The unconference

this one is interesting; don't you think?


THAT Camp!
May 31 - June 1, 2008
The Center for History and New Media
George Mason University

The Humanities And Technology Camp is a BarCamp-style, user-generated “unconference” on digital humanities. THATCamp is organized and hosted by the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University.

An unconference is a conference where the content of the sessions is created and managed by the participants (generally day-by-day during the course of the event) rather than by one or more organizers in advance of the event. The term is primarily used in the geek community. Open Space Technology, however, is an unconference process that has been around since 1985 and is now in widespread use. Open Space Technology is an energizing and emergent way to organize an agenda for a conference. Those coming to the event can post on a wiki ahead of time topics they want to present about or hope others will present about. The wiki can also be used as an attendee list.

There are parallels with science-fiction fandom, in which a low-key convention with less structure is called a Relaxacon.

By any other name the recent rise of unstructured learning and occupational socializing is a sign of the times. There appears to be rise in Educational Techno-Anarchism in America. My instinct tells me it's the equal and opposite reaction to No Child Left Behind. I once heard it referred to as No Bureaucrat Left Behind; made me chuckle and want to cry at the same time. Paulo Freire has been trying to tells us for decades to release our grip on the teacher-student dichotomy and begin to understand the how we learn in all environments. It's tough being ahead of your time; the results of your work become apparent to the following generations rather than your own.



that's my sense