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Archiver > APG > 2009-07 > 1248886513


From: P Summers-Smith <>
Subject: Re: [APG] APG PMC (Little Rock) Syllabus?
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:55:13 -0700
References: <022001ca0ffa$e8cf49a0$ba6ddce0$@net><614346.12309.qm@web31604.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <614346.12309.qm@web31604.mail.mud.yahoo.com>


I can understand lecturers not wanting additional syllabus sales with
their presentations.

However, the ability to have_virtual_ attendance at conferences would
indeed be a wonderful option. My preference would be to attend each
and every conference in person. But it just isn't possible because of
the total cost of attendance with hotel, airfare and food. I feel
fortunate to be able to attend one such event in a year and can
sometimes manage that financially. The conference fee itself is
usually manageable, but it is the total cost for the trip with
flight, hotel and food that usually makes attendance out of reach.

Virtual attendance would be such a wonderful option. Is it possible
that such an option could be worked out, with the virtual attendance
fee costing the same as that for actual attendance in
person? Timeline requirements for registration and payment for the
virtual conference could be the same as for attendance in person.
Virtual attendees would get all the same materials and handouts as
in-person attendees. Handouts could be made available as downloads.
Postage could be charged for syllabus materials if they were mailed
to virtual attendees.

I realize having virtual attendees at conference lectures would not
be very satisfying for lecturers. But I would think that the numbers
of actual attendees at conferences would probably not decline. People
who can afford to go are still going to go. But it would open an
opportunity for a lot of other folks to also attend.

Others know better than I the costs and requirements of making such a
conference attendance available on a virtual basis. Perhaps it would
not have to be an option for all lecturers if they objected to
virtual attendance at their lectures. Perhaps it could be limited for
a single "virtual track" of selected lectures made available at
registration. At least in the beginning, to see if such a concept was
feasible. Perhaps there are issues other than technical ones that I'm
not aware of. I just wish there was such an option so more of us could attend.

Patricia Summers-Smith
http://rootstracker.com



At 09:06 AM 7/29/2009, Ray Beere Johnson II wrote:
> Actually, this entire _debate_ is rooted in the 20th century.
> There are many valid reasons for not choosing - or even for being
> totally unable - to physically attend a conference.
> There are various options which would allow nearly anyone to
> _virtually_ attend lectures they found interesting. Of course,
> details would need to be worked out, and as this would affect the
> attendance figures, the lecturer's compensation would need to be
> adjusted. In other words, this is hardly something which can or
> should be rushed into without thought. Those who don't want to
> upgrade to the latest and worst software options should be
> accommodated instead of jumping on the most faddish bandwagon, for example.
> However, with the numbers of people upset at what they miss
> out on by not attending a conference, it would make far more sense
> to discuss and explore the options for expanding the benefits of
> conferences by enabling virtual attendance at lectures. Any expense
> could be met by charging fees that would still be _significantly_
> less than those required for physical attendance.
> Ray Beere Johnson II

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