Is Your Conference EPIC? July 31, 2012 by Jeff Hurt The challenge of many conferences today is that they are like local, indigenous populations using their native tongue trying to talk to foreign immigrants. The traditional conference experience is out of touch, disconnected and using an outdated model. It fails to connect with today’s generations. Well, it’s time your conference went EPIC! Four Stages Of … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference education, conferences, participatory culture, participatory learning
You Need These Conference Learning Game Changers July 26, 2012 by Jeff Hurt We need more game changing, transformative learning at our conferences! We need more learning. Deeper learning. More effective education that leads to transformative, productive, professional change. We need more peer sharing and peer learning. We need more education experiences based on scientific evidence of how the adult brain learns. We need conferences to be the … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , adult learning strategies, brain science education, brain-friendly conferences, conference best practices, conference education, conferences, participatory learning
From M&Ms To Supernatural Learning: Attributes Of Effective Learning Strategies July 24, 2012 by Jeff Hurt I don’t believe in cookbooks for learning. I’ve seen too many well-intentioned instructors pick up someone else’s education recipe and create a flawed experience. It just falls flat. The Meal Needs More Than Just The Right Ingredients I do believe in sound ingredients that can be combined and recombined in many ways to create a … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , active learning, active participation, adult education, adult learning principles, adult learning strategies, conference education, interactive, learning, participatory learning
Our Ability To Learn Has Deep Roots In Our Ability To Talk To Others July 16, 2012 by Jeff Hurt Listening is often the only thing attendees do in formal learning environments. Speakers talk. Audiences listen. They listen to keynote speakers at conferences. They listen to presenters in workshops. They listen to industry speakers in education sessions. They listen to staff in HR trainings. The truth is that all that listening amounts to very little … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , adult learning, adult learning principles, adult learning strategies, conference best practices, conference education, conferences, lecture, presentation best practices, presenter, speaker, speaker tips
Conferences Should Mirror These CEO Employee Expectations July 13, 2012 by Jeff Hurt 1,700+ CEOs in 64 countries identified collaboration, agility, mining connections and relationships, and innovation through partnering as the top critical traits that their employees need today. According to CEOs, the top four personal characteristics most critical for employees success were: collaboration, communicative, creative and flexible. CEOs seek employees who will thrive in an open environment. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , collaboration, conference best practices, conference education, conferences, meeting planning best practices, networks, Social Media
Most Organizations Are Victims To Pedagogy – Instructor-Centered Education July 12, 2012 by Jeff Hurt Most organizations use an outdated model to provide education to its customers and team. They are victims to instructor-centered or expert-centered education. They follow a pedagogic model of education. Unfortunately, this greatly hinders active inquiry which is the basis for learning. Pedagogy: Instructor-Focused Education Pedagogy literally mans the art and science of educating children. It … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , adult learning, brain science education, conference education, dult education, lecture, presentation best practices
Lectures Are A Wimpy Model For Learning July 11, 2012 by Jeff Hurt I have reached my limit with well-educated-yet-stupidly-ignorant, egotistical, self-centered experts who believe lectures are the best way to learn. Lectures and listening are wimpy models for learning. The Myth Of Learning From Lectures Too many people believe the myth that listening to a lecture is the fastest way to learn. And too may well-intentioned speakers … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , adult learning, brain science education, conference education, dult education, lecture, presentation best practices
From Boring To Beneficial Conference Education June 29, 2012 by Jeff Hurt Let’s face it. Most conference education is yawn-stirring, sleepy-eyed, ho-hum, day-old soggy Melba-toast tasting boring. It makes root-canals seem fun! Regardless, the human brain loves to learn. In spite of our age, culture, gender and race, our brains are designed to always be on the prowl for new things to discover and experience. The brain … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Experience Design Tagged With: , adult education, adult learning, adult learning principles, conference best practices, conference education, conferences, meeting professionals, presentation best practices, presentation strategies, speaker tips
Conference Presenters Can Literally Change Attendees’ Minds June 28, 2012 by Jeff Hurt Conference attendees generally want to learn. Presenters generally want attendees to learn. Conference organizers and hosts generally want attendees to learn as well. So why does so little learning actually occur at a conference? Good Intentions Pave The Way To Learning Fail The conference organizers’ and presenters’ intentions are good. Unfortunately, their intentions go awry … [Read more…] Filed Under: Speaker Coaching Tagged With: , adult education, adult learning, adult learning principles, conference best practices, conference education, conferences, presentation best practices, presentation strategies, speaker tips
Why Conferences Should Try To Recapture The Campfire Experience June 20, 2012 by Jeff Hurt Many of us have been to summer camp. We sleep in bunks in cabins. Swim in lakes. Row canoes down the stream. Take adventure walks through the forest. Eat meals family-style in log cabin lodges. Make lots of crafts. Our day typically ends with everyone sitting around a campfire as we tell stories and sing … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , adult learning, adult learning principles, adult learning strategies, conference education, conferences, learning