1. Kenley Neufeld Santa Barbara City College
Can “unconferences” improve online pedagogy? A case study from Santa Barbara City College
Kenley Neufeld
Santa Barbara City College

2. What is an Unconference?
An unconference is an alternative to a traditional conference that foregrounds informal, collaborative, participant-generated exchanges of information. Benefits include peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, content directly relevant to participant interests, and affordability.

3. 2. Online Education Our students Professional Development
Unconference Goals

4. Over one million students in California
Challenge
However there remains an achievement gap between students enrolled in online courses versus students enrolled in face-to-face courses, with an even larger gap for minority groups.
Are enrolled in online
courses

5. The unconference model, compliments the OEI efforts.
(course design rubric, mentoring models)
Tip
Unconferences are structured around the areas of interest of the participants rather than those of the conference organizers, with participants voting for topics in advance.

6. Increasing STUDENT SUCCESS and reducing the ACHIEVEMENT GAP through improved ONLINE PEDAGOGY was our broad goal. PD
All educators in the California Community College system are required by the California Education Code to participate in professional development activities to improve the competence of educators.

7. The Unconference What Location. Funding. Planning.
Pedagogy to Increase Student Success: An Unconference for Online Educators
What Location. Funding. Planning.
Who Participants. Facilitators. Keynote.

8. What. Small grant from President’s Office. Small team of three
Outreach and promotion
Stats
Cost was $4100
88 registrations
49% adjunct
Mostly SoCal

9. Topics. • Factors contributing to student success in online learning
• OEI Course Design Rubric
• Humanizing the online learning environment
• Facilitating effective online group work

10. Topics. • Facilitating deep personal interactions
• Promoting active online learning
• Diversity in the online classroom
• The future of online education in the CC system
• Supporting student persistence in online courses

11. 3. Feedback Survey results Unconference goal Improvements/Assessment
Overall positive response from participants
Survey results
Unconference goal
Improvements/Assessment

12. Let’s talk about your questions and experience.

13. Thank you!
We hope you found this discussion useful and that you may consider offering an unconference at your campus in the future.
To see our Unconference website, go to onlineducatorsunconference.wordpress.com
Kenley Neufeld