"So what exactly is an 'Edcamp' anyway?"
Edcamp-style gatherings follow an “unconference” model, so you can expect a free, organic, and participant-driven day of learning and sharing among educators. The day's session schedule will be developed on the fly, based on the interests of everyone in attendance. To learn more about Edcamps, check out one of the brief videos below, or . To find other free and awesome professional development opportunities, visit edcamp.org or TheEduCal.com (co-created by one of our very own #EdcampWESTCHESTER co-founders!).
Edcamp-style gatherings follow an “unconference” model, so you can expect a free, organic, and participant-driven day of learning and sharing among educators. The day's session schedule will be developed on the fly, based on the interests of everyone in attendance. To learn more about Edcamps, check out one of the brief videos below, or . To find other free and awesome professional development opportunities, visit edcamp.org or TheEduCal.com (co-created by one of our very own #EdcampWESTCHESTER co-founders!).
"What should I expect at #edcampWESTCHESTER?"
Like other Edcamps, our day of learning together is:
- Free and open to all. This ensures that all educators can attend.
- Participant-driven. Sessions are determined by the participants at the event; there are no keynotes or super-formal presentations. The goal is to keep sessions spontaneous, interactive and responsive to everyone’s needs.
- Fueled by Experience, not Experts. The educators in the room are professionals worthy of sharing their expertise in a collaborative setting.
- Reliant on the Rule of Two Feet. Participants are encouraged to actively self-select the best content and sessions. Edcampers should leave sessions that do not meet their needs. This provides an effective way of “weeding out” sessions that are not based on appropriate research or not delivered in an engaging format.
(adapted from edcamp.org)
On 12/14/19, our exciting day of learning, sharing and professional development will kick off at 8:30am with breakfast and the session board / scheduling (more on that below). Three 50-minute sessions follow, with discussion topics developed the morning of the Edcamp. We'll close out the day around 1:00pm with a debrief, "smack down," and some raffle prizes!
"Where's the schedule? What sessions are being offered?"
The short answer is, stay tuned! The day is driven by the session board, which is built the morning of our Edcamp. Here, participants write down their interests, and colleagues with experience with those topics choose to share their expertise. You may hear an exemplary use case. You may exchange stories. You may explore questions together. While no two Edcamps are alike, below are some session topics shared at our previous Edcamps:
- Growth mindset and BreakoutEDU
- Behavioral modifications for special needs children
- Makerspace and STEM tools and activities
- Using drama & improv. in literacy
- Hands-on coding activities and games
- Technology in early childhood
- How to “gamify” learning
"This sounds great! How do I register?"
Let's cue up that registration link! Click here to register (for free) on our Eventbrite page. Please share the word with your colleagues too - Here's a print-friendly flyer for distribution at your school.
"Who's behind #edcampWESTCHESTER and how can I help out?"
This Edcamp follows the same "secret sauce" recipe of other Edcamps as described above, and was created from an interest in gathering like-minded educators from Westchester and surrounding areas for a meaningful day of professional development. The following educators below helped to organize this original Edcamp back in 2015, and continue to work towards refining and improving this awesome day:
We continue to be grateful to Manhattanville College, the School of Education, and Dean Shelley Wepner for graciously hosting this day. Thank you to Glen John, Pat Gannon, IT Services, Catering, Custodial, Manhattanville faculty, student assistants, and all the many moving parts that help to make #edcampWESTCHESTER a successful day for all participants. Of course, a special shoutout goes to our sponsors who help support this Edcamp through donations and/or raffle prizes so our attendees can start the day nourished and energized, and (if they're lucky!) finish the day with some cool new education gear.
We are looking for help organizing and spreading the word. Please share this day of learning with your colleagues and schools, and if you'd like to get more involved, send an email to [email protected]. A print-friendly PDF flyer is in the works, and (once ready) can be downloaded below and shared via email, or posted on your school's bulletin board, in your faculty room, or near mailboxes.