THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES SCHOOLS OF EDUCATION BIENNIAL CONFERENCE 2017 – SESSION FORMATS

The 2017 Biennial conference offers delegates an opportunity to attend and participate in several types of sessions, each with a specific format. Below you will find a brief description of what you can expect in each session type.

1. Directors’ Forum 

   The purpose of this session is to highlight the direction of the work of the Schools of Education as they seek to impact education in their individual territories and be responsive to the future imperatives of the region’s education sector. This session also sets out to consolidate the purpose and direction of the conference with particular emphasis on the theme - Envisioning Future Education: Cross-Disciplinary Synergy, Imperatives and Perspectives. This session is a plenary so there will be no concurrent sessions scheduled during the Directors’ Forum

2. Keynote Address

   Keynote speaker sessions feature leading and senior researchers widely recognized for their expertise in a particular field. The session lasts for 60 minutes and generally allows time at the end for questions from the audience. Invited speakers sessions are plenary i.e. they are designed to interest all conference delegates and are not scheduled as parallel sessions. 

3. Panel Discussions

   The purpose of a panel is to engage a group of experts in a cohesive conversation around a broad topic of interest or issue. Each panelist speaks to an aspect of the topic or presents a specific perspective on the issue. Panel presentations are structured sessions with a set time for each panelist to speak, which is determined by the Chair. Sessions begin with an introduction and/or contextual presentation from the chair, followed by other panelist presentations. The session will include time for extensive Q&A, discussion and dialogue (20 minutes or longer) either at specific points throughout the session or at the end to allow for audience participation and inquiries. The chair is responsible for managing the discussion among panelists and with the audience.

4. Paper Presentation

   The paper presentation is usually one of the more popular formats used to share research findings in a conference setting. Paper presentations present research findings that have direct relevance to the theme of the conference; the results of the studies can be at a preliminary or completed stage but ready to be shared with the audience. Each session consists of three or four papers with one Session Chair who handles introductions, time keeping, and guides the conduct of the session. Paper sessions are scheduled in 90-minute time blocks such that each presenter speaks for 20 minutes and there is a 10-minute period for Q&A during which the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification in response to presentations.

5. Plenary

   Plenary sessions have been organized to allow for focused discussion from selected individuals and groups in which they share their perspectives, concerns and ideas related to the education process with a particular focus on how we might chart the way forward in the region. There will be no concurrent sessions scheduled during the Plenaries.

6. Poster

   Several poster sessions will be organized to give participants opportunities to present individual papers.  Poster sessions will be 60-90 minutes long.  At each poster session, many authors simultaneously present their papers, primarily in a visual medium, with key excerpts from the papers displayed on large poster boards displayed on easels. The audience circulates among posters and stops to discuss papers of particular interest with the authors.  Papers submitted for poster presentation must be prepared according to instructions provided in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition.  Ideally, posters should be printed on a single 30" X 24" sheet in landscape or portrait orientation.  Board for mounting the posters and easels will be supplied by the conference organisers.  For guidelines on how to make the most of your content for a poster session, please go to http://www.web.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/623527/Preparing_y...

   Please note that no audiovisual equipment or electricity will be available for Poster Sessions.

7. Professional Learning Conversation

   The purpose of a professional learning conversation is to have a focused and moderated discussion on a topic or issues of interest to the participants. It is expected that the moderator of a professional learning conversation session will introduce and define the topic of conversation and have prepared questions for session participants to explore. At the Biennial Conference these converations will be school- based conversations  among principals and teachers who have been selected because they are leading change in innovative ways and utilising creative and unique approaches in their leadership, teaching and learning activities

8. Roundtable

   The roundtable discussions are more suited for research studies which are still at a developmental stage or work in progress which would benefit from input by persons who have knowledge of the area of research and can make a contribution to the how the study should proceed. The presentation is more informal, intimate and flexible than a paper presentation and interaction between participants and presenters and among the participants themselves is encouraged. Roundtable presentations are held in large rooms that allow several of these sessions to be conducted at the same time; participants are seated in a circle around tables that can accommodate up to 10 persons. Each presenter is allotted 20 minutes for presentation and discussion, and each table can facilitate up to four related presentations. Presenters may wish to prepare handouts or other material to distribute during the presentation. There will be a moderator assigned to each table who will serve as a host to oversee the smooth running of the discussion. Please note that no audiovisual equipment or electricity will be available for Roundtables.

9. Workshop

    Workshops at the Biennial Conference 2017 will be interactive teaching and learning sessions in which the participants will be actively engaged in learning about a particular skill or approach to doing some activity.

10. Youth forum

    The two-hour Youth Forum highlights views and experiences of Jamaica’s youth with respect to the future of education. It provides an opportunity for a panel of high school students to participate in a conversation or give their views on what the future of education should look like. Youth from various backgrounds with different professional interests and at various stages of their development will share insights on their own journey and offer suggestions for consideration by policy makers and education practitioners. In addition, youth drawn from secondary, post secondary and tertiary institutions in Western Jamaica and in the audience, will be encouraged to raise questions and make recommendations in an open mic session following the panel presentations. A moderator will facilitate the Youth Forum.