For this prototype, I combined a typical conference program with “bullet journaling” — a new spin on the classic hand-written daily planner.
The Lily Conference inspired this project. I ran across their awesome conference program while looking for a new professional development opportunity. They’re using active learning techniques (including minute papers, reflection opportunities, etc.) within the program, which is a format I haven’t seen before. The program has pre- and post-conference activities, too, which helps elevate the program into a reference that attendees will probably keep longer than the typical program.
My department at Maroon Research University hosts a conference every year, so I started brainstorming ways we could borrow ideas from the Lily Conference for our program. As I worked on the program I gradually realized I didn’t want a program at all. What I really wanted was a journal! I wanted to give every conference participant a notebook holding both inspiration and plenty of blank pages. A tool they could use to plan how to introduce active learning and evidence-based teaching in their classes.
I also wanted the conference journal to be fun. As you can see in a few of the prototype photos below, I wanted the pages to invite people to use colored pencils, washi tape, and stickers on their journals. In a perfect world, we’d shake up our pre-conference breakfast session by having journaling supplies at each table, along with a staff member who could provide tips on how to use the journal.
My prototype uses a disc-bound journal system, but I think would also work as a softbound book (like a Moleskine) or a spiral. I used the disc-bound system because it’s what I had on hand. I think if my department had pursued this we would have eventually chosen anther binding due to the cost of punching the holes for the rings.
