Learning 2.009

[Brian Lockwood]

Learning 2.009, what's next?

[Jeff Utecht]

Will be following this. Seeing if anyone posts anything. Also, there will be a survey coming out hopefully later this week asking for feedback.

[Ann Krembs]

There better be another one; I've already been telling everyone over here at ASB that we all gotta go next year!

[Brian Lockwood]

I'd like to learn more about the organization process. It must be a crazy amount a work. I'm so thankful for the school in Shanghai for organizing this. Can it be sustainable to have all the conferences in one city or can it expand to other parts? Could it be hosted in Benjin, Bangkok or Tokyo for instance?

[Jeff Utecht]

I think it could be but there are a couple things that MUST be in place.

1. A school must be committed to hosting it. This means creating a calendar with days that are set aside for the conference and understand that the conference will control of the campus those days.

2. An administrator from the school (Deputy Head, Supt, or Principal) MUST be on the organizing committee.

3. The organizing committee should be made up of teachers, IT, and administartors

4. Find the conference theme and stick to it!

5. Think outside the box and understand that learning 2.0 Asia is not made nor do people expect your "typical conference".

Just my thoughts. :)

[Paul McMahon]

Jeff,

As someone who co-organised 21st Century Learning @ Hong Kong in May, let me add a point 6 which, in my opinion, needs to really be point 1.

6. You must get the backing of an organization like EARCOS, ACAMIS etc to back the funding.

I am fairly certain that your committee did not chip in to pay for airfares of David Warlick, Ewan McIntosh, et al. In Hong Kong we were told by most of the speakers that we wanted to engage that we had to give them a financial assurance (understandably).

I received fantastic support from all attendees for another conference in Hong Kong next year but I have gone cap in hand to many agencies here in Hong Kong and noone so far wants to pick it up. EARCOS and ACAMIS unfortunately do not have the presence in Hong Kong that they do in Shanghai. ACAMIS have left a possibility which I am now pursuing.

Anyone reading this who knows of another source, let me know!

Paul

[Jon P. Zurfluh]

Paul,

The math actually supports doing this conference in it's current form without financial obligation from the support organizations. We have gone two years now where ACAMIS and EARCOS have pledged financial support. Year 1 they each chipped in US$6K. We gave it back to them and then some more besides. Year 2 they chipped in US$10K each and it is likely that the books will kick back some money to them again. To be honest, between the registration and vendor support, this conference is self sufficient in a school venue. Hotel is a different story and will likely cost more requiring organizational funding, but you can expect to get US$30K from vendors unless they tighten further. When the books are finalized, you are all welcome to take a look, but generally, we work on a US$150K total budget (including air fares, visa costs, hotels and speakers fees). With 500 participants, adding US$10 to the price is 5K of additional budget. It's all about scale. You increase registration fee and you reduced dependence on outside donations. Look especially at "in-kind" donations and how it can really reduce your bottom line expenses. We've come in under budget in most categories every year. Budget based on per registrant and your budget automatically adjusts as you get closer. Both years we added to food budget beyond initial quotes and have succeeded each time at coming in under budget. (That's likely to be more difficult in another geographic location.)

Canvas the vendors and get them on board early. Describe and be rigorous about your fees for services and "in-kind" options. Creatively negotiate and hold your email list until the last minute, but give them teasers as registration unfolds.

It's kind of a fun, but nervous process. Always works out in the end somehow.

Z

[Paul McMahon]

Cheers John,

Appreciate the feedback.

I really want to do it again in Hong Kong as May was such a great event. I have had quite a few discussions with folk already about possibilities and I am confident that it will be a case of "when" rather than "if".

I am assisting with the organisation of a Google for Educators workshop at Hong Kong University next weekend and we have around 140 on the list to go as a result of a few emails. This is indicative of the growing interest in the region.

One of the guys in the vendor hall suggested that we try to enlist the support of a school in Shenzhen as this might be easier for mainland school staff to access whilst still being a good option for Hong Kongers. (Cheaper hotels as well.) I am in contact with Robyn Lynch of Shekou International about possibilities.

Thanks for the sharing and the openness. I would really like to see some figures as our conference in May was kept very cheap to allow all schools to send as many as possible (US$100 for 2 days). At that, we still had a few complain about the cost of sending multiple staff. Mind you, these same schools are known for spending a fortune on IWBs, laptop trolleys etc. and then beating up staff when they don't use the gear! Some schools in Hong Kong seem to think that they can do without a PD budget.

Cheers

Paul

[mlambert74]

Paul,

Justin Hardman, technology coordinator for Hong Kong International School is interested.

His email is: [e-mail]

Mike L.

[Paul McMahon]

Thanks Mike,

I regularly talk to Justin. In fact we were chatting yesterday but he did not mention this. I will drop him a line.

Cheers

Paul

[Michael McGlade]

I would love to see a simultaneous conference in Dubai. I would be willing to organize (with help!). Maybe participate through webcasts, like a virtual conference here for people who can not get to Shanghai.

Or a parallel conference. Same theme, same organization, same time, but in Dubai. I could get my school on board and we have several schools in our network here.

[Brian Lockwood]

I wonder if there has been talks of moving the conference later into the year? Dubai in September feels hot.

[Warren Apel]

I thought the timing was perfect - early enough in the year to implement the great ideas we learned, late enough that the hectic beginning of year is over.