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How To Make The Annual Conference |
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Too much to learn and see in too little time? Conference veterans offer practical advice on time management, session selection, networking, and other essentials for a productive meeting |
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By Andrea Gabrick |
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Countless technical sessions, luncheons, workshops, business meetings, and social events give you the opportunity to learn about the latest software, textbooks, and
innovative teaching techniques. They also provide a great forum for sharing ideas and making important professional contacts. But with so many options, it's easy to become
overwhelmed. The following wise words from a few of ASEE's seasoned conference veterans should help keep you on track. |
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With the dizzying array of scheduled events and activities, it's hard to decide what to do with your time in Charlotte. Regular attendees say that careful planning before you leave home can make for smooth sailing when you arrive. New for this year's conference, sessions are grouped around specific topics: ABET's Engineering Criteria 2000, assessment, communications, curriculum, distance education, diversity, educational methods, industrial partnerships, international/global affairs, K-12, professional development, retention, Web technology, and other/potpourri. The sessions under each topic will be noted in the final program. You can also use WEBMAT ( www.asee.org/annual99 ), the conference's online program planning matrix, to search for sessions by topic, as well as by sponsoring division, day and time, author, title, and meeting type.Shirley Pomeranz, a math associate professor at the University of Tulsa, suggests looking over the technical session and exhibit descriptions, and the list of speakers and paper presentations, to decide in advance which to attend. She also recommends finding out if colleagues and friends from other universities are planning to attend, and suggests that you "call or e-mail them in advance to arrange mutually convenient times to meet-to avoid hassles later and make it easier to connect at the conference." Lyle Feisel, dean of engineering and applied science at SUNY-Binghamton and most immediate past president of ASEE, recommends using the divisional listings to pick which sessions to attend. He suggests that you "get to a couple of ERM [educational research and methods] sessions," and advises going to a few divisional sessions as well. Which ones? "Go to the sessions in the larger rooms," he says. "There is a reason that someone thought they needed the extra space." Budget Your Time Scanning the lists of workshops and technical sessions might seem like standing in front of a buffet-so many choices to whet your appetite, but not enough room for everything. In this case, it's best to heed "Feisel's Rule of the Smorgasbord: eat a variety, but don't try to sample everything." He suggests: "Pick three or four themes and go to a couple of events in each." Eleanor Baum, engineering dean at The Cooper Union and former ASEE president, feels that going to sessions and the Expo are important because they present new ways to teach and showcase new technology, but admits that "it's easy to be overambitious." She stresses that you "leave time to digest" and remember that you won't have time to do everything. Echoing Baum's sentiments, Pomeranz says "I don't set too strict a time schedule." She schedules time for the division technical sessions that are of interest, luncheon business meetings, and the exhibits, but says that the conference "works best if I leave myself open time slots and keep things flexible." Should you schedule something for every time slot? "Yes," Feisel says "but the something might be a cup of coffee at the hospitality center." He also recommends not spending all of your time attending sessions-"it's generally too passive." Pomeranz concurs. "I can only sit through so many talks," she explains, "For me what works best is to have fun while I am networking, sharing information, and learning new ways to teach-and these are not mutually exclusive things."
Though official conference activities aren't slated to start until Sunday, it might be easier on your pocketbook and your state of mind to arrive on Saturday. "I've gotten into the practice of flying into the host city on Saturday, in order to get a cheaper airline ticket," Pomeranz says. "This also gives me some time to explore the host city, polish up my presentation, etc." Feisel agrees. "I like to get there on Saturday. Cheap air fares for one, but you also need to be settled in time for the picnic."
More than an opportunity to broaden your academic and professional horizons, and much more than a vacation, the annual conference is a forum for networking. "The most important thing is the people you meet," Feisel says. "Most of the information you pick up at the sessions can be gotten by reading; what you want out of the sessions is the chance to talk with the author and people of like interests who are seeking answers to the same questions you are." "Walk around and be friendly," stresses Baum, "go to the events and talk to people." Pomeranz adds, "Give a talk; let others know your areas of interest and expertise, share your ideas. What can be a better way to get involved with others?" Feisel also recommends volunteering for a committee and attending meal events of your division. Networking opportunities constantly present themselves, so it's important to be prepared. "Carry enough of your own business cards," says Pomeranz. "And make sure you have them on you. I often ask someone if he or she has a business card and they often reply 'yes, but they are at the hotel.'" She also suggests that you wear your name tag to all meetings, including social events. Baum explains that planned social events are also a great way to network. "Luncheons, the picnic, the awards dinner-they're wonderful for making new friends and meeting old ones," she says. Don't know anyone? "It took me quite a while to figure this out," says Feisel, "but believe it or not, you're not the only person who doesn't know anyone. Go to a social event and look for someone else who is standing alone and go introduce yourself." And although ASEE members are usually friendly and welcoming, Feisel recommends that you "be a little cautious. Heed Feisel's Rule of Self-Introduction: Make new acquaintances standing up. If it turns out that you don't have anything in common, it's a lot easier to walk away if you're not sitting down." New to the conference this year is an orientation for new members and first-time attendees to be held on Sunday, June 20. The session will give an overview of the conference and ASEE as an organization, with information about how the society works and tips on getting involved. For more information, contact the Conferences department at (202) 331-3530. The Party's Over...But Not For Long If you're out of business cards and have bags and bags of brochures about the latest products, it probably means that the conference is over. Now you have to use what
you've learned. "Share information with colleagues in your department," Pomeranz advises. "This can be done informally or via department talks. Often I will tell
colleagues in advance that I am going and they will ask me to check out certain sessions or look for specific information." Food for Thought The object of the game is to meet people. Whether they're new friends or old ones, the important thing is to share ideas and information. Visit the Expo
Don't miss the Society-Wide Picnic Stick around for the Annual Awards Reception and Banquet Consider your students Think about next year Relax and have fun Andrea Gabrick is PRISM's editorial assistant. |
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