The annual Teaching and Learning with Technology symposium took place yesterday at the Penn Stater conference hotel. While the speakers and subject matter were incredibly interesting, I couldn’t help but examine the space used through an “Occupy Learning” lense.
Description
If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, the TLT Symposium must be pretty well-loved. The day started early, and the attendees broke their fast while sitting around round tables and listening to Jane McGonigal–2012’s keynote speaker. She entertained the crowd with tales of educational gaming successes and ideas for the future.
Afterwards, I chose to see Michael Elavsky presentation, “Global Communication Pedagogy as Hybridized Collaborative Engagements” and Scott/Ellysa’s presenation, “Digital Scholarship: How Digital Tools are Reshaping Academic Work.” A small set up of eclectic snacks (including real slushy machine) was set up in the same hallway as the breakout sessions. Inside each room, audience members sat at long rows of tables with comfortable leather chairs. Unfortunately, the weak wireless signal and lack of available power outlets led to some grumbling. I also found it interesting that Scott/Ellysa led a pen-and-paper based activity to describe areas of digital scholarship.
The afternoon brought even more food and sessions, but my brain started to wander as the day wore on. While I now wish that I had checked out the School of Nursing’s station and the rumored relaxation area, at the time I was content to continue on the path of least resistance. Leaving the building, I slipped on the limestone hallway made slick by the day’s rain.
Impact on Learning and Teaching
This is the first time my stomach has felt satisfied at a conference–which actually speaks a great deal to the availability of funding for this subject area versus Art Education. Having caffeine (and snacks) readily available kept attendees in the conference area and mitigated the need for outside breaks.
However, the round tables in which we ate breakfast did not allow easy visual access to the keynote speaker. If only the room was set up like the Innovation Studio! Having just one other screen on the opposite wall projecting her image would have saved me a neck ache.
It also seems strange that a conference dedicated to technology did not have a strong wireless backbone nor easy access to power. Scott/Ellysa’s use of a paper activity may have been a blessing in disguise. If the medium had matched the message (perhaps an online poll or other note system that aggregated everyone’s responses) a lack of reliable internet could have disrupted the flow.
As for my slip on the limestone floor? Just another example of my clumsiness. Although…perhaps someone should check out alternative materials or rain coverings before Penn State gets sued.