Web+2.0+Mashup

I’m envisioning an unconference or mashup camp but having it take place within the NECC convention center.


 * 1) A few weeks before conference set up an aggregator such as Hitchhikr and create a set of unique tags that reflect either a focus on a technology strategy or a focus on a particular tool. After an initial set of tags is presented let users create their own tags but follow the “content”necc07 tag. For instance tags such as bloggingnecc07 for strategies which don’t require a particular tool and blogmeisternecc07, bloggernecc07, wordpressnecc07, for techniques or ideas limited to that tool and do the same for wikis, podcasting, LMSs’ etc. Send them out like memes/focus points before the conference but not too far ahead since the shelf life seems fairly short for certain ideas in the blogosphere to burn out on. Initial sign-ups could be done on a wiki. The idea is that teachers and technologists will focus and take possession of tags that will be used to organize the unconference at NECC.
 * 2) At the conference itself take two days and have a room dedicated to the signing up and presenting of ideas with large tables in a room and outside the room have sign ups only use the tags that were used in the previous weeks to give a more concrete idea of what the presentations/performance/Q & A/passive set-ups involve. Sessions will be limited to a certain amount of time in order for participants, observers, etc. to share ideas. The idea is to achieve a maximum amount of energy and focus much like a bazaar with hawkers selling their wares only in this instance ideas and conversations. There could be hand-outs, face to face interactions, hands on interactions, really no limitation.

Anita McAnear Space constraints for NECC 2007 may force us to start this one on a smaller scale for 2007 and then grow it for 2008. For example, could we try this technique out for the birds of a feather sessions?