It’s only about technology. Many people think this. It’s about LEARNING. Tech tools play a role, but so do thinking, problem solving, and so many other topics. It’s only about what you’re interested in. Because the sessions? You are part of the team of attendees that creates them. Want to know more about something? Sign it up as a topic. Start the conversation and learn.
It’s just for people on Twitter. Huge myth. “But I’m not on Twitter.” It’s okay. You may want to join Twitter after attending just to stay in touch with passionate educators and collaborators you just met, but it’s not required. You don’t need a Twitter account to follow the hashtag of the day, but you can get great help in building your PLN at an edcamp, and trust me, you’ll want to think about building it.
It’s not for introverts. You can listen, learn, lurk, follow the session schedule. You don’t have to feel like speaking up. But you’re also welcomed to. It’s not as intimidating as giving a presentation in a room full of 200 people staring at you in chairs. It’s small circles, chairs around tables, people sitting on the floor, comfortable. It’s a give and take discussion where everyone is welcomed to join in, but never forced to.
There isn’t one in my area. No way. Have you seen the Wiki? They are everywhere.
I won’t learn because there aren’t sessions listed ahead of time. That’s the beauty. The attendees create the sessions. You might just learn even more. How many times have you went to a conference, attended a session, and it wasn’t what you thought it would be? At edcamp, you’re encouraged to get up and head to a different session. It’s not rude, it’s about meeting your needs as an educator and finding the right space to collaborate at the moment. Well, it’s rude if you slam the door and yell “This is awful!”
It’s all people reading PowerPoints and lecturing. I don’t think this is allowed. I believe there is a magical edcamp elf that appears and will destroy your computer if you were to try and do this. I’ve never witnessed the elf actually appearing, but then again, I’ve never had a PowerPoint read to me at an edcamp before. But, be careful on this one…
I don’t have time to go. None of us *have* extra time. Make time for the things important to you. Carve out time to refuel your passion and connect. It is always time well spent. If you haven’t been, you’ll just have to go and see for yourself.
I cannot afford to go. Um. They are free.
I’m not a teacher, I won’t fit in. It doesn’t matter your role. Administrator, tech integration specialist, school counselor, gifted education teacher, art teacher, high school math, elementary physical education, parent, student, graduate researchers, student teacher… I could go on. If you are a someone interested in learning, edcamp is for you. The greatest part of the eclectic mix of people at edcamp is the shared perspectives and unique views that bring understanding to everyone.
I have nothing to share. Everyone feels this way at some point. Think about when kids in your class say that? What do you tell them? Everyone has something to share. Whether you feel comfortable sharing at your first edcamp doesn’t matter. Join in and see what happens. Soon you will find that you can’t resist adding something to the conversation, because it stirs your inner passion and you get fired up. That fire? It’s what edcamp is all about.
Krissy is obsessed with edcamps. Um. Actually this one is not a myth. Check one out, and you’ll see why.
