I think EdCamp is the coolest idea ever and this concept of conference needs to be used EVERYWHERE for teachers and students alike (and I really want to go to one). Being able to get ideas written out makes the thinking process far more efficient and effective. Now multiply that by the dozens and you have an incredible collaborative joint thinking, learning, and teaching process happening between educators. The conference starts with people expressing interests they want to learn more about, teach about, or are just interested in by writing them on the board. The moderator then goes around and finds which ones are alike and groups the topics. These groups are then turned into sessions where people can choose which to attend based on interest, which is already high because they have already expressed their own interests, and know there will be a topic to match.
Not only do I want to go to one of these conferences, but after talking with my pod-mates I want to use this in my classroom as soon as possible. I feel like this concept fits with the BC curriculum and embodies the First Peoples Principles and UDL Guidelines already, self-directed learning, having agency over learning, supporting the community, experiential learning focused on connectedness, etc. It fits so well with what we are already supposed to teach and how we are supposed to teach, I think it would increase engagement and involvement for students to such an extreme level that the learning outcomes would be through the roof.
Here is a promo video for edcamp that explains the process and some reflections on it that I want everyone to watch so our ProD days moving forward can maybe resemble these in some way.
