[27159] in resnet
Re: PDS ideas for ResNet STC 2012 at Claremont Colleges
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Kevin Guidry)
Fri Jan 13 14:23:05 2012
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Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:22:55 -0500
Reply-To: Resnet Forum <RESNET-L@listserv.nd.edu>
From: Kevin Guidry <krguidry@gmail.com>
To: RESNET-L@listserv.nd.edu
In-Reply-To: <9AB718B26B193C488AFD0B9F7BE973020374FD8DD744@POSTOFFICE.campus.pomona.edu>
(Replying publicly because - well, why not? Maybe others can add to
the conversation.)
It might be worth thinking about one or two PDS sessions aimed
specifically at people on the far ends of the experience spectrum, the
very new and the very experienced (note: I didn't call them old!).
First, having one or two sessions specifically aimed at these groups
ensures there is content relevant and attractive to them. As I
understand the history of the conference, an understanding that
matches my own experiences, a little over a decade ago there was a
concerted effort to move sessions aimed at very new attendees into the
preconference to (a) make the conference sessions more open and
applicable to everyone and (b) bring the new attendees up-to-speed
quickly so they can more out of the conference. Those still seem like
they're good objectives.
Second, these sessions may help increase the number of attendees. I
am speculating a bit but the historical move to a dedicated newbie PDS
seems to have had the effect of making the conference (a) welcoming to
new attendees and (b) an attractive place for institutions to send new
hires (in my first ResNet position, I was sent to the conference days
after being hired as my hire was specifically timed to get me to the
newcomer preconference session as I was beginning the job). I can't
help but wonder if a session or two aimed specifically at more senior
professionals could have the same effect on that demographic.
Explicit, public efforts to make the organization and its conference
more open to new members would be good and are necessary for their
continued health.
I'm not up-to-speed with the current needs and makeup of ResNet
members so maybe you'll read this and delete it without having lost
anything. These are just some thoughts from someone who has moved on
but still enjoys observing from the sidelines.
Kevin
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