HI Kayla!
If anything good has come of all of this, it's the discovery of zoom. We switched to doing zoom Teacher Trainings regularly during covid, as we used to have in person trainings at our library branches that were very popular. We do a regular live zoom 3rd Saturday from 10-12 training still, finding that not only do we reach the rural areas in our state, but we have had teachers from other states and even Canada tune in. I am grateful to be able to reach so many and give PD for free, that I hesitate to give that up and switch back to only in person. We still have not decided for the new year, but I am leaning towards a hybrid of some sort. (one month in person, one month zoom)
I was also thinking (and a few teachers have requested) of a way to zoom and have an in person PD. So people can be there if they choose, but you could also join in online. That would take some major camera and lighting set up though, but it can be done with some thought! Susan
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Susan Frizsell
Curriculum Coordinator
Nashville, TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2021 07:26 PM
From: Kayla Hayes
Subject: Conference Models, Virtual and/or Hybrid Model Advice
Hello,
My name is Kayla Hayes and I am a board member of our local affiliate here in Anchorage, Alaska. I wanted to reach out to other affiliates and see what has been successful for you with your annual conferences, more specifically if you have moved to some version of online rather than in person. I have heard about virtual conferences and hybrid models and wanted to learn a bit more to help inform our decision making for our own conference. Additionally, Alaska has many amazing early educators from all different parts of our vast state and for that reason connectivity can pose some technical difficulties in our more rural areas. Can anyone share how they were able to overcome or help with some of these difficulties in rural communities for their conferences? What has been successful or a barrier for making the switch from in-person conferences to a virtual platform? Any and all advice and/or input would be greatly appreciated!
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Kayla Hayes
Anchorage AK
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