Variety
Hands-on demonstrations, expert presentations, blogging, social and pre-conference activity areas
If you think an online conference is going to be a series of online webinar type presentations then you may need to think again about the JISC Innovating e-Learning 2011 conference. There is much more to the conference than you may think.
Firstly, yes there are online presentations from outstanding speakers, these will inspire and challenge you. However each session is also supported by an asynchronous discussion that will allow you a chance to reflect and then engage with the presenter and fellow delegates on the subjects of the day.
There are also hands on demonstrations that allow you to actually try things out and see how stuff works. These real experiences often allow delegates a better understanding of the issues related to new technologies.
The social areas of the conference can be as busy as those found at face to face conferences, however whereas the focus of those areas is often coffee and food; at the online conference there is no need to queue or wait, you can use these social areas to share, discuss and network.
The conference blog allows for commentary, direction and thoughts on the conference. This year James Clay the conference blogger will be joined by guests who will contribute their own thoughts and views on the conference.