As I prepare for ILF, I am getting my game face on (positive attitude) and forming my IEP (individual exploration plan).
In order to have a successful experience at any conference, we need to have a positive attitude. I have been super pumped about a session only to realize that it is a sales pitch. I have been in sessions where the description and what was actually presented were not lined up at all. There are also those sessions that you hope to learn something new but find out it is more of an intro level while you are ready for the advanced options. Here's the thing: you can either sit in that session and be annoyed about your time being wasted, or you can take control.
First, there are your two feet. My personal rule before I even heard of edCamps: if a session is not offering what I need to improve myself, my library, etc., then I use my two feet to quietly walk out and find another session that might better suit my needs. It is nothing personal. Precious time and money were sacrificed for this conference, so it is my duty to make sure I get as much as possible from it.
Second, there is that positive attitude I mentioned. Maybe I don't have a back-up plan for another session or cannot make an easy exit. I don't have to sit there and be annoyed. Instead, I can hit the internet, looking up the topic I was wanting to learn about. I've done this before and found that by the end of the session, I may have picked up a few great ideas from the presenter while also a handful of websites, blogs, tweets, and more that put me ahead of where I was when I walked in.
The real key to setting yourself up for a successful conference trip is having a plan in place. This summer at ISTE14, I had the pleasure of hearing Jennie Magiera give an ignite talk. She shared how she creates an IEP, individual exploration plan, to ensure her PD experiences are a success.
I used to attend ILF and similar conferences with basically no plan. I would go to any session that popped out to me. In short, I was ALL OVER THE PLACE. By the end of the conference, I was excited with lots of amazing ideas but no idea where to start. Now I approach my conferences with a plan.
When I attended ICE this past October, I decided MakerSpaces was my first day focus and iPads as learning tools was my second day focus. When there was a breakout period with no session in my particular focus area, I chose to go to the hall where I could connect with others and/or read some of the many websites and articles I had saved up on that particular focus area. In short, it was one of my best conference experiences as I left feeling focused and ready to implement some of my ideas almost immediately!
For ILF this year, I noticed there are several sessions on engaging teen readers. It just so happens that the third focus area for my library this year is exactly that. I am trying to find ways to affect the reading culture, or the lack thereof, at my high school. I have a few things in place but am not satisfied with how things are going. This year when I leave ILF, I will have a new ideas on how to get my students excited about reading!
So....who's with me?!? What's your best conference strategy? Do you have a focus ILF this year? Share in the comments!
So....who's with me?!? What's your best conference strategy? Do you have a focus ILF this year? Share in the comments!
