Interactive events are intended to enable participants to experiment with new interactive devices and environments for teaching and learning, explore designs for collaborative activities, or to try and compare methods for research and practice.

We encourage interactive events that make use of advanced technologies, or existing interactive technologies that support a specific pedagogical model of collaborative learning. Interactive events may be scheduled in a particular time slot, take place asynchronously over several days, or be a mixture of both. Possible formats are limited only by proposers' imaginations, but should include a significant measure of participation by attendees. Here are some examples of possible formats:
 

A CSCL tool is made available on devices distributed throughout the conference site, allowing participants to use the tool over several days, e.g., to discuss an issue of common interest to the CSCL community.

Participants are given hand-held computing devices along with a data collection objective distributed across the conference site. They bring their data that have been collected and engage in a group sense-making activity.

Teachers and students who have been engaged in a long term online learning community interact with other conference attendees in a virtual conference, perhaps using the very online environment in which they work (if appropriate). Some representatives of the community attend the conference, while others join in through virtual presence.

Several researchers with distinct yet complementary theoretical and methodological perspectives analyze a common videotape, showing an example of collaborative learning. Conference participants join in with their own perspectives.

Groupware for online discussion both during, before and after any of the conference events may also be used to extend the extent of interaction.
 

Demonstrations that include hands-on use are encouraged, as well as demonstrations that support specific pedagogical models of collaborative learning. The best proposals will engage participants in exploring issues related to the technology or a learning scenario being addressed.

The proposal should be no more than 3 pages in length, and include:

• Title of interactive event.

• Organizers' names, affiliation and addresses, email, telephone, fax, and URL (if appropriate).

• If there is more than one organizer, identify the point of contact and the roles of other organizers.

• Short (appx 200 word) abstract describing the event in a manner suitable for use in conference promotional materials and programs.

• Objective of the event from the participants' standpoint: what will participants (possibly including the organizers) learn?

• Description of the event itself. Give a narrative of the flow of events, including roles of organizers and participants. Include examples of materials, hardware, software and other technologies used as appropriate.

• Summary of scheduling needs. ("One-shot" event in a room? If so, how long? Asynchronous or face to face events distributed over the conference?)

• Number of participants you can accommodate (if there is a limit).

• Summary of equipment needs. (We expect to be able to provide standard computer and presentation equipment. We cannot commit in advance to meet all requests. Proposers of events requiring other equipment should begin discussions with conference organizers as soon as possible and consider other ways to fund the equipment rental.)

• Do you have a related submission to the papers track, or plan to submit a related poster, panel, or workshop proposal?