House of Learning and Research

Forum

A Forum provides a format to discuss critical issues.  The forum engages educators, as well as presenters and the audience, in a discussion of issues to enhance application of pedagogical knowledge in order to challenge the mainstream paradigms.  Recognizing that there may be diverse perspectives among educators, the forum presents a view of the issue in order to promote dialogue among participants.
No papers are presented in the forum. The ideal format consists of a moderator and no more than seven panellists. Panellists are introduced by the moderator, or introduce themselves, and their interest in the topic, and the moderator proceeds to pose questions to panellists. Questions may be posed to one panellist directly, with other panellists commenting on the question after the original panellist has answered; or questions may be posed to the panel as a whole to elicit comment/discussion. After the panel discussion, the moderator requests questions or comments from the audience. It is important that adequate time be set aside at the end of the forum for audience participation.
Generally, public policy forums are allotted 1.75 hours, or 105 minutes.  Since the dual purpose of the forum is to maximize discussion of issues among the panellists and the audience, it is recommended that time at the forum be allotted as follows: introduction -15 minutes; moderator-posed questions/answers - 60 minutes; and questions/ comments from audience - 30 minutes.

Panels

Panels will be 90 minutes each, and will generally consist of up to five papers with a discussion period to follow.   Please note that if a formal discussant will be participating, there should be no more than four papers in a session, in order to leave time for general discussion. Organizers may schedule as few as three papers if they wish to leave an extended time for discussion.

Papers

Papers will be 15 minutes each.   They may be volunteered individually. The programme committee will organize individually volunteered papers into sessions according to theme and content. Papers intended as part of a proposed session (or symposium) must be submitted by the session organizer as part of the session proposal form.

Roundtables

Roundtables are less formal than forums:  participants do not present formal papers but discuss an issue or topic laid out by the session organizers in their proposal.   Roundtables, like sessions, are 90 minutes long.  The organizer will submit an abstract for the roundtable but participants will not present papers or submit abstracts. Participation as a discussant in this type of format will be the participants' major role.  All organizers and discussants must register.

Workshops

Workshops consist of a small number of participants who gather to discuss a theme or subject in a more informal way than a forum of a roundtable.   A workshop is the equivalent of a roundtable and is 90 minutes long.   Workshop organizers should indicate criteria for participation (i.e. pre-circulated papers, topic preparation, pre-registration)

Special events

Special events such as drumming workshops and dance performances will be scheduled as part of the special events program.  Events are limited to 1.25 hours.  All special requirements or arrangements for these events, for example sound equipment, are the responsibility of the special event organizers.  HLAR will facilitate when possible. 

Booths, Tables, Posters

Booths, Tables, and Posters that are relevant to the educational or cultural orientation of the summer gathering will be scheduled as appropriate.  All special requirements for these activities are the responsibility of the people presenting the booths, tables, or posters.  HLAR will facilitate when possible, including providing College tables or other equipment as available.