Coffee.Connections.Conversations: How to Host a #CoffeeEDU event

Not too long ago, I read a blog post about creating informal opportunities for educators to come together to discuss topics related to teaching and learning through the concept of a #CoffeeEDU. Aligned to the idea of an EdCamp/Uncoference, the goal of a #CoffeeEDU is to provide impromptu and conversational learning opportunities in a short amount of time. #CoffeeEDU events are limited to 1 hour.

I set out with the support of our district 1:1 Professional Learning sub-committee to launch our first #CoffeeEDU. Creating a plan for a #CoffeeEDU event is as easy as:

  1. Setting a date and time
  2. Establishing a location
  3. Communicating and sharing the event with other educators
  4. Connecting and conversing at the event

Some optional details to assist in creating a successful event can include:

  1. A personalized logo to spread the message. I used Canva to create the one below                                                     
  2. Create signage and guidelines to display at the conversation tables. I pulled the guidelines from the CoffeeEDU site to give direction for conversations and connections.
  3. Conversations and topics should be participant driven as they are in an EdCamp or Unconference, but to give direction and start some conversations off, create Table Talk Cards. I pulled questions from of my favorite professional books to guide the conversations and printed them on strips and laminated them. Books I used as a reference for questions included, “Kids Deserve It,” “Shift This,” and “Innovator’s Mindset.”
  4. Give-a-Ways! I solicited copies of books and gift certificates from a local pizza place to award as raffle prizes.
  5. A hashtag! Be sure to share it at the event and follow the tweets and reflections!
  6. A sign-in sheet or digital platform to collect participant’s information so you can follow up with an email or tweet.
  7. A digital badge to award to attendees following their participation. I used Credly to create a digital badge and the platform also allows you to issue ‘credit’ to participants easily and efficiently.
  8. A sticker to give to attendees for their electronic device with the logo or image from the event. I had 2 inch decals made at our local printing store quickly.

You can view these documents below as well.

[embeddoc url=”https://dunlapgradeschool.edublogs.org/files/2017/05/Coffee-EDU-Set-Up-2fy0pg7.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google” ]