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Conference / (Net)Working Gathering

About WE LEARN Conferences | 2012 Conference Report | Archives 2004 - 2010

About the WE LEARN Gathering . . .

WE LEARN takes pride in creating a truly unique event. Here are some things you can expect if you attend a WE LEARN (Net)Working Conference & Gathering.

Women-centered learning environment;
Adult learners involved as presenters and speakers as well as attendees (Attendance in 2012 was 35% learners);
Workshop presenters include ABE students as well as teachers and researchers;
Keynote address, workshops, panels or town hall;
Exhibit area & Resources exchange;
Topics that are practical, as well as theoretical and academic;
Activities that are participatory, hands-on, and/or reflective;
Spaces for healing, music, making art, performance and storytelling, and other "alternative" happenings;
Time for physical activity such as walks, exercise, or yoga;
Healthy breakfast and lunch (with vegetarian options) included;
A sensory environment filled with colorful banners, fresh flowers, music, art, and other beauties;
Accessibility: , Spanish-language translation, affordable registration, and more;
ABE student scholarships and work-exchange for part-time teachers & university students available;
A friendly, welcoming, warm, and festival-like environment.

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2012 Conference Report

March 9-10, 2012
Women in Literacy: Access Technology, Build Connections, Create Networks
Providence, RI

Complete Program Book | Workshop handouts

Main Events

Opening Panel: Access Technology, Build Connections, Create Networks

Plenaries: How Does WE LEARN Matter to You? | Using Technology, Sustaining Connections, Nurturing Networks

Activities: Social Media | Tech Drop In Center | Creating Mandalas | Art-Making | Women's Perspectives Celebration

Thank you to our sponsors

Official Conference Opening

PANEL Discussion on Conference Theme
Women in Literacy: Access Technology, Build Connections, Create Networks

Featuring: Kathleen P. King, Donna Jones, Kathryn Ssedoga, Karisa Tashijian, and Heather Lash. Moderated by Shellie Walters with Priyanka Sharma

Members of the WE LEARN community and invited guests discussed conference themes. Adult learners, teachers, academics and researchers resented an interesting array of topics.

See notes on the blog!
Videos coming soon

How Does WE LEARN Matter to You? Exciting New Visions for Moving Forward...

In this interactive session, developed and presented by the WE LEARN Board of Directors, participants discussed these questions:

How is it still important to focus on women’s literacy or women’s needs in literacy? Why? What are effective ways to do this?
What is the role and future of WE LEARN as a participatory membership/ volunteer organization?
How do we continue to build a community that cares and promotes women’s literacy issues and needs?

Presentation PowerPoint

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Using Technology, Sustaining Connections, Nurturing Networks

Mev Miller, Founder ... and Facilitated by the WE LEARN Connections Committee

In this interactive session (though small group work and open mic discussion), we demonstrated how to access and add to the treasures of the newly launched WE LEARN website. Participants discussed these questions:

What works? What needs revision?
What are new ways you use the website for learning and teaching?
What content do we need to build? How can WE LEARN members contribute to keeping the website fresh, meaningful, and vibrant?
How can the website sustain connection and communication among WE LEARN members and nurture networks of people supportive of women’s literacy?

Presentation PowerPoint with Notes

Tech Drop-In Center

Throughout the conference, we provided space for all conference participants to ask their questions, share ideas, and engage hands-on with computer and Internet places.

Activities included:

Access to flip cameras to record sessions or make quick videos
Participation in various social media

Handouts included:

Favorite Apps to Check Out (submitted by WE LEARN Members)
Guides for Using Resources
Overview of Technology for Learning
Resources for Professional Development Regarding Technology

Real-Time Interactive - Conference Social Media

We shared the conference experience with attendees AND with those who could not join us physically. Since our conference is about technology, what better way to explore than through various interactive social media forums? We offered spaces to:

Ask questions,
Share experiences,
Gain new insight, and
Learn new ideas.

Conference Blog 2012

Participants and conference facilitators used the blog to post updates and offer real-time happening during the conference. For those who could not attend, we hope this gives you some connection to the exciting and nourishing events.

Google Doc Open Forum

Twitter Feed

#welearn2012 -- archive coming soon

Creating Mandalas in a Sacred Space

See the video of the mandala creation

On the Saturday (March 10, 2012), participants at the WE LEARN conference had the unusual opportunity to step into a space designated for creativity and silent walking meditation for as short or as long as they wish. Guided by Lenore Balliro (Project Director of the Managing Stress to Improve Learning project at World Education in Boston) conference participants entered the sacred space at various designated intervals and add to the emerging mandala design on a large table, using dried beans, seeds, and rice. To intensify the transformative process of the experience, they worked in silence, communicating with each other in non-verbal ways as they allowed a gradual transition to using the right side of their brains. Mandala, the Sanskrit word for circle, represents wholeness and harmony in Buddhist and Hindu spiritual practice. Traditionally, monks create mandalas using fine grains of colored sand, spending many days in silence as the circular design emerges. For more information about mandala history, design, and use in educational settings, please goes to http://www.mandalaproject.org/

Art-Making

Sympathy Place (Poem - Shared Writing)

By Rene Arsenault, Jessica Becker, Joanna Becker, Theresa Cook, Marie Doerner, Donna Jones, Nirvani Persaud, Daria Ramos, Shellie Walters

Struggle is universal,

But, just like the universe, some spots are darker than others.

And everyone struggles at one point or another.

It may be the dark matter that holds us together.

Our tears, our sweat and our determination to do better

would shed some light.

The strain on my back makes me crack

like a floorboard in a tumbleweed house.

But through the cracks the light appears.

Surviving the dark times makes the light times sweeter.

I put a candle on my nose and smile while watching the sun rise.

Sometimes we can make choices in our lives, but God still loves us.

We can’t let the struggle bring us down,

we’ve got to keep moving forward.

We should look at the light streaming in our windows

that lights up the dust like stars.

And through the window, you can see the river outside,

moving the obstacles down.

So I take my cup to the river. As it lifts, my cup runneth over.

On Friday evening, we had a spirited participant-made "Talent Show." Sharing stories, poems, music, and other bits, this showcase proved both inspiring as well as fun. Going forward, this space will forever be known to us as "Daisy's Place" due to one of the stories told. This poem emerged as a "summary" of this evening.