Having recently written about discussions – why to contribute, and what not to do when you do contribute – I thought I’d write a quick update on a real live event taking place on 17th November 2011. This is a bit of an advert, but the event I’m writing about is free and should be good for professional development, so I hope you’ll forgive me.

Called Collabor8 4 Change, the event we’re running is an “unconference” with the following features:

The theme is on collaborating, for bringing about change. In other words, Collabor8 4 Change does what it says on the tin.
More specifically, it’s about using ICT in any or if its myriad forms to make pupils’ and teachers’ lives better in some way.
It’s free. That means, no having to get approval to attend.
It takes place in the evening. Ditto.
We’re planning to have an online element, so if you really can’t make it because of distance, hopefully you'’’ still be able to contribute to discussions.
There will be Teachmeet-style presentations of up to 10 minutes each. If you want to tell folk about a project you’ve been running, or a resource you’ve published, that’s the place to do so.
There will also be table discussions for up to around 8 participants for 20 minutes. So, if you have idea to would like to share with people to get their opinion, feedback on a new product or service, or find people to collaborate with on a new project, hosting a table session would be a good way to go about it.
Our Master of Ceremonies for the evening is none other than the inimitable Russell Prue.
The venue is the wonderful CEME centre, courtesy of our hosts, the London Borough of Havering.

We’ve just released 100 more tickets, but they’re first-come, first-served. If you would like to attend, either as a delegate, table session host, 10 minute speaker or helper on the night – or all four – head over to our Eventbrite page and register. It will only take a few minutes. And if you would like to give a talk or run a table discussion, but are not sure what the topic will be yet (which is the position I’m in at the moment!), sign up anyway and I will contact you nearer the time for further details.

To find out more, including links to feedback from the original Collabor8 4 Change, Linked-in, and Facebook, go to the Eventbrite page, where you will also find a list of the delegates, sponsors, speakers, helpers and discussion hosts who have signed up so far – and the organisers too.

Please tell all your friends and non-friends! Twitter tag is #c84c.