Overview
Wise 2015 is a big conference on education. If you are interested in any field/aspect of education like:
innovative education tools
teacher training
curriculm development
assessment
prepartion for employement
teacher-student relation
You should try and attend.
The program is structured like usual conferences; there are plenary sessions in the huge theatre followed/preceded by other meetups/sessions/workshops from which you can choose according to your interests. My advice would be choosing well in advance of attending because the number of attendees is always limited. However, I noticed that people don't really abide by their choices and you will often times find sessions that are really crowded and others that are really empty. Also, I would also recommend not only attending sessions about things you know you are interested in but also attending sessions that are not directly related to your field or totally new ones. So choose 'wisely' (intended pun) but be bold :D You will never know how would they benefit you. They might surprise you. Also, having an agenda is helpful. So, for example, if you want to promote a certain organization, keep in mind doing this through discussions and questions.
You can interact with other attendees through:
attending sessions and discussions
organizing your own workshops/meet-ups (make sure to do so months ahead)
planning one-to-one meetings with other attendees[n1]
networking with people over breaks and lunches
attending networking events[n2]
Hotel & venue:
The conference organizers usually have a list of recommended hotels and by staying in any of them you get a free shuttle ride to and from the venue (QNCC). I think this is nice because it gives you an organized ride in which you can have informal interactions with other attendees. But be ready to wake up early as the bus leaves at 6:00/6:30 am.
innovative education tools
teacher training
curriculm development
assessment
prepartion for employement
teacher-student relation
You should try and attend.
The program is structured like usual conferences; there are plenary sessions in the huge theatre followed/preceded by other meetups/sessions/workshops from which you can choose according to your interests. My advice would be choosing well in advance of attending because the number of attendees is always limited. However, I noticed that people don't really abide by their choices and you will often times find sessions that are really crowded and others that are really empty. Also, I would also recommend not only attending sessions about things you know you are interested in but also attending sessions that are not directly related to your field or totally new ones. So choose 'wisely' (intended pun) but be bold :D You will never know how would they benefit you. They might surprise you. Also, having an agenda is helpful. So, for example, if you want to promote a certain organization, keep in mind doing this through discussions and questions.
You can interact with other attendees through:
attending sessions and discussions
organizing your own workshops/meet-ups (make sure to do so months ahead)
planning one-to-one meetings with other attendees[n1]
networking with people over breaks and lunches
attending networking events[n2]
Hotel & venue:
The conference organizers usually have a list of recommended hotels and by staying in any of them you get a free shuttle ride to and from the venue (QNCC). I think this is nice because it gives you an organized ride in which you can have informal interactions with other attendees. But be ready to wake up early as the bus leaves at 6:00/6:30 am.
My participation
I had an agenda :D I wanted to tell as many as I can about Wikipedia and Wikipedia Education Program and get them involved. To this end, I seized every opportunity to speak about this. I did apply for two workshops for me and my friends to organize but apparently there was no room for them. Hence, I had to rely on my networking skills. At the beginning, I was a bit disoriented but I quickly got over it and went straight to people and talked. So my advice would be not to wait for an opportunity but make one. Be sure that most of the other attendees are looking for new partnerships, new ideas...etc and they do expect you to start speaking with them. Also, it will be super cool if you have business cards ready. If you don't have them, like me, try using any other type of promotional material like brochures, bookmarks, stickers and write your name, affiliation, and email over them. Make sure you do leave a few copies of the material you have scattered around the coffee tables for people to read on the run (I did this with brochures). It would be nice if you already have some meetings planned in advance through Wise Who's Who (a communication platform for Wise confirmed attendees). A good meeting point would definitely be the huge spider sculpture.
I had a problem with finding people in the first day because I didn't know the place well and couldn't identify where am I or which way to go. It was quite humorous to find so many people waiting to meet others in front of the spider. I actually got to have little meetings before the planned meeting. Also, an important thing would be keeping an eye on you your Wise messaging system; you will receive messages. While attending workshops or sessions, I tried to always find a way to bring up Wikipedia. I also asked for the contact details of all the people I spoke with to follow up with them. Right now I'm already in contact with a few of them trying to see how to get started with Wikipedia integration which is awesome.
I had a problem with finding people in the first day because I didn't know the place well and couldn't identify where am I or which way to go. It was quite humorous to find so many people waiting to meet others in front of the spider. I actually got to have little meetings before the planned meeting. Also, an important thing would be keeping an eye on you your Wise messaging system; you will receive messages. While attending workshops or sessions, I tried to always find a way to bring up Wikipedia. I also asked for the contact details of all the people I spoke with to follow up with them. Right now I'm already in contact with a few of them trying to see how to get started with Wikipedia integration which is awesome.
Outcome
I got MANY people interested in Wikipedia and WEP! For example, I met this cool program development coordinator who wants to get involved. There is also interest from an institute that provides training for teachers. There were also other people from Nigeria interested in Wikipedia Zero (I found myself talking about this too :D).
I also have other people from the Philippines who were enthusiastic about it. The list goes on and on really. As mentioned above, I'm now following up with many people to see how can we start.
I also have other people from the Philippines who were enthusiastic about it. The list goes on and on really. As mentioned above, I'm now following up with many people to see how can we start.
I'm also particularly happy that I got a chance to introduce Wikipedia to people working in education technology, research, student's assessment, empathy teaching, vocational training, special needs education, media, libraries, universities and so much more.
In addition, I got to introduce the different ways in which contribution to Wikipedia can be achieved. I used this presentation to demonstrate this. People needed to feel how Wikipedia can be integrated in their institutions and the presentation was an eye-opener. I received question about the cost of integrating such projects and I was very happy to say "minimal" and I gave real life example from WEP. Also, I got a chance to dispel some of the negativity surrounding Wikipedia in universities. I spoke with researchers in education and explained the issue from many sides.
In addition, I got to introduce the different ways in which contribution to Wikipedia can be achieved. I used this presentation to demonstrate this. People needed to feel how Wikipedia can be integrated in their institutions and the presentation was an eye-opener. I received question about the cost of integrating such projects and I was very happy to say "minimal" and I gave real life example from WEP. Also, I got a chance to dispel some of the negativity surrounding Wikipedia in universities. I spoke with researchers in education and explained the issue from many sides.
Overall view
The variety of sectors related to education in this conference is awesome. I really like how I reached to people from different specialities who knew no thing about Wikipedia as a tool to be used in education. Just don't be discouraged by the lack of replies to messages you send via Wise messaging, it is ok :) Try again with another possible partner. The venue was really nice as well. However, I think the food was good in the second day only. I was really hungry by lunch time in the first day and I was surprised to find nothing but petite pastries. Hence, in the second day I had to bring my own food to the conference, not cool :/ Also, wear high heels only if they are comfortable enough to wear them and walk a lot in the conference venue (you can tell what I've been through :(). All in all, the conference was a great experience from which WEP can benefit.
Click here for more pictures of the venue and workshops.
Click here for more pictures of the venue and workshops.
Notes
1. This can happen through WISE Who's Who platform. Use search filters, send messages and get in touch.
2. In WISE 2015, only one networking event was for free. If you missed the paid ones, you can always meet the attendees throughout the conference sessions and over lunches and coffee breaks.
2. In WISE 2015, only one networking event was for free. If you missed the paid ones, you can always meet the attendees throughout the conference sessions and over lunches and coffee breaks.