Disrupting Our Own Conference Learning Models [Webinar] March 2, 2016 by Jeff Hurt The demands of our 21st Century conference participants mandate that we change our traditional event experience. Today’s workforce requires that our participants interact, think and work in collaborative ways. Yet our conferences persistently promote expert-directed, one-way passive monologues and panel dialogues. Our conferences continue to resemble the routines of the 19th and 20th century school. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , adult learning, conference best practices, conference education, conference learning model, networking, peer-based learning, peer-to-peer, peerology, webinar
Why Bother With Conference Education Peer Discussions? February 17, 2016 by Jeff Hurt How many conference speakers have you seen that don’t want attendees asking, answering, commenting or participating during their presentations? From the speaker’s point of view, the presentation seems to be moving along nicely as the content is covered. The room is silent except the speaker’s voice. And surely that means that the audience is attentively … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , adult education, adult learning, adult learning principles, adult learning strategies, conference best practices, conference education, discussions, lecture, paragogy, peer-to-peer, peerology
Your Conference Attendees Utterly Deep Driving Need To Share Experiences November 12, 2014 by Jeff Hurt My sister likes to talk! Saying she like to talk is an understatement. I don’t think she ever stops talking except when she sleeps. She is not that much different from my father. He likes to talk and talk and talk. And a couple of my very close friends are like that too. They all … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , adult learning, conference best practices, informal learning, learning design, peer-to-peer, peerology, speaker tips
Changes In The Information Cycle Are Driving Conference Education Reform July 2, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Conferences (and associations) used to be the go-to source for information and content about a profession or industry. Today, the tools of content creation and distribution actually rest in the hands of individuals. Anyone can create and share content. While not everyone wants to be a content creator, everyone has an interest in organizing and … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , adult learning, conference education, content, education best practices, paragogy, peer-based learning, peer-to-peer, peerology, sense-making
Bringing Authentic Conference Conversations To Life April 16, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Peer conversations are more important to your conference than you know. I’m not talking about one of your attendees serving as a speaker talking at the audience. That’s a lecture. I’m referring to peer conversations in pairs, threesomes and small groups. You know when it’s happening at conferences because the rooms are buzzing with discussions. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , adult learning, conference best practices, conference education, conversations, discussions, education best practices, peer-based learning, peer-to-peer, peerology
Improve Your Conference Lecture By Using These Questions For Peer Discussions September 23, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Today, most conference audiences would prefer to engage in one-on-one peer-to-peer discussions than listen to another panel or lecture. It is also clear that employers today place more emphasis on securing employees that are good at engaging others in face-to-face interactions to problem solve, work together and interpret data. Ultimately, peer learning is highly valued … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Speaker Coaching Tagged With: , adult learning, conference best practices, conferences, paragogy, peer-to-peer, peerology
Four Myths About Introverts, Learning And Conferences July 18, 2013 by Jeff Hurt I am an introvert. I enjoy my time alone and typically consider deep relationships as my true friends. I’m not that person that usually enjoys small talk with strangers. However, parts of my job require that I be more outgoing and be the extrovert. When I’m presenting, small talk with participants is critical. I also … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , adult learning, conference best practices, conferences, paragogy, peer-to-peer, peerology
A Conference Peer Discussion Manifesto July 11, 2013 by Jeff Hurt For too many years, our conference education and experiences have been one-way, from the speaker’s mouth to the listener’s ear. Attendees are like pawns in the speaker’s (faux) control. This passive, inactive experience has led to the myth that experts have knowledge that they can give to attendees through their presentations and then attendees have … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , adult learning, conference best practices, conferences, paragogy, peer-to-peer, peerology
New Research Illustrates Need For More Conference Peer Conversations July 10, 2013 by Jeff Hurt 23 employers, including the Smithsonian Institution, Microsoft and Marriott International, stated that engaging others in face-to-face interactions in order to find information and solve problems is a competency that they need most in their employees. Unfortunately, they rarely find this skill demonstrated by today’s college-educated employees. Employers Place High Need On Information Problem Solving Project … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Speaker Coaching Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, paragogy, peer-to-peer, peerology
The Transformative Power Of Peerology June 21, 2013 by Dave Lutz In the world of conference education, the future is not necessarily about the next technology gadget or innovative session format. It’s about something that is as old as disco balls, platform shoes and shag carpeting: peerology. SME — Subject Matter Experts — has long been an important component of education session development. But it’s time … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference education, conferences, education best practices, paragogy, peerology
