Frequently Asked Questions

For Attendees:

The fact that the conference is virtual does mean there will be some differences you should be aware of:

Networking takes that little bit more effort as you don’t have the chance to grab speakers for a chat in the corridor after their presentation, or talk to other attendees during breaks. There will be some informal areas to gather and interact with other attendees online, but you will need to actively participate in these spaces in order to make the most of them.
Attendees are based in different time zones and may only attend part of the day.
You can drop in and out of the conference alongside your regular work, but the flip side of this is that office distractions may impact your experience.

As with any conference, a little preparation will help you make the most of your attendance.

Browse the schedule in advance and note down sessions that you’d like to attend.
Make the most of any opportunities to socialize - this is how you introduce yourself to other members of the Sakai community, and make connections.
Make sure that you note down contact details for presenters you’d like to contact, and follow up by email.
Ensure you’re in a space with minimal distractions and good internet connection.
Use a good headset and microphone. Especially helpful if presenting, but also if you want to participate in discussions.
Be sure to mute your microphone when you are not speaking!

Yes, they are recorded and are uploaded to a playlist in Youtube on the Sakai channel.
This means, by the way, that enunciating, having a good microphone and eliminating background noise are all important.

The Sakai community is interested in what you are working on! Sharing what you are doing, what’s working, and even what isn’t working, can be beneficial.
Remember when you learned something new in Sakai? There is someone else, right now, who wants to know what you have already learned. Give their work a boost by sharing your experiences!

Naturally we’re all interested in the latest Sakai innovations, but the Sakai community also loves to learn how other people are using their favorite tools to engage students and make life easier for staff.

Presentations can be on pedagogical topics, showcase demonstrations, interactive discussions, technical topics, and more.

Your best opportunity to influence the topics this year is to submit a proposal yourself, and to encourage your colleagues to do the same!
Who do you know who’s doing something interesting with Sakai? Who has influenced your own use of Sakai, or your ideas about what is possible? Who would you like to hear from at this year’s virtual conference?!
If you’d like to help shape the next Sakai Virtual Conference, why not join the conference committee? You can take as active or focused role as you like - all contributions are valued.

If you’re not sure whether your idea is worth turning into a proposal, you can contact the SVC conference planning committee for feedback.

Use a good headset and microphone. Especially helpful if presenting, but also if you want to participate in discussions.
Double-check your internet connection; prepare for technical issues (have a backup plan if presenting materials “live”) .
Practice with your session moderator, with your presentation materials (and co-presenter, if applicable).