Unconference sessions
Don't expect a series of 50-minute scripted PowerPoint presentations, with 10 minutes of Q&A.
Cardiff Translation Unconference sessions are much more interactive and engaging; the point is to involve everyone.
Different formats will lend themselves more readily to different topics, but the most important factor in all session types is active participation. If a session format isn’t working, it’s okay to change to a different format. If attendees feel a session isn't working, we can speak up and change it accordingly. The key is flexibility.
When you register, we will ask you to propose a topic and format for discussion. Feel free to partner up or do a variation on the approach. Keep in mind the goal is dialogue, peer-to-peer co-learning, problem-solving and experience-sharing! Here are some possible formats for your proposed Unconference session.
Cardiff Translation Unconference sessions are much more interactive and engaging; the point is to involve everyone.
Different formats will lend themselves more readily to different topics, but the most important factor in all session types is active participation. If a session format isn’t working, it’s okay to change to a different format. If attendees feel a session isn't working, we can speak up and change it accordingly. The key is flexibility.
When you register, we will ask you to propose a topic and format for discussion. Feel free to partner up or do a variation on the approach. Keep in mind the goal is dialogue, peer-to-peer co-learning, problem-solving and experience-sharing! Here are some possible formats for your proposed Unconference session.
Birds of a feather
A certain topic is discussed by a group sitting in a circle. A facilitator keeps the discussion on track and encourages participation from all, in the form of questions and/or suggestions. No-one is expected to give a presentation, simply to share their ideas and experiences on the topic.
Ignite
A five to ten-minute talk by one person to stimulate wider discussion. Do you have particular expertise you can share? Perhaps an experience with a client that your peers could learn from? Share your story and let the conversation begin.
Lightning talks
Several speakers give brief, consecutive talks on the same subject. The wider discussion can then focus on comparing and contrasting different speakers' viewpoints and approaches.
Show and tell
You are excited about a great app, a project, or anything else you wish to show that will seed the conversation in the session.
The big (or little) question
You have a question you want to explore with others, so the idea is to explain the issue, discuss it with participants and brainstorm a solution together.
Troubleshooting
You propose a problem to the group to resolve together during the allotted time.
Museum walk
Pairs of participants discuss a topic and note down some ideas on sticky notes. These are then stuck to the wall and the whole group has the opportunity to view these and ask each other questions.
Speed-networking
The group is split into halves. One half stays sitting where they are. After a minute of introduction, participants in the other half move along one space to meet the next person. This could be divided so more experienced translators are in one half and recent starters are in the other.
Speed-geeking
Similar to speed-networking, but the participants talk more specifically about their specialist areas.
Language-specific session
This could be a facilitated discussion of the challenges of translating a particular language pair or an opportunity to use the language in a group conversation. It could also be a taster session for learning a new language, e.g. Welsh.
Other ideas are welcome – it’s your unconference!
A certain topic is discussed by a group sitting in a circle. A facilitator keeps the discussion on track and encourages participation from all, in the form of questions and/or suggestions. No-one is expected to give a presentation, simply to share their ideas and experiences on the topic.
Ignite
A five to ten-minute talk by one person to stimulate wider discussion. Do you have particular expertise you can share? Perhaps an experience with a client that your peers could learn from? Share your story and let the conversation begin.
Lightning talks
Several speakers give brief, consecutive talks on the same subject. The wider discussion can then focus on comparing and contrasting different speakers' viewpoints and approaches.
Show and tell
You are excited about a great app, a project, or anything else you wish to show that will seed the conversation in the session.
The big (or little) question
You have a question you want to explore with others, so the idea is to explain the issue, discuss it with participants and brainstorm a solution together.
Troubleshooting
You propose a problem to the group to resolve together during the allotted time.
Museum walk
Pairs of participants discuss a topic and note down some ideas on sticky notes. These are then stuck to the wall and the whole group has the opportunity to view these and ask each other questions.
Speed-networking
The group is split into halves. One half stays sitting where they are. After a minute of introduction, participants in the other half move along one space to meet the next person. This could be divided so more experienced translators are in one half and recent starters are in the other.
Speed-geeking
Similar to speed-networking, but the participants talk more specifically about their specialist areas.
Language-specific session
This could be a facilitated discussion of the challenges of translating a particular language pair or an opportunity to use the language in a group conversation. It could also be a taster session for learning a new language, e.g. Welsh.
Other ideas are welcome – it’s your unconference!
In order to be beneficial, each session needs to have a common purpose. This could be:
- Teaching/training – peer-to-peer learning on a practical or theoretical basis
- Discussion/debate
- Talk/lecture – outline an idea or piece of research
- Demonstration
- Answering a question
- Resolving a problem
- Thrashing out a new idea