Giving Compass' Take:

• EdSurge describes the experience of transferring the elements of an edcamp (organic, participant-driven gatherings for educators) over to students, and gives some advice on how to start your own.

• Could nonprofits learn from the structure of edcamps? Would peer-to-peer learning in an informal environment drive more constructive discussions?

• You may also want to look into educator networks and how it can build community learning.

By now you’ve probably heard of edcamps — free, organic, participant-driven, “un-conferences” that empower educators to maximize professional learning experiences and peer networks. As a longtime enthusiast, what I love most about the movement is that at its heart it’s all about educators teaching and empowering other educators. So, what if we gave our students the same opportunity their teachers have to learn alongside one another, lift each other up and maximize their learning experiences, all while promoting empathy and kindness?

Earlier this year, Hackensack Public Schools hosted its first edcamp at Nellie K. Parker Elementary School. This event was open to any staff from across the district and in other schools throughout the tri-state area. Before the event, the NKP staff was buzzing with excitement, which piqued the curiosity of the students. Kids volunteered to make signs and asked about other ways they could be a part of the event. The organizers were short on time but promised there would be something for them in the future. Edcamp After Hours, the first of its kind in northern NJ, ended up being a big hit. The energy and enthusiasm filtered down to the students, who then asked if they could hold an edcamp of their own ...

Porting the edcamp model over to students can be a challenge. Here are some tips to make the most of the experience.

  1. Propose the opportunity with your students.
  2. Start small.
  3. Set clear expectations.
  4. Make time to reflect.
  5. Partner with another class.

Read the full article about how to plan a kidamp by Chrissy Romano-Arrabito at EdSurge.