The document summarizes the use of an online "Design Space" during the 2012 LMR principals conference to promote online learning. The Design Space was used to: 1) Provide access to workshop resources and allow interaction between presenters and participants; 2) Embed hands-on online activities into workshops; and 3) Engage principals before, during, and after the conference through blogs, announcements, and feedback. The goal was to demonstrate how online spaces can effectively support learning communities.

1. Loddon Mallee Region
Principal’s Conference 2012
Design Space
Group ID 140869565 (open)
Presented by
Stephen O’Connor & Emma DeJong

2. Group ID 140869565 (open)
The 2012 LMR principals conference was based and
centered completely around the Ultranet, online learning and
the use of Web 2.0 and Edustar applications. This was to
enhance the effectiveness of School Administration and
student outcomes in Teaching and Learning and to allow
Principals to see how the Ultranet is used in other schools.
Our aim was for every principal to walk away with at least
one new idea and a refocus on the importance of online
learning.

3. Group ID 140869565 (open)
The Nitty Gritty:
1. Design Space was initially set up by Narissa
2. Other coaches from each network then took on co-
ownership
3. Basic structure was then constructed-
timetables, workshops etc
4. School presenters were then invited to request co-
ownership and take over the set up of their page.
5. Principals were then invited (through email and also
Ultranet notices) to join the space and begin
participation.
6. Space was promoted at the Conference for all to join
before attending any sessions.

4. Group ID 140869565 (open)
Preconference Blog
The dea of this was for
principals to post ideas
and thoughts before the
conference.
Trying to promote an
online community to
support collegiate
interactions.

5. Competition
Another opportunity
to put the wide range
of Web 2.0 options in
front of our school
leaders.
Expanding their
understanding of what
is out there that can
be adopted by all
members of the
school.

6. Conference Admin
Who is presenting?
Where are your
workshops?
What resources is each
workshop presenting?

7. Group ID 140869565 (open)
The purpose of the space was to engage as many principals as
possible in an Ultranet design Space to demonstrate how it
can be used to support a community of learners.
It proved a very critical point for School Design spaces and
also Community Portal pages:
The difference in the effectiveness between a space
owned by one person compared to one with multiple
owners/contributors is HUGE.
We wanted the Prins to go back with an understanding that a
team of empowered and skilled teachers can make a space a
really powerful resource for their school.

8. Group ID 140869565 (open)
Over to Emma!

9. How the space was used throughout the conference
Workshop presenters used the space to provide immediate access to related resources.
Workshop participants interacted with resources.
Hands on component of workshops, where principals got a chance to use some online
resources, were hyperlinked /iFramed/embedded into Design Space.

10. (steve)
Bringing the Outside in!
During the Monday
“Powerful Learning”
session, We had a 4 x
Todays Meet pages
feeding into the page
for the session through
iframes. A number of
classrooms were
answering the question
“What makes it easier
for you to learn?” Real
live feed from real live
kids.

11. Online Brainstorming
During the Monday “Powerful Learning” session, We also
had a google doc spreadsheet set up for a brainstorming
activity.
Yes we dragged them away from butchers paper and pens
(not many were kicking and screaming)

12. The Design Space allowed the participants to explore the other presentations
and resources that were being conducted throughout the 2 days.

13. Blog on the home page used to inform Principal’s of important and
social related announcements. Created a sense of humour 

14. Principal’s participated in blogs prior to the conference and to check to make
sure they were booked into the workshops they requested.

15. Principal’s were asked to provide feedback throughout the
conference through Page Comments and Webforms in the
design space. Feedback was fed back to the presenters
immediately and workshops were modified accordingly.