Comments on: We are not the audience (but we still want to learn): Give us peer-to-peer learning http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning Making a loud noise and leaving the room since 2004 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:54:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Lynn Morton http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning/comment-page-1#comment-1595 Lynn Morton Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:03:04 +0000 http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning#comment-1595 I have to say that SocialDevCamp East did an EXCELLENT job of peer to peer learning. It was probably one of the best events I've attended ever, I walked away with so much to use and was only able to make 3 out of the 5 sessions. I think peer to peer learning also breaks down that barrier between a speaker and audience member. As opposed to the presenter being an "expert" on the subject, the peer to peer is more about the persons experience, an open safe place to ask questions and let the group solve the problem. I wish there were more learning experiences like SocialDevCamp East. For those who are interested you can use the hashtag #sdc2 on Twitter Search to see what happened all day long. I have to say that SocialDevCamp East did an EXCELLENT job of peer to peer learning. It was probably one of the best events I’ve attended ever, I walked away with so much to use and was only able to make 3 out of the 5 sessions. I think peer to peer learning also breaks down that barrier between a speaker and audience member. As opposed to the presenter being an “expert” on the subject, the peer to peer is more about the persons experience, an open safe place to ask questions and let the group solve the problem. I wish there were more learning experiences like SocialDevCamp East. For those who are interested you can use the hashtag #sdc2 on Twitter Search to see what happened all day long.

]]> By: Peter Houstle http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning/comment-page-1#comment-1544 Peter Houstle Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:55:51 +0000 http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning#comment-1544 To a certain extent, it seems the speaker/do-er dilemma argues for greater use of facilitators who bring a combination of intelligence and general subject knowledge along with strong platform and audience management skills. While not the same learning experience as the unconference, we've seen good facilitators deliver a more traditional, but high quality educational experience with a panel of rather dry, "um" speaking but highly qualified individuals. We wish more conference coordinators would take this path. To a certain extent, it seems the speaker/do-er dilemma argues for greater use of facilitators who bring a combination of intelligence and general subject knowledge along with strong platform and audience management skills. While not the same learning experience as the unconference, we’ve seen good facilitators deliver a more traditional, but high quality educational experience with a panel of rather dry, “um” speaking but highly qualified individuals. We wish more conference coordinators would take this path.

]]> By: Kare Anderson http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning/comment-page-1#comment-1543 Kare Anderson Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:42:43 +0000 http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning#comment-1543 Great post! Another option to get the most out of experts with first-hand experience is to invite one of the professional speakers to be "in conversation" with the expert or panel of experts. As a former journalist, now speaker who loves to learn from expert I enjoy this opportunity as much as being a keynoter. At 14 conferences so far I've spoken, then been "in conversation" with an expert for that audience, then led a panel - to be sure each person had a chance to speak and there was time for audience questions. If it can happen in one day I and some other speakers enjoy the variation. But Ben, it takes awhile to get meeting planners to consider these options, in my experience. They are not "traditional". Making meetings more interactive in ways that generate more value is a win for attendees, speakers and those "ah", "um" 'well" experts who can offer some of the most valuable tips - when answering questions. Also it would be fun to see sessions with brief presentations by members and other experts, perhaps Pecha Kucha style. Shining a spotlight on more participants in ways that make them shine enables all of us to find the attendees with whom we might collaborate, seek advice or help. Great post! Another option to get the most out of experts with first-hand experience is to invite one of the professional speakers to be “in conversation” with the expert or panel of experts. As a former journalist, now speaker who loves to learn from expert I enjoy this opportunity as much as being a keynoter.

At 14 conferences so far I’ve spoken, then been “in conversation” with an expert for that audience, then led a panel – to be sure each person had a chance to speak and there was time for audience questions. If it can happen in one day I and some other speakers enjoy the variation.

But Ben, it takes awhile to get meeting planners to consider these options, in my experience. They are not “traditional”.

Making meetings more interactive in ways that generate more value is a win for attendees, speakers and those “ah”, “um” ‘well” experts who can offer some of the most valuable tips – when answering questions.

Also it would be fun to see sessions with brief presentations by members and other experts, perhaps Pecha Kucha style. Shining a spotlight on more participants in ways that make them shine enables all of us to find the attendees with whom we might collaborate, seek advice or help.

]]> By: Daniel, The Real Estate Zebra http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning/comment-page-1#comment-1538 Daniel, The Real Estate Zebra Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:41:30 +0000 http://benmartincae.com/we-are-not-the-audience-but-we-still-want-to-learn-give-us-peer-to-peer-learning#comment-1538 You could have mentioned me by name. :-) I also made a video at NAR addressing this very subject. I'll be posting it soon, probably tomorrow. Still digging out today (and sick). Actually, I think that one of the problems with do-ers is that many of them aren't, well, teachers. Being a teacher is even different from being a presenter. The ability to convey knowledge in such a way that others can easily acquire it is a skill in and of itself. Not all do-ers have it. The more peer-to-peer experiences you can provide, the more easy it is to identify the do-ers that also make good teachers. You could have mentioned me by name. :-)

I also made a video at NAR addressing this very subject. I’ll be posting it soon, probably tomorrow. Still digging out today (and sick).

Actually, I think that one of the problems with do-ers is that many of them aren’t, well, teachers. Being a teacher is even different from being a presenter. The ability to convey knowledge in such a way that others can easily acquire it is a skill in and of itself. Not all do-ers have it.

The more peer-to-peer experiences you can provide, the more easy it is to identify the do-ers that also make good teachers.

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