Shri Footring

A colleague recently asked whether anyone was able to share an events checklist.

I am leading on the organisation of five events this term so I’m finding it useful to think about this. The following is my own, personal informal ‘events checklist’.

All our events planning is done via our online database which is linked to our website. I have taken screen prints of the online forms and attached them to this post. Bookings, delegate lists, sign in sheets, delegate special requirements, evaluation links, certificates for attendance and so on are all handled by our automated system. [Screen prints of database ‘add event’ forms]. Delegate badges are produced by our excellent admin team.

It strikes me, however, that there are a number of other things I think about when planning events, not all of which are on these forms. So here is a slightly higher level checklist.

High Level - Why are we offering this event?

• Is it meeting a need amongst our supported learning providers?
• Are we working in partnership with appropriate other organisations?
• Does it align with our overall organisational strategic plan?
• Could the event be offered online? (There is a whole different checklist for online events, not considered in this post (yet).

Event Design Level

• What type of event is it?
  • Dissemination of research and / or funded projects?
  • Introduction to new technologies / techniques?
  • Introduction to new policies or guidelines which affect supported learning providers’ use of technology?
  • Good practice sharing?
  • A combination of one or more of the above?
• What is the best format for this event? (This will be determined by answers to the above)
  • Conference style presentations with discussion?
  • Hands on workshop / parallel workshops?
  • Contributions from the floor?
• Has delegate feedback from previous events been taken into account?
• Speakers and other contributors:
  • Is it appropriate to invite external speakers / facilitators? National? Regional? Local?
  • Have we spent time talking with them about our event aims and target audience?
• Does the programme for the day work?
  • Will delegates be able to get there / get home comfortably?
  • Have we built in enough breaks / shuffle time?
• How and where will we publicise this event? When?

Venue Considerations

• Is the venue in a reasonable geographical location for the target audience?
• Are there adequate public transport links and / or car parking facilities available?
• Is it accessible for those with mobility needs?
• Is there a good reliable Internet connection? (For the speakers? For delegates?)
• Are there good projection and audio amplification facilities?
• Are any websites blocked from this venue? (Is this an issue?)
• Does the venue provide Wi-Fi? Is is good / reliable? If we’re expecting delegates to use their own laptops, are there sufficient power outlets?
• What is the ideal room layout? Can it be achieved comfortably?
• Do we trust the catering? Has anyone visited the venue recently to make sure all is well?

In addition to the above, there is a great deal of detail to be attended to. Much of this can be seen in the attached database screen prints, but I might have left something out. Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions.

Time is running out – don’t miss out on funding opportunities, and the chance to participate in Phase 2 of the technology exemplar network

Further to our recent communication, please remember the closing date for applications to join the Technology Exemplar Network as a participating provider is fast approaching, and with interest levels high, we encourage providers to submit their application as soon as possible. The closing date is noon on 30^th October.

Grants are available to the successful participating providers for up to £15k delivering LSC funded learning programmes.

JISC RSCs are here to support to providers during the period of application.  In particular, they can offer support on the use of Generator; the technology improvement leadership tool, and how an applicant might use Generator to demonstrate the strength of their application to join the technology exemplar network.

It is not expected that managers or advisers from the JISC RSCs will respond to queries on the application process. These will be handled by the Association of Colleges (supported by the Association of Learning Providers) on behalf of Becta and the LSC.

Regular updates will be posted to the Becta website during the application process and, where appropriate, will be notified to managers and advisers within JISC RSCs. Frequently asked questions are also available on the Becta website.

The application form and guidance notes are available by clicking the respective links.

Please email us at exemplarnetwork@becta.org.uk if you are considering applying to become a participating provider in Phase 2 of the Technology Exemplar Network. Please include the name and type of your organisation; e.g. general FE college, sixth form college, land-based college, specialist college, work-based learning, offender learning, adult and community learning. This is not a commitment to apply but will allow us to monitor applications.

We look forward to hearing from you.

At Braintree College:

http://info.rsc-eastern.ac.uk/events/event_details.asp?eid=606

 http://info.rsc-northern.ac.uk/events/event_details.asp?eid=590

Presented a workshop, jointly with Jane.

All presentations and resources from this event are available from:

http://moodle.rsc-northern.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=117

http://info.rsc-eastern.ac.uk/events/event_details.asp?eid=607

http://info.rsc-eastern.ac.uk/events/event_details.asp?eid=621

I was delighted to be able to participate in this two day conference organised by RSC Wales. It was a great opportunity for leaders from ACL, WBL, Offender Learning, the Voluntary sector as well as a number of other stakeholders to get together and share experiences and best practice.http://admin.rsc-wales.ac.uk/events/event_details.asp?eid=459

All the presentations were thought provoking. I particularly enjoyed Alan Clarke’s closing keynote.

Jane Edwards and I jointly presented a session on the use of Virtual Worlds in Education.

This week, I have been involved in two RSC Eastern online events: “Blogs, Wikis and more: Web 2.0 demystified”, one for information professionals on the 23rd February, and then again for learning and teaching professionals on the 25th February.

We’ve had some great feedback, and our trainer for both days, Marieke Guy has blogged about her experiences here:

http://remoteworker.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/squirmy-creatures-my-first-online-presentation/

 All resources from the event are available from our website:
http://info.rsc-eastern.ac.uk/events/event_details.asp?eid=616

We hope to offer more online events in the coming months. Look out for the next one, an ACL / WBL Briefing coming up on the 12th May:

http://info.rsc-eastern.ac.uk/events/event_details.asp?eid=600

On Friday 13th February, Malcolm and I took the scenic route to the BDP offices, to talk about the new eCPD programme, being managed by LSIS. http://ecpd.bdplearning.com.

The new eCPD Programme is supports whole organisational approaches to harnessing technology for learning and will enable practitioners to make effective use of technology to support and enhance learning, any time, any place. The programme is delivered on behalf of LSIS by BDP Learning in partnership with further education representatives and the Association for Learning Technology.    

Providers are invited to nominate a member of staff to be trained as a Professional Development Adviser (PDA) to lead whole organisational approaches to improving teaching and learning using technology. 

 For further information including training dates, venues and to download a PDA nomination form, visit the programme’s new online learning space, http://ecpd.bdplearning.com. This is a growing community of practice developed with representatives from the whole FE system where colleagues across the country can network with each other and access the latest eCPD framework’s modules and resources.  

Apply for funding for showcase projects – deadline 23 March 2009  

Funding is also available to support the creation of showcase projects demonstrating exemplary work and effective practice in using technology to improve teaching and learning. The deadline for receipt of the second round of applications is 23 March 2009.  For further details including funding and guidance on how to submit a proposal, visit http://ecpd.bdplearning.com.