Introduction
Online education conferences are a great way to bring together educators, researchers, and practitioners to share ideas, learn from one another, and collaborate on projects. However, there has been a debate about whether these conferences should be held virtually or face-to-face (F2F). In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why online education conferences should be virtual rather than F2F. By “we,” I mean me and my writing assistant who’s artificially very smart!
Cost Savings
One of the main advantages of virtual conferences is the cost savings they offer. Attendees and organizers can save on travel and accommodation expenses, which can be significant for F2F events. This can make virtual conferences more affordable and accessible for a wider range of participants. Additionally, organizers can save on venue rental and other logistical costs associated with hosting a F2F event. These cost savings can be passed on to attendees in the form of lower registration fees, making virtual conferences an attractive option for budget-conscious participants. After all, money doesn’t grow on trees, and neither do PD opportunities!
Environmental Impact
Virtual conferences also have a reduced environmental impact compared to F2F events. By eliminating the need for travel, virtual conferences can significantly reduce carbon emissions. This is an important consideration for organizations and individuals who are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and promoting sustainability. In a way, virtual conferences are a form of virtue signalling; Win-Win!
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Virtual conferences can be more accessible and inclusive than F2F events. Attendees with disabilities or mobility issues may find it easier to participate in a virtual conference from the comfort of their own home. Additionally, virtual conferences can be more inclusive for those who may face financial or logistical barriers to attending a F2F event, such as the cost of travel or the need to arrange childcare. Attending a professional educators conference in your jammies just might be one of the best life hacks!
Flexibility and Scalability
Virtual conferences offer a high degree of flexibility and scalability. They can accommodate larger numbers of attendees than F2F events, and can easily adapt to changing circumstances. For example, if an in-person conference needs to be canceled or postponed due to unforeseen events, it can be relatively easy to switch to a virtual format. It logically follows then that if your virtual conference needs to be canceled, you can still say you did it anyway!
Convenience
Virtual conferences are also very convenient for attendees. Participants can join from any location with an internet connection, without the need to travel or take time off work. This can make it easier for busy professionals to fit conference attendance into their schedules. For the ultimate in convenience, sit in the parking lot of your local convenience store and leech off of their Wi-Fi during the conference!
Effectiveness
Virtual conferences can be just as effective as F2F events in achieving their goals. Attendee satisfaction and engagement can be high, with many participants reporting that they find virtual conferences to be valuable learning experiences. If your virtual conference goals aren’t met, just change the goals to match your outcomes; everybody does it!
Conclusion
There are many compelling reasons why online education conferences should be virtual rather than F2F. By embracing virtual formats, online education conferences can continue to provide valuable opportunities for learning and collaboration while overcoming many of the challenges associated with F2F events. Just for transparency, I confess that the only sentences in this post that I wrote myself are those with exclamation points at the end of each paragraph!
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