edCampLI

In 2014, a group of administrators and one teacher (me!) formed a committee to have the first edCampLI. Here we are in all of our glory.

Edcamps are free public events that leverage the knowledge and experiences of attendees by allowing educators to collaboratively determine topics for discussion on the day of the event. Educators facilitate sessions by using their experiences to drive conversations with their peers. Educators are encouraged to find Edcamp sessions that best meet their needs to maximize learning.

Tenets of the Edcamp Model:

-Free and open to all: Edcamps never charge a fee and are open to educators of all levels, subjects, and schools. Edcamps are designed to expand professional learning communities by encouraging educator participation across schools and districts.
-Participant-driven: Edcamps allow participants to determine session topics collaboratively. Typically, session topics are sourced from those attending the Edcamp, and the session board is built on the day of the Edcamp with participation from participants. However, online Edcamps are allowed to source session topics through their registration process in order to best prepare for their online event.
-Experience, not experts: Edcamps encourage participants to facilitate sessions by sharing experiences. At Edcamp, we encourage conversations, not planned presentations.
-Rule of Two Feet/Clicks: Edcamps suggest participants find sessions that meet their needs to maximize learning. If you are in a session that is not meeting your needs, we encourage you to move on to another session that may be better suited. Online Edcamps use the Rule of Two Clicks to find a session that better meets their needs!
-Vendor Free: Edcamps may not sell any goods/services or require attendees to purchase goods or services. We do not condone inviting vendors to an Edcamp.

Some of the edCampLI founders were invited to the edCampDOE on May 29, 2015, in Washington DC! We participated in edCamp sessions and made some presentations ourselves. We then met Arne Duncan, then the US Secretary of Education! (I'm in the turquoise jacket.)