At the start of the conference, after general introductions, participants have gotten up and are moving around the room in an ice-breaking activity. They are finding partners, connecting via their elbows, and introducing themselves by saying their name and a tip to stay healthy. People are now moving about the room, looking for a new partner and saying good morning with their eyes. Now they are sharing tips about finance.
There is lots of friendly noise and smiles all around.
The group has been brought back together. People are going around the room saying their names and the whole group is repeating it in unison. A nice strategy for affirmation and welcoming people.
WE LEARN is off and rolling!
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3 comments:
Sounds like a lively and lovely way to commence!
The opening session was a such a cool experience for me. What a great way to get to know a few people and gain a sense of community quickly!
A unique and wonderful feature of the WE LEARN conference is how they really walk the talk in terms of a holistic approach to creating a welcoming learning environment.
When I walked in, there was calming music playing, a participatory photography exhibit in progress, nice breakfast snacks (including yogurt and fresh fruit!), lovely affirmation cards on the tables, and a lot of art materials available for attendees. Me and some other women (the frustrated artists club?!) were immediately drawn to these and started decorating ourselves and our nametags with stuff like:
- ink stamps (fake tribal tattoo encircling my wrist)
- sparkly pipe cleaners (which became a headband)
-stickers (my nametag sports a rainbow heart, stars & moon, a purple smiley face, and a kitty cat)
Not to mention all the uplifting educational/inspirational toos displayed on the walls and the tables:
-The "Women Rulers" novelty ruler series https://www.richfrog.com/view_ret_cate.php?cate=29
-A spiritual literacy alphabet modeled on the "Alternative Alphabet" poster http://www.teachingforchange.org/store/alpha
-don Miguel Ruiz's "Voice of Knowledge" cards http://www.amazon.com/Voice-Knowledge-Cards-Miguel-Ruiz/dp/1401905307 (now also an iphone app, LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrdzJFoCfAc)
I can't overstate how much of a departure this is from most professional conferences, which do not even attempt to encourage learning through all senses and through multiple intelligences, let alone with the depth and thoughtfulness found here. In particular, I think that providing art supplies for people to express their creativity and create a personalized image to project for the day is a really welcoming way to start the day. And it acts as an icebreaker too, but without any pressure because people naturally start to talk, comment, and exchange ideas as they do art.
I would also like to add that this holistic theme was continued throughout the day in many ways, from the content of presentations to the community ritual created around the adult learners' author reading that ended the day.
Way to go, WE LEARN!!!
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