1

G: Emerging Technological Trends

Let’s Predict the Future!

A half-day workshop at the SAOIM 2014 conference held on Tuesday 3 June 2014 facilitated by Brian Kelly, Cetis

Slides available under a Creative Commons licence (CC-BY)

G1: Let’s Predict the Future:

Amplified Events

2

What Is An Amplified Event?

An amplified event:• The talks and discussions are 'amplified' through

use of networked technologies in order to extend the reach of the event deliberations.

Can include:• Amplification of the speaker's talk: e.g. Video-

streaming; video/audio recording; …• Amplification of the audiences' voice: e.g. use

of Twitter to ask questions and discuss ideas

Can be carried out:• Top-down• Bottom-up

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amplified_conference

3

Evidence of its Significance

We are now seeing:• Variety of tools used for curating an event’s

digital content (e.g. Storify)• A new profession starting to emerge: the

event amplifier• Events managing event amplification e.g.

video–streaming; hiring event amplifiers; producing guidelines; …

• Reports on best practices being commissioned e.g. “Practices for Event Amplification: a Greening Events II Report”

4

Why Is It Important?

Event amplification can:• Maximise impact of ideas at events• Provide additional professional development

opportunities e.g. see “Open content and open events: Professional development in an amplified world”

• Provide environment benefits due to reduced need to travel

• Provide marketing opportunities for events• Provide learning opportunities related to use

of distance learning, MOOCS, ...

5

Why is it Important Now?

Event amplification is important now:• Ubiquitous networks• Proliferation of mobile devices• Ability to make use of existing tools e.g.

bundled in (Skype) or readily available & used in other contexts (Twitter)

• We’ve seen a gestation period before it became accepted as valuable

• Use is now mature e.g. less inappropriate content on Twitter walls

6

What Should/Could I Do?

You can:• Engage in event amplification at ILI by

lurking• Engage actively be participating in the

back channel discussions • Speakers can encourage tweeting

during your talks• Take a pro-active approach to

amplification of your organisation’s events

7

Biases and Prejudices

Note:• I wrote a paper on “Using Networked

Technologies To Support Conferences” in 2005• I created the “Amplified Conference” Wikipedia

entry• Lorcan Dempsey, who coined the term, was my

boss• @eventamplifier is a friend

You would therefore expect me to be enthusiastic about amplified events!

8

Questions

Any questions?