Handouts at Educator PD Workshops

MaryAnn Sansonetti

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 9:19 am

 

I have started handing out a “notes” one page handout that has the information on where to download the handouts. I really hate printing handouts but I know participants want something in their hand. It has seemed to work pretty well for me.

Joanne Romano

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 9:30 am

 

Wes, go green. Point to a link for a) access to the docs that are critical for step-by-step and, of course, any other links for preso. Opening 2 windows is a skill, but can be learned. Been in education a very long time and have way too much paper filed in boxes and has never looked at again.

Jennifer Wagner

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 9:31 am

 

I still struggle with printing handouts or not — primarily because I know that as soon as listeners leave the session….a great deal of what has been shared will be forgotten….and having that information available for later reflection is important.

But I also struggle with #1 the cost of printing, #2 packing and traveling with handouts, and also — what format should they be in — word, powerpoint, newsletter???

I want my attendees to have my information at their fingertips when they need it — but not necessarily 10 pages of handouts.

So, in answer to your question — I need to say “NO” ….step by step handouts are no longer necessary — but they do need a way to remember and a way to contact you later….

For me….I have started created notecards — a bit bigger than business cards. They have my name, email, blog, website — as well as links to my WIKI and handouts of my sessions for that conference. (You can print 4 or 6 to a page)

I was thinking of creating a magnet with the same information but am still weighing the pros and cons.

Jen

Ryan Collins

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 9:31 am

 

I agree with @MaryAnn, it’s exactly what I started with presentations this year.

I feel that presentation handouts are just an outgrowth of when everything was done on transparencies. Easy to duplicate, but not really necessary.

Craig Nansen

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 9:43 am

 

I have been giving “electronic handouts” instead of paper handouts for several years now. I give one URL, usually done using Tiny URL, where they can go to get all my presentation info, including any slides I may have used.

The advantages to the participant:

(1) They are getting a “living” document instead of a snapshot in time. As I make additions, changes or corrections to the online document they will have access to them.

(2) The links are live. They just need to click on them instead of typing them in from the printed handout.

(3) They can print off any PDFs if they want, when they want, and it will look exactly like they would if I had handed that out to them.

(4) They don’t have to carry all that paper around :-)

The advantages to me and the conferences organizers:

(1) Promotes going “green.”

(2) Saves money for printing costs

(3) I can (and do) continue to make changes the night before and right up to “going live.” And I may add notes right afterwards based on questions asked during and after the preso. Couldn’t provide this with printed copies that may have to printed days ahead of time.

(4) Don’t have to worry about “running short” of handouts :-)

Craig Nansen

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 9:50 am

 

Forgot to mention that it is easier for participants to share your handouts with colleagues if they are electronic. They don’t need to pick up an extra set for a friend, or make copies of them later.

BTW – Why do you have to be under 35 to be a Leader?

Leaders – Young professionals who

Actives – Largely over-35 year old professionals

Shelly

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 10:06 am

 

An ed techie giving 28 page paper handouts at a workshop is as appropriate as McDonalds catering a vegan conference.

Jacqui Sharp

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 4:39 pm

 

I have given up on handouts as well, I expect participants to my courses to bring their laptops with wireless access and then I direct them to my slideshare and/or scribd account to download the full presentation, which they can freely use for reporting back to their school. If somebody asks me how did I do something then I direct them to any one of my blogs with a keyword so that they can view the steps there. If I haven’t got the steps, I will add them to the blog later. This has worked very well for me and teachers seem to like it as well (once they have mastered finding the websites and how to download!)

Lori Ferguson

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 5:50 pm

 

Yikes! 28 paper handouts! When I packed up my classroom to become a trainer last year, I ended up recycling an entire file folder drawer of paper workshop handouts.

The best train-the-trainer event I’ve been to this year, didn’t give out any paper handouts. They created a google site for the training and posted all the handouts there. I was actually able to go back to the site after 6 months and print out a handout that I needed. I’ve also been to events where they gave out flash drives with the handouts.

Stop giving out paper handouts!

Anita McAnear

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 11:16 pm

 

Don’t forget that NECC speakers can upload handouts to their records in the online database. The email about that will go out next week. Presenter records also have a field for a url if you would prefer to post the info to a wiki or other type of web page. Save a tree!

Katie Christo

Tuesday, 19th May 2009 at 11:29 pm

 

I also don’t usually give out handouts. Instead I let participants print handouts if they want them from my wiki (http://katiechristo.pbworks.com). I give out my wiki to my teachers and reference it in every training I do. I tell them that my wiki is a place they can always go to print out handouts and get more information on the topic.

Azmina

Wednesday, 20th May 2009 at 12:15 am

 

I think if you handout a page with relevant websites or a url for where they can download your notes/ handouts electronic ally is sufficient. I believe that attendees have paid to attend the conference and this entitles them to something.

Bonnie Muir

Wednesday, 20th May 2009 at 1:54 am

 

I do think it is important to have a handout. I collect the handouts and go over the material when I have a break.

I try to keep notes on my laptop or send myself a reminder. But I do find that I refer to handouts for details that I failed to write down.

[...] case you missed it, Wes Fryer published a post the other day, Handouts at Educators PD Workshops, where he asked all of us the question, “should workshop leaders provide printed handouts [...]

Joe Corbett

Wednesday, 20th May 2009 at 1:50 pm

 

Hey everyone, these are some great comments! You’ve all inspired me to collect some insights on how to be a green educator. Please check out my new post and add your thoughts using the nifty google document embedded below the post. Thanks!

[...] are some very interesting posts going on over at ISTEConnects.  The first is a post by Wes Fryer Handouts at Educator PD Workshops.  This post is near and dear to my heart as I’ve been trying for the last couple of years to [...]