What is EdCamp?

Last April I created a twitter account and began growing my professional learning network.  As a newly connected educator, I noticed a substantial amount of tweets on the topic of EdCamp.  My curiosity peaked over time as people from all over the nation tweeted and blogged about this innovative conference style.  On October 1, 2016, I attended the third annual EdCamp Long Island. 

For those that are unfamiliar, EdCamp is a participant-driven professional development model.  I’ve also heard EdCamps referred to as “unconferences”.  Unlike formal conferences where all speakers and workshop session presenters are selected months in advance, EdCamp presenters are unknown to the participants until the day of the conference.  Upon arriving at an EdCamp, participants are given a physical (left) program containing a QR code.  This code links to a Google Sheet where conference sessions are compiled live as presenters arrive.  There is something alluring about “not knowing” what you're going to learn about or discuss beforehand.  For passionate educators, this ignites that same feeling you get when unwrapping a birthday present.  You can feel the positive energy in the building as soon as you walk in.

If my EdCamp experience was any indicator of the range of session topics EdCamps generally offer, I can safely type that there is a something for everyone.  I attended four sessions on the topics of Aspiring Administrators, Women in Leadership, Collaborative Gaming and Creating a Reading Culture.  During these sessions the presenters acted more like moderators than typical clinicians.  In order to effectively run an EdCamp session presenters will ask thought provoking questions of their participants and let the magic happen.  These questions lead to spontaneous discussion amongst professionals.  The presenters talk less and facilitate more.   

There are direct correlations between EdCamp sessions and twitter chats.  For anyone well versed in twitter chats, EdCamp sessions are essentially face-to-face twitter chats.  In both instances you are gathered in a room (albeit online or in person) with like-minded professionals discussing topics that resonate with you.  These discussions lead to networking opportunities and create connections.  EdCamp granted me the opportunity to convert some of my online connections to real life relationships.  It was great to meet some of the brilliant educators I’ve interacted with previously online.  

All in all, I recommend attending a nearby EdCamp to anyone looking to enrich his or her knowledge of education as a whole.  EdCamps are usually FREE of charge and you can log the hours as professional development.  If that is not enticing to you, you may be in the wrong profession. 

What is your favorite aspect of the EdCamp model?