Kudos to the International Legal Technology Association! The organizers of the ILTA 2012 Conference are putting real effort into finding new ways of turning their already rich educational sessions into true interactive learning opportunities. That’s a big change from the presentation mode of three or four experts (with PowerPoint deck) that has been the standard fare at so many tech conferences. The new interactive sessions will begin and end with the participants. Yes, participants, not audience. The focus will be on ensuring that the participants engage in something useful during the session, and then leave with something actionable.
This is about a creative and pragmatic educational experience.
The challenges of these types of sessions should not be underestimated. They take a lot of thought and planning on the part of the organizers. And they require very special moderating and listening skills on the part of the session facilitators. Above all, they depend upon attendees who are interested in being part of the learning rather than simply being on the receiving end of an information transfer. Admittedly, these sessions won’t be to everyone’s taste, and that’s just fine. ILTA 2012 will also have sessions in the more traditional format.
For those of you who really believe in the power of PowerPoint to reach an audience, I offer the following demonstration by Don McMillan entitled Life After Death by PowerPoint:
httpv://youtu.be/KbSPPFYxx3o
All joking aside, if you’re ready for life AFTER death by PowerPoint, be sure to look for the interactive sessions at ILTA 2012. And then, participate!
Above and Beyond KM 