For what it's worth -
I took part 'virtually' in a conference with both online and F2F
participants, called the Virtual University, based in Canberra?? [Terry
Anderson was 'there'], some years ago [1995/6?] - the URL I have
unearthed is
http://www2.openweb.net.au/TT96University/
unfortunately I haven't been able to check details because the site*s*
have disappeared (and I remember it did move, with discussions
continuing on after the conference proper for quite some time). Perhaps
someone on the list will remember more?
There were various things about it that did work well, for me at least,
so here's what I recall:
- there was a specific period set for the main 'event', although I don't
recall any synchronous elements
- there were 'keynotes' posted in advance and a space for general
introductions/issues of interest to be posted.
- there were a number of streams organised in an asynchronous conference
area (in later stages I think this was web-caucus at hamline)
- the system clearly indicated what you had already seen, how much
activity was going on in different areas etc.
- there was the option to be notified by email when something new was
added, and the option to participate via a mailing list, or through the
web
- each stream had its own mailing list, with, I think, an overall one
- discussions were archived
- there was, indeed, increased opportunity to communicate with the
keynote speakers, plus links to their related work etc.
- summaries of each of the streams were posted by a moderator and there
was an overall 'plenary' discussion
- as above, there was the option to respond to these and continue the
discussions at a slower rate for some extended period
and,
something that a F2F conference rarely affords - when discussions
overlapped or a new theme became a significant thread, new areas could
be created 'on the fly'
None of these features is new to conferencing systems now, but together
all of these plus the organisation, and some very good moderating,
seemed to make it a far more successful conference than some others I've
dipped into. Perhaps it was simply the range of options, catering for
different 'attendence levels'; certainly I think some of it was due to
the interactions between people who met there!
So far as I remember, there was no charge - it was an experimental
effort with some reflections on how such an event could be held. But, I
may be muddling details ...
I would be very grateful to anyone who has further information or whose
memory [and filing system!] is better than mine!
Sue
> >Can I then invite everyone to send us URLs and/or brief descriptions for
> >virtual conferences which they've found useful? It may be that only one
> >aspect
> >of the event worked well or contained the seeds of a good idea - that too
> >would
> >be useful to hear about.
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Sue Tickner,
GUIDE (Glasgow University Initiative in Distance Education)
22 Western Court,
University of Glasgow, G12 8SQ Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)141 330 3880/3870 Fax: +44 (0)141 330 4079
Email: [log in to unmask]
GUIDE URL: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/guide/
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