Wow! This EdCamp experience was so cool! This was such an interesting way to promote discussion. For my future self, who my not remember the EdCamp experience: it’s a form of discussion and collaboration dictated by the interests of the people involved. We started by all getting a sticky note on which we could write what topics we would like to discuss. Once all our ideas were up on the wall, we got to go and vote on which we thought we’d most like to discuss, finishing with three interesting topics to think about. I went to discuss how to deal with difficult parents, which was a very small group (only 4 of us) but a very interesting conversation. We had the option to wander to different groups, but while I would’ve liked to know what was discussed in those groups, the conversation I was in was too good to leave. It’s impossible to be in two places at once of course, but it is a shame I couldn’t learn from the ideas of all the groups.

I would love to integrate this into a classroom. I could see myself using this to help teach idea generation or inquiry. Say we were doing a project on Canadian history (broad, but whatever). We could do this at the beginning so students could pick their topic and discuss ideas with people who are also passionate about those areas. Students who are struggling to pick a topic could move from group to group to see what catches their eye. Yes, I would love to use this is my own teaching practice.