Filed under: Educational
The NMC Symposium on creativity continues steadily through this week's schedule. The conference demonstrates that the "medium is the message" by developing an open learning environment within the participating community. The key lies in instructing attendees on the tools they need to empower their own innovative ideas. To achieve their goal, NMC makes use of their professional organizational methods and top-notch educational material, both in "print" and in the form of incredible workshop leaders.
To explore the attitudes, attendee stories, and daily events, I highly encourage you to read the symposium collaborative blog at Creating Pandora's Box. CEO Larry Pixel set the tone of the conference with a compelling speech on why creativity matters, which is now available online.
Read on to see which pieces of the puzzle may have contributed to a positive reaction .
1. Attention to detail - or don't lose your sheep!
This is as old as time, but starting with registration, confirmation, information signs technical support line and ending with greeters/helpers embedded in the experience, the symposium has a key efficiency with which it approaches the idea of a professional conference, even if it's in a virtual space.
Does it make a difference? Check out the opinions of participants.
2. Atmosphere - it all starts from the organizer
Staff was accommodating and their confidence echoed in the attitude of participants. Everyone was ready to troubleshoot any technical problems while newbies felt comfortable asking questions/starting up a conversation.
The topic is creativity, so NMC carefully designed an environment to foster it. Sims were full with various art displays/installations that demonstrated potential and amazing vision. DanCoyote Antonelli is an integral part, as was Daruma Picnic's interactive singing sculpture , Ravenelle Zugzwang artwork and various educational and art pieces by Torley Olmstead/Linden.
3. Approach to new technology - give options!
Voice in SL is, without doubt, a double-edged sword. For some people it works, for others it doesn't. We're all trying to work out a way to best use it during meetings. However, no one knows proper etiquette yet, so why experiment by streamlining, especially in a conference that lasts for many days?
The NMC approach was to make all public announcements over the audio stream and conduct most chats in text. For the adventurous traveler, there was information and troubleshooting signs for getting your audio set up. Furthermore, participants were encouraged to use the audio, if comfortable, while in small groups sessions, where voice would amplify personal connection.
4. Orientation signs
These are very nicely done - highly graphical and with very clear and concise explanations. I'm curious to see what a newbie experience was with these materials.
A larger image gallery of NMC Symposium can be found here.
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