the 2011 Northwest Regional AEE Conference
Oregon 4-H Education and Conference Center, Salem, Oregon
The theme of the conference is "Challenge! Risk is Learning.” The one certainty in our lives is challenge. Maybe it’s taking the first step off a high rappel, confronting the civility and respect in the classroom, beginning to work with a new group or taking something you can do with your eyes closed and turning it upside down. We must risk not doing it right at first in order to continue to stretch beyond our limits and improve on our capabilities. Whatever the challenge our body tenses, doubts assail us and we stress over the process and the possible outcomes. How we choose to confront these situations is what makes all the difference. Experiential educators know that to learn is to venture beyond what we know by stepping out of our comfort zone. The process of “Do-Reflect-Apply” will serve us well.
This conference will assist participants to assemble, investigate and refine tools and techniques they can use when facing future risks and challenges. First we want you to take the challenge and submit a workshop proposal.
Submission guidelines:
Ø Program title and a 300 word or less description of the workshop; indicating strand, presentation style indicating % of lecture, participation, co-facilitation and workshop objectives.
Ø Program title and a 50 word or less abstract as it will appear in Conference published materials.
Ø Biographical sketch of presenters and contact information, include whether you have presented at AEE in the past, regional or International and when.
Ø Minimum and maximum number of participants.
Ø Recommended audience profile.
Ø Length of workshop; 1.5 hrs or 3 hours.
Ø Would you be willing to present more than once.
SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL ONLINE HERE
Have your documents ready to paste in so that the site won't time out.
The NW region offers 90 minute and 3 hour workshop lengths. Some of the selections in the dropdown may not apply to this region because some files are shared with files used by other regions.
Deadline for submissions: January 15, 2011
Workshops: TBA
Purpose:
Workshops are a core component of the conference. Workshops address AEE's mission to further the development and practice of experiential learning. They provide attendees with opportunities to share information, learn skills and stimulate new thinking. AEE conferences will use the established “strands” which include:
Strands:
"ADVENTURE-BASED PROGRAMMING: techniques and models used by practitioners to foster learning and growth in wilderness and adventure-based programs, environmental or outdoor education, or organized camping. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, challenge course building/design, universal programming/design, initiatives and trust-building activities, climbing, boating, expeditions, nature studies, low-impact camping, and wilderness medicine.
"AEE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: annual workshops designed for AEE current and potential leaders and presenters. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, newbie orientation, how to write a proposal, presenter development process, regional or professional group leader training or development, board and committee development, how to put on an AEE conference or event, General Membership meeting, and AEE Accreditation or Publications trainings or meetings.
"EXPERIENCED BASED TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: techniques and theories to facilitate growth and development of and within organizations. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, team building, leadership development, assessing clients' needs, program design and evaluation, facilitating strategic planning, visioning, business transformation, and systems thinking.
"FACILITATION/PROCESSING: cross-disciplinary techniques, tools and models for exploring philosophy, practice, methodology, self-development and growth as a practitioner working with groups in a variety of settings. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, challenge by choice, full value contracts, group dynamics and development, framing, reflection, facilitating the experiential learning cycle, observation skills, technical skills, collaborative and co facilitation, and developing professional skills.
"MIND/BODY/SPIRIT: integrating all dimensions of the human being as an essential aspect of experiential education. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, creativity, yoga, meditation, martial arts, personal wellness, prayer, and other practices that involve a synthesis of spirituality, mindfulness and body work.
"PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: managing risk, responding to trends, promoting and marketing, maintaining client relations, fiscal management and staff development. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, grant writing, strategic planning, capital campaigns, partnerships, accreditation, certification, insurance, internship programs, training, supervision, and site development.
"RESEARCH AND EVALUATION: theories related to experiential learning, new and continuing research results, evaluation methods and outcomes.
"SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES: experiential teaching and learning for primary, secondary, and higher education. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, collaborative learning, empowerment-based education, service learning, adult education, inquiry and action learning, problem-based instruction, peer education, simulation and role playing, learning-style-appropriate teaching, and lab-based instruction.
"SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ETHICS: social and ethical issues and questions as they relate to experiential education. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, issues of ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, age, ability, and multi-culturalism. Also includes professional standards, ethics and integrity.
"THERAPEUTIC ADVENTURE/ADVENTURE THERAPY: therapeutic application and underlying theories and models of adventure-based practice in mental health, corrections, substance abuse, health and related fields. Topics could include, but should not be limited to, clinical assessments, treatment modalities, ethics of client treatment, workshops that blend other forms of experiential practice (art, drama, music, animal-assisted, etc.) for therapeutic purposes.
Workshops may also focus on unique theories and models of programs including co-curricular education, integrating adventure into the curriculum, interdisciplinary learning, learning communities, youth development, values and character development, and community-based education.
Don’t worry if you aren’t sure which strand your particular workshop fits into or perhaps you are taking a risk and creating your own strand. Submit your proposal for consideration as we are always open to a “New Challenge”.
