Drawing from our Collective Wisdom

No.  We have intentionally planned for this experience to be active and engaging, knowing that sociality is a key component of how we as humans learn.  With this in mind, this will not be the typical “sit n’ get” passive conference.  There will not be a keynote speaker. You and your wisdom and experiences will serve as the information being shared at this conference.  You are an important part of making this gathering a success. 

The Round Table format is designed to engage you, as a participant, in a research and experience-based dialogue around a common question for the purpose of collaborative problem posing and problem solving.  The goal is to raise issues, struggles, and collectively explore potential strategies to implement into practice, to continue research, and find potential areas of collaboration and growth.  Within this format, participants engage in a skillfully facilitated conversation based on ideas and personal experiences centered around a common question (session title). All participants will give and gain insights into deeper questions, issues, and possibilities in hopes to create potential strategies that may be helpful to the teaching and learning practice. 

It will be totally up to you!  Your choice! There will be two different round table breakout sessions throughout the morning.  Each session you will get to choose from 3-5 different topic questions.  Session topics will be posted as soon as they are available on our CELT website and on the day. There is no session selection registration. It will be your choice on the day of the event.  Each session will be 50 minutes long and will follow this round table dialog structure:

• Opening Ritual: First 5 minutes Facilitator will engage all in a welcoming way to invite all voices into the session. 

• Dialogue (Engaging Practices): Next 30-40 minutes During the next 30-40 minutes of the session, facilitator will collectively engage all in a problem-posing and problem-solving dialogue.
  • This dialog will focus on the collective and collaborative insights related to the session title question, its main concepts, as well as possible strategies you could implement in your setting.  
  • Monitor your own participation, keeping the lens of the conversation focused on a “we” not “me” approach.   
  • Invite input from others who are not involved in the discussion by asking them where they are experiencing related questions, struggles, or insights.
  • Help maintain a problem-posing and problem-solving focus through exchange of ideas.

We know that learning is a social process.  Your role as a participant is to contribute to the dialogue focused on exploring questions, providing your experiences and strategies, and frame fruitful questions for collective understanding.   It is important that all participants: 

• dialogue by paraphrasing and posing questions to one another.  This dialog will focus on the collective and collaborative insights related to the session topic question as well as possible strategies that can be implemented.  
• reference outside research related to the topic. 
• monitor your own participation, keeping the lens of the conversation focused on a “we” not “me” approach.  
• employ the Lasallian virtue of RESERVE if you tend to talk a lot and lean into the virtue of GENEROSITY if you find yourself to be less likely to share.  Your voice is important. 
• invite input from others who are not involved in the discussion by asking them where they are experiencing related questions, struggles, or insights.
• help maintain a problem-posing and problem-solving focus through exchange of ideas.

Simply put, your role will be to assist the quality of thinking of others during the dialogue. It is common and actually considered a successful round table if participants leave with more questions than they have answered.

It is our hope that this unique conference provides you with the connection, motivation, and inspiration to want to continue your learning beyond this day on a topic of your choosing. As you attend each of your breakout sessions and engage in dialog with others, we challenge you to find a topic you would like to explore more in-depth or find a group of people that you would find helpful to support your development journey.  During a session, you may discover others who have similar interests or are just people you would love to interact with more. At the end of the day we will provide time to connect and make a plan for further exploration where you could:

• Choose a book and start a book club (CELT is willing to purchase books and provide a book club structure as guidance for your group)
• Set a schedule to meet as often or as little as you like to keep the learning going.
• Determine a plan for continued exploration of the topic (gathering/sharing research-based resources, setting times to meet, reaching out to the CELT for support, etc)
• Create an accountability group to support and encourage one another to apply your new learning 

Yes! Your engagement is important.  This is why the “Law of two feet” encourages you as a participant to find a session that meets your needs: It is critical that you actively self-select the best content and sessions for you. At anytime, it is OKAY to you leave a breakout room that does not meet your needs, no judgements.  No questions asked. Simply return to the main Zoom room and you will be assisted in entering anouther room.