Flattening the Classroom: Building Collaborative Learning Environments

The EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative 2009 Online Fall [autumn] Focus Session takes place online on September 23-24 2009 and the theme is Flattening the Classroom: Building Collaborative Learning Environments. It sounds an interesting theme and approach. Presentations take place real-time using Adobe Connect. "The schedule will include a series of general sessions, project parlors, and discussion breaks designed to help participants connect more deeply with the content and one another." "Inside the virtual space, participants can submit questions and communicate with colleagues using the chat feature. Live polls, interactive whiteboards, and breakout rooms will offer attendees a chance to communicate with one another and participate in active knowledge building." People are encouraged to register in teams. You have to register and will be invited into a Ning group.

It doesn't say you HAVE to be in the USA to attend (though perhaps that is assumed): at any rate I realised I couldn't register since they say you will need a "toll free telephone" for the discussions (unlikely between the UK and the US, although Skype is actually pretty cheap).
http://net.educause.edu/content.asp?SECTION_ID=443

Photo by Sheila Webber: Cottage, Hailsham, May 2009