It’s on again! The jokaydia Festival of Unconferency-ness 2011 starts this weekend and continues for the next 5 weeks … and you’re invited!

As many of our residents already know, jokaydia traditionally holds an unconference in May to celebrate our community’s work and achievements. This year, we’ve decided to go even bigger(!) by holding not just a weekend of events – starting this week, we’ll be hosting Unconferences over 5 weeks!

And remember – Unconferences are all about PARTICIPATION! We need you to help make this a great event!

WHAT?

The jokaydia Festival of Unconferency-ness 2011 will be occuring from 29 May 2011 – 26 June 2011, with a range of events taking place across our spaces at jokaydiaGRID, the Islands of jokaydia in Second Life, World of Warcraft and jokaydia’s Minecraft!

The aim of the events is to encourage community and collaboration amongst jokaydia Community Members, and to share and showcase great uses of virtual worlds for education, business and the arts.

Join us to participate in a range of events including exploring jokaydiaGRID spaces, adventuring on the hypergrid, workshops and presentations on a range of projects, explorations, games and community activities.

For further information about the draft schedule of events check out the Festival of Unconferency-ness 2011 pages on the jokaydia Community Wiki.

 

WHEN?

This year the Unconference is running over several days per week for 5 weeks as follows:

 

[list type=”green”] [li]Day 1: Sunday 29 May, 2:00pm – 5:00pm (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [li]Day 2: Wednesday 1 June, 8pm – 10pm (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [li]Day 3: Friday 3 June, 8:00pm – 12:15am (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [li]Day 4: Saturday 4 June, 2:30pm – 9:30pm (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [li]Day 5: Thursday 9 June, 8:00pm – 12:00am (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [li]Day 6: Saturday 11 June, 8:00am – 2:00pm (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [li]Day 7: Saturday 18 June, 9:00am – 5:00pm (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [li]Day 8: Sunday 19 June, 6:00pm – 10:00pm (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [li]Day 9: Sunday 26 June , 9:00am – 4:00pm  (Sydney Time, Check your local time here!)[/li] [/list]

 

We have tried to spread across different time zones as much as possible to cater for our international community, however if you would like to facilitate a session outside these times, please feel free to contact Jokay Wollongong for further information!

 

WHERE?

The Unconference will primarily be occuring at jokaydiaGRID. However we will also be visiting jokaydia’s Minecraft, World of Warcraft and any other places and spaces proposed by our participants!

Please ensure that you have checked the Unconference Wiki pages for information on the sessions and any technology you will need to attend.

 

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

This year we’d like to encourage participants to focus on virtual worlds and games and how they can be used to save the world! Are you doing something in virtual worlds or games that is making a difference in your school, community or company? We’d love to hear from you!

Ideas for sessions could include:

 

[list type=”green”] [li]Give a presentation on recent virtual worlds project or initiative[/li] [li]Take us on a tour of your virtual world – we’d love to visit other places and spaces[/li] [li]Run a workshop which demonstrates a tool or strategy you’re using[/li] [li]Lead a discussion on a hot topic or convene a panel session[/li] [li]Teach a building or scripting class and share your virtual worlds skills[/li] [li]Create a roleplay or immersive activity for participants to visit during the unconference[/li] [li]Run a newbie event for new resident[/li] [li]Create an exhibit or display to share at the unconference[/li] [/list]

 

…..or whatever crazy virtual scheme that you’ve come up with! We’ll provide you with a venue for your proposed session and of course lots of support during the big event!

This is a great opportunity to share new work, get some feedback from an enthusiastic audience or practice your virtual worlds facilitation skills!

 

HOW TO PROPOSE A SESSION

To propose a session, simply visit the 2011 Festival of Unconferency-ness Wiki pages and add your details to the Draft Schedule. You can choose a 30 or 60min session, or propose something completely different!

Please ensure that you include:

[list type=”green”] [li]A title and short overview of your proposed session[/li] [li]The names of facilitators who will be involved in the session and their contact details[/li] [li]If you are taking participants on a tour of your own grid, or another platform please ensure that you include clear instructions on how to attend and any technical requirements or software to be installed. [/li] [/list]

 

FIND OUT MORE!

To find out more about the conference check out the Festival of Unconferency-ness 2011 pages on the jokaydia Community Wiki or follow the event via Twitter – we’ll be hashtagging with #jokaydiaunconf!

 

TWEET THE EVENT

Help us to spread the word about the conference by tweeting with the Festival of Unconferency-ness hashtag which is: #jokaydiaunconf!