Event info
Unconference
The Unconference consists of informal breakout sessions on topics proposed and facilitated by any attendee with an interest in leading conversations and knowledge-sharing with AMICAL peers. Participants will have the opportunity to continue discussions started in other sessions, as well as to start new conversations and collaborations.
As a participant, all you have to do is to show up to the Unconference session, ready to learn and to contribute.
Those who wish to offer a breakout session can read on to find out how to do so.
Offering a breakout session
Any AMICAL members can propose and moderate a breakout session at the Unconference. You do not need extensive preparation to do so
Submitting a session idea
Identify a topic that you are passionate about, and that is also relevant to libraries, technology and pedagogy at international liberal arts institutions.
For example, your topic may involve…
- Discussing emerging questions within your practice
- Seeking or offering help on common challenges
- Planning for a cross-institutional collaboration or initiative
- Sharing success stories and good practices
- …or anything else that you would like to discuss with other AMICAL members.
When you have an idea you’d like to offer, use the following form to send us a descriptive title for the session:
Propose an Unconference session
Preparing for your breakout session
Your session can take the form of a group discussion, consulting session, or even an impromptu workshop. However, preparing extensive slides or presentation material in advance is strongly discouraged. The moderator’s role is to frame the session and to invite all participants to contribute.
Successful sessions are often structured as follows:
- Start with what you know – your lived experience (briefly)
- Invite participants to respond to what you shared, and to contribute briefly their own experiences.
- Finally, decide what’s next for each of you, individually, as a member of your departments/institutions, and, potentially, as a group.
We encourage you to identify at least one member of the session to take notes.