{{Short description|Participant-driven conference}} An '''EdCamp''' is a participant-driven conference – commonly referred to as an "unconference". ''EdCamps'' are designed to provide participant-driven professional development for K-12 educators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edcampfoundation.org/|title=Vision and mission|date=|publisher=The edcamp foundation|accessdate=9 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819034716/http://edcampfoundation.org/|archive-date=19 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''EdCamps'' are modeled after BarCamps, free participant-driven conferences with a primary focus on technology and computers. Educational technology is a common topic area for EdCamps, as are pedagogy, practical examples in instructional use of modern tools, and solving the problems technology can introduce into the classroom environment.
''EdCamps'' are generally free or very low-cost, built around ''ad hoc'' community participation. Sessions are not planned until the day of the event, when participants can volunteer to facilitate a conversation on a topic of their choice or simply choose an idea they are interested in learning more about.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edutopia.org/blog/about-edcamp-unconference-history|title=Introduction to Edcamp: A New Conference Model Built on Collaboration|date=September 29, 2010|publisher=Edutopia|accessdate=9 August 2012}}</ref> Edcamps operate "without keynote speakers or vendor booths, encourage participants to find or lead a conversation that meet their needs and interests."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.courant.com/2012/08/07/ethel-walker-to-host-edcamp-conference-friday/|title=Ethel Walker To Host 'EdCamp' Conference Friday|date=August 7, 2012|work=Hartford Courant|access-date=9 August 2012|archive-date=2014-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725153710/http://articles.courant.com/2012-08-07/community/hc-simsbury-ed-camp-20120806_1_educators-ethel-walker-participants|url-status=live}}</ref>
The first edcamp was held in May 2010 in Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edcampphilly.org|title=Edcamp Philly Page}}</ref> The first ''EdCamp'' participant was [http://twitter.com/andycinek Andrew Marcinek]. Since that time, there have been over [http://edcamp.wikispaces.com/complete+edcamp+calendar 1,000 edcamp events] held throughout the world. The [http://www.edcamp.org Edcamp Foundation] was formed in December 2011 to help teachers and other stakeholders who organize edcamps. The vision of the EdCamp Foundation is to "promote organic, participant-driven professional development for K-12 educators worldwide." The EdCamp Foundation is still located in Conshohocken, PA. The Foundation has implemented a variety of programs to help participants and organizers get the most out of EdCamp like Impact Grants, EdCamp-In-A-Box, and the Urban Initiative.
The first EdCamps that were held in languages other than English were '''EdCamp Stockholm''' on October 31, 2011 (in Swedish) and [http://edcamp.wikispaces.com/edcamp+Montréal EdCamp Montreal] on November 1, 2011 (in French). There has also been International EdCamps in Spain, China, Indonesia, Canada, and more.
==Gallery== === EdCamp-2016 in Kharkiv, Ukraine === {{see also|EdCamp Ukraine}} <gallery> EdCamp 2016 Kharkiv DSCN6617.JPG|Apple, a symbol of EdCamp EdCamp Kharkiv 2016 DSCN6602 10.JPG|Filling out questionnaires EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, відкриття DSCN6623 08.JPG|Opening of EdCamp-2016, on a stage is Maryna Paschenko EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, відкриття DSCN6623 23.JPG|The participants on opening EdCamp Kharkiv 2016 Вікіпедія DSCN6680 01.JPG|Presentation of Ukrainian Wikipedia EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, Інтел, розумний дім DSCN6806 03.JPG|Intel, smart home EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, заключний день, організатори DSCN6808 01.JPG|The organizers (Olexander Elkin and Maryna Paschenko) with participants EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, гала-вечеря, розважальна програма DSCN6716 04.JPG|Gala dinner and entertainment program EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, гала-вечеря, розважальна програма DSCN6716 07.JPG|Gifts for children EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, заключний день, арт-скрайбінг, переможиця.JPG|Art-scribing, winner EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, стенд з логотипами DSCN6616 02.JPG|Stand with logos EdCamp Kharkiv 2016 сніданок, булочки DSCN6598 01.JPG|Very tasty breakfast EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, учасники DSCN6693 06.JPG|One of the participants EdCamp Kharkiv, спідгікінг 2016 DSCN6752 13.JPG|Speed geeking EdCamp Kharkiv, спідгікінг куди 2016 DSCN6752 15.JPG|Speed geeking - where to go? EdCamp Kharkiv, спідгікінг 2016 DSCN6752 14.JPG|Speed geeking - the speakears EdCamp Kharkiv, спідгікінг 2016 DSCN6752 12.JPG|Speed geeking - continuation in the hall EdCamp Kharkiv 2016, заключний день DSCN6808 04.JPG|Art-scribing in the last day </gallery>
=== mini-EdCamp-2016 in Cherkasy, Ukraine === <gallery> EdCampCherkasy2016-12.jpg|Logoes of EdCamp and Wikipedia EdCampCherkasy2016-9.jpg|Handouts EdCampCherkasy2016-1.jpg|During the events </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://edcamp.org The EdCamp Foundation] *[http://www.edcampgigcity.com/ EdCampGigCity] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110515221214/http://edcampct.org/ EdCamp Connecticut]}}
==Further reading== * [http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may14/vol71/num08/Edcamp@-Teachers-Take-Back-Professional-Development.aspx Edcamp: Teachers Take Back Professional Development] * [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0742051X16300427 Edcamp unconferences: Educators' perspectives on an untraditional professional learning experience] * [https://www.edsurge.com/news/2013-09-25-breaking-the-rules-of-professional-development How EdCamps Break the Rules of Professional Development] * [https://www.edutopia.org/blog/why-edcamp-kristen-swanson Why Edcamp?] * [https://www.wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2017/dec/education-students-put-edcamp-model-of-professional-development-to-the-test.html Education students put ‘edcamp’ model of professional development to the test]
{{Unconference}}
Category:Unconferences Category:Teacher training