Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to thank all those who were a part of the Public Pedagogies Institute conference: Turning Learning Inside Out—Learning and Teaching Beyond the Classroom. We had around 80 people attend on both days and the feedback I received from participants was incredibly positive. What amazed the organising committee was who the conference theme spoke to.
I think the reach of the conference theme was reflected in the diversity of presentations. I observed many connections being made over coffee and at lunch and I hope these keep growing. If you didn’t present at this year’s conference, I hope you will consider doing so next year.
I would like to thank our international keynote speaker Jennifer Sandlin from Arizona State University. I would also like to thank our other keynote speaker Jane Smith the Director of M.A.D.E. We recorded each of the keynotes and an edited version of these presentations will be available on the website early next year.
The outcomes from the conference include the formation of three sub committees promoting the Institute through project work, setting up a journal, and of course a committee to work on next year’s conference. For those of you who put your name down to work in these sub committees we will be in touch in the New Year. The Public Pedagogies Institute constitution was also ratified.
Below is a comment we received in response to the conference that we think captures the experience well:
It was wonderful to be part of the conversation. It was great to have such a range of people around the table and engaged in such enthusiastic dialogue. It’s funny that silence that exists around our work, yet it is a very sophisticated and empowering practice, happening everywhere!
My colleague commented that the conference was one of the best PD’s she has been to. So congratulations to the organising group. We’d certainly like to keep being involved.
Public Pedagogies Institute meets monthly at VU Metro West,
138 Nicholson Street, Footscray. Our first meeting for 2016 will be the 8th of February at 10.00 – 11.30am.
Karen Charman
President, Public Pedagogies Institute
