Tag: TMM09

TeachMeet Midlands 20th May 2011

TeachmeetPublished on3 Comments on TeachMeet Midlands 20th May 2011

tm midlands 11.005

I am delighted to be announcing that there will be another Midlands TeachMeet this year. Hot on the heels of the great success in Lutterworth at Spring half term comes Teachmeet Midlands 2011 take two!

We are in celebratory mood as it is the 5th anniversary of the best type of teacher professional you will ever be involved with. There are stacks of events kicking off around the UK to mark the celebration – which are you involved in?

3540648108 93722634cf z

2 years ago Stuart Sutherland and I organised the first TeachMeet Midlands at the National College in Nottingham and we are really pleased to announce we will be using this stunning venue again. We also welcome along the huge expertise of Kevin Mulryne to the organising team who has (amongst other things) the challenge of making the streamed online experience the best it has ever been for a TeachMeet.

It was a great success last time out and I am sure those who attended will comment that the venue contributed to the quality of what we learned that night – I am sure it will be the same this year.

3539900145 6f139a323c z

Head on over to the wiki and sign up to lurk or even to give a short presentation about an interesting story of learning.

But wait there is more – here is my personal challenge to you, yes that includes all you regulars who enjoy these events. We need to find those who may never have heard of TeachMeet before. We need to go that extra mile this year to spread the word.

So choose:

  • Tell 2 people about TeachMeet Midlands who would not normally discover this type of event.
  • Encourage 2 people to go to TeachMeet Midlands (or one of the TM5 events this year.)
  • Bring 2 people with you who would not normally attend.

Leave a comment to show how you have helped spread the word.

Which are you going to do? It could change the way they perceive teacher professional development forever.

—

Pics

The main room awaits TeachMeet Midlands 2009 By Mr Ush

John Sutton’s session at TeachMeet Midlands 2009 By Mr Ush

TeachMeet Midlands Needs Sponsors!

TeachmeetPublished onLeave a Comment on TeachMeet Midlands Needs Sponsors!

In less than 30 days now we will be holding the TeachMeet Midlands event at the National College for School Leadership in Nottingham.

If you are not familiar with these events they are held at no cost to the people attending, you will be fed and watered and perhaps learn something (with a sprinkling of inspiration) all for free. The NCSL have been amazing with their support via Stuart Sutherland, and have provided us with pre-event drinks, the evening food, all the AV we could wish for and the great venue itself.

But we still need some help.

If you are able to offer a small amount of sponsorship we would be grateful as we are still looking for help with two elements:

  • Bar drinks (via tokens)
  • Wi-fi: Public wifi at the venue is provided by BT Openzone. We are seeking sponsorship to provide BT Openzone cards (@£10 per person) to participants who need access on the night.

As with all of the previous TeachMeets we are not looking for big donations to cover everything, whatever people can manage to show their support and to keep the momentum going with these great events. If you can help or you know someone who would be willing, just leave a comment or drop me an email using the contact form at the top of the page.

TeachMeet – Be Inspired

TeachmeetPublished on5 Comments on TeachMeet – Be Inspired

Back in September I was fortunate enough to attend both the Scottish Learning Festival and the most recent TeachMeet. A TeachMeet is an unconference, there is no organising committee and anyone could arrange one or attend – all it takes is a date on the wiki. People sign up to talk about technology in classrooms and it’s free. It is driven by the passion and enthusiasm of those participating.

Learn something new, be amazed, amused and enthused. This is an informal gathering of those curious about technologies. Anyone can share cool ideas they have or great ideas they’ve trialled in their classrooms.

Participants can talk about any topic, following some simple rules (defined by the participants of course) in 7 minute or 2 minute (nano) slots. My first TeachMeet in Glasgow saw me open the show with the first 7 minute presentation. In January of this year I took part in the FlashMeeting (online coverage) for the TeachMeet at BETT 2008, however the experience of meeting people face to face has no substitute. 

It was such a positive and inspiring experience in Glasgow that I decided to try and organise something closer to home. I enquired with Stuart Sutherland about whether we could host a midlands TeachMeet at the National College for School Leadership in Nottingham. In my opinion this is a venue that is befitting the inspiring nature of TeachMeet and I am thrilled that the NCSL have agreed to support TeachMeet Midlands which will take place on the 15th May 2009. Just pop your name on the wiki if you can make it.

It seems that there has never been a more abundant time for TeachMeets and if you cannot come along to Nottingham in May then you may be able to attend one of the others in the pipeline.

I have even mentioned the idea of taking it to Australia with me at Christmas and organising a TeachMeet Adelaide and Sydney, but I think I might just enjoy my holidays (Unless someone wants to help!)

In my opinion nothing comes close to the energy and passion for learning technologies you experience at a TeachMeet and in every way it is as Ollie Bray once said “My best continuing professional development”.

All of the TeachMeets are dependant on support from sponsors for food, drink, venues, wifi etc. If you think you can help with any of the events above and would like to partner the most inspiring professional development events currently available, then your support would be appreciated.

Sign up and be inspired.