Casually gathered within a classroom at Sands Secondary in North Delta, a group of students, parents and teachers discuss what students really need to learn in school. The conversation flows naturally, with everyone having an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about education.
"The most powerful thing about EdCamp is that students, teachers and parents are all on the same level - everyone's voice matters and we are all here to learn together," said Aaron Akune, principal at Sands and an organizer of EdCamp Delta.
Now in its fifth year, EdCamp Delta is billed as an "unconference." A typical conference consists of a pre-determined line-up of sessions and speakers, with speakers usually lecturing to an audience. EdCamp, on the other hand, allows the attendees to determine and facilitate topics.
The day begins with attendees suggesting session topics and voting on them. From there, the most popular sessions are selected and a schedule for the day is created.
At this year's EdCamp Delta, which took place earlier this month, roughly 175 attendees narrowed down topics to 28 sessions, everything from collaboration and diversity to
environmental content and preparing students for the real world.
Within each session people shared and engaged in conversations aimed at deepening understanding of the topics. The goal is that via collaborative learning, ideas and best practices will develop and evolve.
"EdCamp is really empowering for our students. It provides a platform for student voice. Plus it connects our educators to students, to parents and to colleagues in way that enables meaningful professional growth," said Neil Stephenson, director of learning services for the Delta school district.
