Help Plan jokaydia’s Festival of Unconferency-ness!

Yes – its nearly that time! September is nearly here (!), its time to start planning our annual jokaydia Unconference – a weekend of fun, learning and sharing which will be happening from Friday 25th September – Sunday 27th September 2009 on the Islands of jokaydia in Second Life. Add the dates to your diary now!

The aim of our annual Unconference is to celebrate the year’s discoveries and achievements and to welcome SL residents both old and new to share their work. Last year’s event was fantastic  and brought together some amazing educators and community members… and I’m sure the 2009 event will be no different!

So what will happen at the Unconference?

That’s entirely up to the participants! I’ve created a framework for the event on the jokaydia Wikispace – you can access it here. There is a space for volunteers to add their contact details, a draft conference schedule where you can propose a session and a suggestion page where you can add notes or suggestions for the event.

Of course the topics for discussion and the focus of the event will be guided by the participants and could take many forms.  My hope is that it will combine a good mixture of formal sessions, open discussions, workshops and classes and opportunities for networking and socialising. We would also like to broaden the focus of the event to include education from k-corporate, arts and public education in virtual worlds… so the scope for sessions is varied and interesting!

Ideas for sessions could include:

• Give a presentation on a recent virtual worlds project or initiative
• Run a workshop which demonstrates a tool or strategy you’re using
• Lead a discussion on a hot topic or convene a panel session
• Introduce a 3D or Web 2.0 tool that you’re using
• Demonstrate a tool, script or environment you’ve created in Second Life
• Teach a building or scripting class and share your virtual worlds skills
• Create a roleplay or immersive activity for participants to visit during the unconference
• Run a newbie event for new residents
• Create an exhibit or display to share at the unconference
• Lead a tour of an outstanding project or location in Second Life
• Lead a tour of an outstanding project or location in Twinity, There, Active Worlds, Open Sim etc etc etc!

How to Get Involved! – Add Your Session or Suggestions to the Unconference Wiki pages

The jokaydia Unconference Wikispace Pages are designed to support collaboration and planning for the event and are open for all to edit. Please contribute your ideas and help us plan a better event!

Please also feel free to IM jokay Wollongong inworld, tweet @jokay or email jokay for further information.

Unconference 09 Headquarters!

The Unconference Headquarters has already been established and is located near the beach on jokaydia II! It will develop throughout the planning period and the unconference event and currently houses updates and information about the event, a suggestion box and draft schedule and various other resources. This space can also be used by teams and groups who are planning for the event as a meeting space; and will be used as the main coordination point during the event.

You can visit the jokaydia Unconference 09 Headquarters inworld on the Islands of jokaydia! (SLurl)

jokaydia Planning Sessions!

We’ll be holding a number of planning and information sessions over the few weeks, and I invite jokaydia community members to come along and  contribute to the planning and management of the upcoming Unconference and other events.

The first information/planning session will be held on Sunday 2nd August at our new cliff-side beach, where I have setup Unconference headquarters! Event details below.

jokaydia Unconference Planning Session 1

• Sydney Time: 3pm, 2nd August, 2009
• Second Life Time: 10pm, 1 August, 2009
• Location: jokaydia Beach (SLurl)
• Check your local time and date here!

These sessions will provide an opportunity for those who’d like to help to come along and volunteer, ask questions and propose ideas for the event.