An EdCamp Virgin Prepares for EdCamp Atlanta

I am an EdCamp virgin.

I have heard about EdCamps on Twitter and blogs that I follow, but I have never attended before. I have heard nothing but positive experiences from those that have attended or organized an edcamp, so you can understand my excitement when I found out about EdCamp Atlanta. 

The unscheduled nature of an edcamp is both intriguing and unsettling to me. I am an organization freak. I love to look through the sessions offered at a conference as soon as the program is released. Mapping out my day is part of the fun for me. So I'll admit to a little anxiety. What if I wander around aimlessly? What if I find myself in a session that doesn't fit me? Will I have anything to contribute that the other attendees might find helpful? I am not completely sure about how everything works. Will I figure it out quickly enough to make the day worthwhile?


Despite my ignorance I am counting down the days. When I attend traditional conferences I enjoy the sessions, but most importantly I enjoy time to meet and talk with other passionate educators. Sometimes I leave with more ideas and inspiration from those stolen moments than from the scheduled speakers. I believe the edcamps capitalize on this phenomenon. 


I have high hopes for my first edcamp and I know that there is a hard working group of people busy getting ready for the event. I look forward to meeting other teachers and librarians in my area. I hope to share some of the tips, lessons, and ideas that have worked for me and I know that I will leave with many new strategies to try. 
Any tips for an edcamp virgin? Any other newbies out there?

Tamara Cox, the Eliterate Librarian, is a self-proclaimed "wannabe edtech geek" and middle school librarian in South Carolina. You can often find her with a computer in her lap and a book in her hand. She loves to integrate technology into education and help those that are nervous about taking the tech plunge.

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