ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Dear Bonnie,
at the last Ecsite conference I convened 2 sessions using a simple and
very effective format that got outstanding comments. Both sessions
were about technology and media.
In each session there were 6 speakers, each speaker did a 5 min max
"pitch" about a theme, issue or question that they wanted to explore
in more depth.
The presentations were carefully prepared, in order to convey meaning
and stimulate curiosity within the short timeframe. Some presented a
video, some had slides, some did a live demo on the internet.
After the six presentations, each speaker led a group discussion for
about 30 minutes on the theme(s) that they presented. The audience was
asked to join the group that they felt was more interesting or useful
for their work, and in both sessions we had 6 talking circles on
different themes.
It is indeed a very simple, but highly effective format. Several
people after the session commented enthusiastically, and it was really
nice to see such a high level of engagement from more than 100 people
who attended each session. The evaluation of both sessions was
extremely positive.
It is important to have a large room, or enough space to have the 6
groups discussing without interfering with each other; I guess the
really nice outcome is that such a format allows people to have
discussions in groups of a manageable size, something that becomes
increasingly more difficult with an ever growing number of attendees
at the conference.
I'll be happy to share more details if needed.
Best regards,
Andrea
-----------------------------------------------------
Andrea Bandelli [log in to unmask]
Van Beuningenstraat 36A tel. +31-20-486 2260
1051 XG Amsterdam fax: +31-842-138 990
The Netherlands mobile: +31-616 972 552
http://www.bandelli.com
On 28 Jul 2009, at 23:06, Bonnie VanDorn wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> The ASTC Conference Program Planning Committee is considering
> alternatives to standard presentations in a panel format. Please
> send us 1-2 examples of an alternative presentation format that you
> would like to see at a future ASTC conference.
> Below is an example of the type of information that would be helpful
> to the committee as it considers new formats for the conference:
> The Fishbowl format (a form of dialog for use when discussing topics
> within large groups): Four to five chairs are arranged in an inner
> circle. This is the fishbowl. The remaining chairs are arranged in
> concentric circles outside the fishbowl. A few participants either
> volunteer or are selected to fill the fishbowl, while the rest of
> the group sit on the chairs outside the fishbowl. One chair is left
> empty. The moderator introduces the topic and the participants start
> discussing the topic. The audience outside the fishbowl listens in
> on the discussion. Any member of the audience can, at any time,
> occupy the empty chair and join the fishbowl. When this happens, an
> existing member of the fishbowl must voluntarily leave the fishbowl
> and free a chair. The discussion continues with participants
> frequently entering and leaving the fishbowl. When time runs out,
> the fishbowl is closed and the moderator summarizes the discussion.
>
>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org
> .
>
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-----------------------------------------------------
Andrea Bandelli [log in to unmask]
Van Beuningenstraat 36A tel. +31-20-486 2260
1051 XG Amsterdam fax: +31-842-138 990
The Netherlands mobile: +31-616 972 552
http://www.bandelli.com
***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
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