I'm old enough to remember the days of computer users' groups, where computer enthusiasts met together regularly in a city or region. Enthusiasts included both novices and experts, and some of those monthly or bi-monthly meetings resulted in software archives and even conferences. Excellent learning opportunities.
Fast forward to 2008. Now people are using the web to dynamically organize a conference in an open-source way. This is commonly called an "unconference", because there is $0 registration and the agenda is collaboratively generated. Some unconferences build the agenda when the unconference starts,
using an "open grid" schedule. Alternatively, the agenda could be prepared using a web app like a wiki or a Facebook event. All of it rather unstructured, dynamic, spontaneous, and everyone participates as peers. (cf. Why "unconferences" are fun conferences, How to Run a Great Barcamp or Unconference, 20 useful unconference resources) [photo credit: Roland]
An unconference called ChurchTechCamp is convening tomorrow (Friday 9/26) at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. I've heard 50+ people have registered. Here's the description from the website:
#churchtechcamp is a localized unconference for people of faith to gather and share their own best practices and "in the field" insights. More simply put - it is a place where we all are the expert, everyone has something to share, and we all have valuable experiences we can learn from.... for all of you that are remote and can't physcially attend check out the new LIVE page, there you will be able to be fully interactive with us during the event by video, im chat and live blogging.
[update 9/26] It's all live right now, on the LIVE page, join the conversation
Kudos to the core group who put this together: Tony Steward, Robert Yang, Rich Kirkpatrick, Cynthia Ware, Matt Singley . Maybe this ChurchTechCamp will be a template for other Christian unconferences.
I'll be stopping by on behalf of Digital blog and facilitation a discussion on whether blogging still matters. I'll blog a few nuggets here from ChurchTechCamp tomorrow.
-- DJ Chuang, Leadership Network Director
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