Edcamp Blue Devil Nation
The Unconference, Bellwood-Antis Style
Do It Yourself Professional Development
Join colleagues from around Blair County and beyond for Edcamp Blue Devil Nation, a day of innovative professional learning known as an "unconference". Unlike traditional conferences which have schedules set months in advance, Edcamp is comprised of sessions that are determined by participants on the day of the event. Everyone is a learner and a leader, and anyone can be a presenter or facilitator (or not). Participants are encouraged to join and lead sessions that meet their unique needs as educators.
Built on principles of connected and participatory learning, Edcamp strives to bring teachers together to talk about the things that matter most to them: Interests, passions, and questions.
Edcamp Blue Devil Nation is a free event that will be hosted by the Bellwood-Antis School District.
Get Your Edcamp On!
Thursday, Aug 10, 2017, 08:00 AM
Myers Elementary School, 220 Martin Street Bellwood, PA 16617
Three Reasons to Attend Edcamp
Vote with Your Feet
Get Connected
Make It Real
Still not sure about this concept?
Agenda
8:30-9:00 a.m...............Edcamp Kickoff
9:00-9:30 a.m...............Session Building
9:40-10:30 a.m.............Session I
10:40-11:30 a.m...........Session II
11:30-1:00 p.m.............Lunch (See details below.)
1:00-1:50 p.m...............Session III
2:00-2:50 p.m...............Session IV
3:00-3:30 p.m...............Edcamp Smackdown: Resource Sharing, Aha Moments, Reflections & Prizes
3:30-?............................Wrap-up Party: Join us at Marzoni's in Greenwood for Edcamp BDN Happy Hour
Continue to network with colleagues over the lunch break while listening to the tunes of DJ Kermit Foor and enjoying a meal from Schraff's Mobile Kitchen. Yes, a food truck will be on site! Check out their menu here. Otherwise, lunch is on your own.
Connect Online!
Follow us on Twitter at #edcampBDN17 in order to get the most up-to-date information about Edcamp Blue Devil Nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of the event?
Edcamps are unconferences. Yep, that’s right, Edcamps are not conferences! Organizers set the schedule for the day, but all sessions are determined by participants on the day of the event. Everyone is welcome to propose and lead a session where conversation and collaboration are paramount. The day is completely participant-driven.
Do I have to present?
No, you do not need to present when you attend an Edcamp. However, anyone with a good idea is encouraged to lead a conversation. Edcamp is all about learning and sharing. You are welcome to propose a session where you are the expert or to propose a session where you are the one with questions or concerns. Sometimes the best learning stems from informal conversation.
In short, you can choose to be a camp counselor or just a camper. The decision is all yours!
What sessions will be available?
We don’t know yet! Edcamp is completely based around the interests, passions and questions that we all bring with us the morning of the event! During the first hour or so, we’ll collaboratively build the schedule to fit our needs. If you want to facilitate a session, you just go up to the board, slap a sticky note with a catchy title on it, and then get out of the way so other people can add theirs. It sounds crazy if you’ve never been to an Edcamp before, but we swear that it works every single time.
What should I do if I go to a session and it doesn't work for me?
Hey, it happens to all of us sooner or later. Maybe you realize the conversation isn’t going in a useful direction for you. Maybe you misunderstood what the session would be about by the title. Maybe it’s not your kind of thing. Maybe you get really engrossed into a side conversation with somebody and decide to take it out into the hallway. Maybe there’s another session at the same time you also want to check out! Or, unfortunately, maybe somebody’s lecturing or running a session that feels like a sales pitch instead of a discussion.
If, for any reason, you decide you’d rather be elsewhere, just leave the room or in Edcamp lingo: Vote with your feet! It’s totally cool. It’s not rude to leave the room during an Edcamp. It’s just you recognizing that, in that moment, you feel your learning would be maximized by going somewhere else. You are not insulting the facilitator, who should expect that some people will move in and out of the room during the session time.
A good rule to follow: If it doesn’t move you, get moving!
Do I have to be a techie to attend?
Absolutely not! Edcamps are for everyone that wants to learn and share. Typically, most educators at Edcamps utilize some type of device to view the session board, take collaborative notes, tweet about the experience and on occasion, share via live video. However, this is not a requirement; just a reflection of the times.
What should I bring to the event?
Our location will have wireless access so feel free to bring your favorite device. Or paper and pencil will work just fine too! Other than that, show up with an excitement for learning, an open mind, a smile, and/or anything else you might need to make your day meaningful! Oh, and you can bring a friend (or two) as well!
What should I wear to the event?
Dress is totally casual! It's still summer so wear your favorite flip flops!
What will we have to eat and drink?
A continental breakfast consisting of pastries, fruit and juice will be provided and coffee and bottled water will be available throughout the day.
Lunch is on your own. However, participants have the option to pre-order a lunch being catered by DelGrosso's Park. (See link above.)
After the day is over, please join us for Happy Hour at Marzoni's in Greenwood.
Smackdown... What is a smackdown?
It's a fast-paced opportunity for sharing. Participants volunteer to discuss a tech tool, teaching tip, book recommendation, or anything else they'd like to share with the group about dynamic teaching and learning. Each volunteer comes to the front of the room, gives a quick 1-2 minute pitch, shares any pertinent information (URL's, titles, etc), and then this info is added to a shared document that can be referenced at a later date. All participants leave with a ton of tools, tricks and great tips!
How can I be part of the action?
As you complete the registration form, you can offer to volunteer the day of the event. It's a great way to meet new people!
Can I earn Act 48 hours for attending Edcamp?
Yes, more info will be forthcoming!
I'm a pre-service teacher. Can I attend Edcamp?
You bet! If you're willing to spend the day learning with us, we'd love to have you!
That was a lot of alot of info! Can you remind me what I should bring to the event?
Sure! Here's a list of items you need so you're ready to roll:
- Great ideas for sessions
- An open mind for learning
- Laptop/iPad/personal learning device of choice
- Something to drink if you're not into water or coffee
Will I learn something and have fun?
We'd be willing to bet our school district's bank account on it!
Still Got Questions? Just Ask Us!
Jamie Forshey
Bellwood-Antis School District
Instructional Technology Coach
Email: jlf@bellwood-antis.org
Website: http://edutech4teachers.edublogs.org/
Location: Bellwood-Antis School District, Martin Street, Bellwood, PA, United States
Phone: 814.742.2273
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Edutech-for-Teachers-227121857378813/
Twitter: @edutech20
Dr. Terri Harpster
Myers Elementary Principal
Email: tlh@blwd.k12.pa.us
Website: http://myerselementaryblog.edublogs.org
Location: Bellwood-Antis School District, Martin Street, Bellwood, PA, United States
Phone: 814.742.2272
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyersElemSchool
Twitter: @MyersElemSchool