time at the event. Each individual has their own needs and preferences, and an unconference allows you to shape the experience as you see fit.

Typically, this high-energy, unstructured set up leads to an increased flow of innovative ideas. As you participate in this unfiltered exchange of ideas, you’ll likely make new connections and find inspiration. Most participants report leaving an unconference with renewed energy and excitement, as well as newfound tips, tricks, and ideas.

Conclusion

Like traditional conferences, unconferences give you a chance to network and learn. Unlike their traditional counterparts, unconferences put you in the driver’s seat.

Attend an unconference to explore your own personal interests, actively collaborate on a variety of topics, and discover inspiration and innovation!


Spread the love
Previous Article

How to Respond When Google Invades Your ...

Next Article

Can Apple Overtake Google in the Education ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • Teachers

    10 Top Incredibly Useful YouTube Channels to Boost Middle School Classroom Lessons

    November 8, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechFeaturedFreshTeachers

    5 Questions Teachers Will Ask About Your Edtech Product

    November 14, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Policy & ReformTeachers

    Why We Need to Get Rid of Anti-Tech Teachers

    March 16, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch
  • EdTech FuturesTeachers

    Life Before Edtech: Access to Tech Devices

    November 26, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Digital Age TeachersEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechTeachers

    7 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Win Over Parents

    August 1, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Assistive TechnologyBest of Best ListsChild Development TechDigital & Mobile TechnologyEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipFeaturedFreshHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechInfluencersParent & Family TechParental InvolvementPolicy & ReformSpecial ReportSponsored PostTeachers

    Let Us Help You Promote Your Education Related Product!

    October 19, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • FeaturedFreshOnline Learning & eLearning

    An Insider’s View into the Edtech Market for Learning Management Systems (LMS)

  • Digital & Mobile Technology

    How digital gives literacy a boost

  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Ed Tech Companies That I Really Love: Part I

Login & Registration

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Yes, You Should Pilot Your Online Course: a Few Things to Consider as You Do

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 13, 2019
  • 6 Reasons Why eLearning Programs May Fail, Plus Tips to Avoid Failure

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 12, 2019
  • 5 Easy Mistakes to Make When Collecting Feedback for Your Online Course

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 11, 2019
  • Classroom in a Pocket? Creating a Mobile eLearning Environment

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 10, 2019
  • 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Gamification

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 9, 2019
  • 20 Top Virtual Reality Apps that are Changing Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 11, 2017
  • Why Mobile Technology Enhances Instruction

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 14, 2016
  • 7 Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2017
  • 7 Roles for Artificial Intelligence in Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 5, 2018
  • What is the Future of Online Learning in Higher Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 2, 2018
  • Australia’s PISA Shock - Quillette
    on
    December 11, 2019

    Finland’s Secret Education Weapon: Phenomenon-Based Learning

    […] form of policy ...
  • Design Thinking Process | Welcome to Kindergarten
    on
    December 11, 2019

    Design Thinking and Innovation in the Early Childhood Classroom

    […] collaboration and critical ...
  • Social Media Archiving in Texas Schools • TechNotes Blog
    on
    December 9, 2019

    How to Use Instagram in the Classroom

    […] that open records ...
  • Literacy App sites – Tech & Literacy
    on
    December 7, 2019

    10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

    […] 10 Apps to ...
  • Eileen Benson
    on
    December 6, 2019

    What the heck is STEM? (And eight other questions you might be too embarrassed to ask.)

    I like how you ...

EdTech Policy & Reform

  • EdTech Policy & Reform

    How Much Bias Is Okay in Your School?

    Spread the loveThe algorithm has proven itself to be a handy tool when it comes to solving education problems. It’s also not without bias.  You may be wondering how some ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    Edtech Should Complement Good Pedagogy, Not Attempt to Replace It

    Spread the loveThe newest generation of edtech is downright amazing; it’s no wonder that various education stakeholders might be a little excited about its potential to transform education. However, edtech ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyEdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    How to Teach Kids to Communicate in This Digital Age

    Spread the loveWhen even the youngest children are spending the equivalent of a full work day looking at screens, it is perhaps no surprise that parents are wondering how to ...
  • EdTech FuturesEdTech Policy & Reform

    3 Reasons Why India Will Be A Leader in the EdTech Industry in the 21st ...

    Spread the loveAccording to a joint report by KPMG and Google, the online education industry is expected to grow at a healthy rate of 8 times to become a $1.96B ...
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    How Does Technology Immersion Shape the Brain?

    Spread the loveDo you wonder what all of the screen time we have is really doing to our brains? As edtech continues to rise in prominence throughout the world, this ...

EdTech Startups & Businesses

  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Your Month to Month Guide for Understanding the School Market

    Spread the loveBusinesses may use a fiscal year, but education revolves around a unique academic calendar. The school year differs significantly from any other industry’s calendar. Not surprisingly, the academic ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Why Learning Analytics Are Critical to Edtech Adoption

    Spread the loveIf you’re not already using learning analytics to assess your edtech product efficacy, now’s the time to get started. Learning analytics are more than simple data. They are ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Where the Money is in Edtech Investing

    Spread the loveThere’s money in edtech, especially if you have a startup. In 2018, edtech investments raised $1.45 billion for technology startups in the United States alone. That was $250 ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    How to Make Your Education Company Recession Proof

    Spread the lovePredicting when the next recession will begin is a lot like predicting the weather. Let’s say that the weather forecaster predicts rain. There’s little doubt that it will ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Lessons about Entrepreneurial Risk in Edtech

    Spread the loveSome edtech entrepreneurs thrive in a fast-paced environment fueled by caffeine and outrageous ideas. Others are more methodical in approaching productions and marketing. The chosen approach comes down ...

Digital Equity

  • Digital Equity

    It Is Time for the Edtech Industry to Stop Denying Its Equity and Race Problem

    Spread the loveThe EdTech industry is dominated by white employees, white leaders, and white entrepreneurs. If you doubt this statement, just attend an Edtech conference. Admittedly, educators and others don’t ...
  • Digital Equity

    How OER Can Help Overcome the Higher Education Equity Barrier

    Spread the loveThe cornerstone of the American dream is the ability to succeed in life regardless of one’s family of origin. And, for most people, that requires a college education. ...

EdTech Futures

  • EdTech Futures

    9 Examples of the Internet of Things in Education

    Spread the loveThe Internet of Things (IoT) has changed everything in almost every sector of industry and community, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the educational sector. From ...
  • EdTech Futures

    7 Ways Holographic Technology Will Make Learning More Fun

    Spread the loveAdvancements in technology brought teachers the interactive whiteboard, 3D printers, and interactive desks and walls. One of the next developments will be holographic telepresence. Holographic telepresence systems are ...
  • EdTech Futures

    Don’t Forget About It: How Spaced Repetition and Microlearning Boost Memory

    Spread the loveResearch on the forgetting curve has revealed some shocking statistics. Within one hour, people will have forgotten an average of 50 % of new information. Within 24 hours, ...
  • EdTech FuturesEdTech Startups & Businesses

    Your Edtech Startup Teacher Is a Feedback Loop

    Spread the loveIf your edtech startup is going to be successful, you’ll have to use  feedback loops. This recursive tool tells you how you’re doing. You already use feedback loops ...
  • EdTech Futures

    Why the Edtech Potential Will Never Reach Its Potential

    Spread the loveThere are more computers available for students in U.S. schools than ever before. More than nine out of 10 schools now use computers and more than 39 million ...

About Us

Since technology is not going anywhere and does more good than harm, adapting is the best course of action. That is where The Tech Edvocate comes in. We plan to cover the PreK-12 and Higher Education EdTech sectors and provide our readers with the latest news and opinion on the subject. From time to time, I will invite other voices to weigh in on important issues in EdTech. We hope to provide a well-rounded, multi-faceted look at the past, present, the future of EdTech in the US and internationally.

We started this journey back in June 2016, and we plan to continue it for many more years to come. I hope that you will join us in this discussion of the past, present and future of EdTech and lend your own insight to the issues that are discussed.

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact Us

The Tech Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
advocatefored@gmail.com

Follow us

Copyright © 2019 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.