We have a new format! Here’s how we’re shifting in 2018.

1. Change of Platform: We’re moving away from the webinar style set up, and switching to Zoom. In this way, we can see your faces, we can hear your voices, and we can break up into smaller discussion groups. The possibilities are vast, and we hope you’ll give us ideas of how we can engage in even more powerful ways.
2. Shift in Delivery: Though we’ve said we want to model a conversation style dialogue, we’ve had trouble putting our money where our mouths are. We’ve defaulted to scripting out the conversation as though we were presenting at a conference. Many times we’ve had multiple run-throughs where we find the best conversations happen during rehearsal. We don’t want this, but we do want to find the right blend of well-prepared and thoughtful speakers, combined with the natural flow of conversation.
3. Alignment of Focus: With the AAM Annual Meeting focusing on Education this year, we have an opportunity to create an evolving conversation that ties into the Annual Meeting, so that those without the means or ability to travel, can still participate before and after.
4. Power of Storytelling: As museum professionals, we recognize the power of narrative and context. We want the EdComversations to be a place where we can share stories- our greatest successes, our most embarrassing flops, those moments when the emotional power of the impact of our work brings us to tears, and everything in between.
5. Iterative: We’re still learning. There will be some pieces that will work out well. Some will not. As educators, we’re open to learning, to reflecting, and to continuing to improve and be responsive to the needs, wants, and ideas of our colleagues. So thank you in advance for helping make us better.

Who Should Attend

Museum practitioners from all disciplines within the museum field.

Moderator

• Sheri Levinsky-Raskin, assistant vice president, education & evaluation, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; chair for professional development, EdCom

Registration

This program is free to all attendees, but online pre-registration is required.

Register Now

Join the Conversation on Twitter

The dialogue will be held concurrently from 4:00-5:00 p.m. ET on Twitter at #MuseumEdChat. The conversation will continue that evening from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET. All participants from the AAM EdComVersation are encouraged to join and continue the conversation. On Twitter: @AAMers, @AAM_EdCom, #MuseumEdChat, @museumedchat

About EdComversations:

EdCom hosts EdComVersations every third Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (PT). These online, talk-show-style discussions cover timely, relevant topics from the museum community and encourage dialogue, networking, and collaborative idea generation.

About EdCom:

The American Alliance of Museums Education Professional Network (EdCom) advances the purpose of museums as places of lifelong learning, serves as an advocate for diverse audiences and educators and promotes professional standards and excellence in the best and next practice of museum education.

About the Journal of Museum Education:

The Museum Education Roundtable publishes The Journal of Museum Education (JME), a peer-reviewed publication exploring and reporting on theory, training, and practice in the museum education field. Published four times a year, each issue consists of articles—written by museum, education, and research professionals—exploring such relevant topics as learning theory; visitor evaluation; teaching strategies for art, science, and history museums; and the responsibilities of museums as public institutions.