Physiotherapy education at the In Beta Unconference 2020
In Beta is a virtual community of physiotherapy educators who experiment with different approaches to teaching and learning, make podcasts, publish a newsletter, share project ideas and arrange Unconferences. In Beta’s name reflects the fact that we are always in a testing phase with our teaching. Always looking for the problems in the old code and how to improve for the next iteration. The period of disruption resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging and uncomfortable for physiotherapy programmes who have undertaken an unprecedented paradigm shift to online and distance delivery of education. But disruption also provides a unique opportunity for change. Going back to business as usual after Covid-19 might not be possible, and even if it is we’re not sure that it’s desirable.
The 2020 In Beta Unconference will be a space to pause, reflect, and share our learning and experiences in order to improve where we go next. It is a participant-led event, in which everyone learns from each other. There are no keynote speakers and no Powerpoint slides. Instead, everyone has a shared responsibility for creating an engaging learning environment.
We are planning a range of activities that will get participants to think, reflect and discuss how physio education might continue to evolve and develop after the disruption caused by Covid-19. Part of the Unconference aim is to experiment with approaches that we could use in our own blended teaching. With this in mind, the different activity streams that we have planned have a mixture of online and offline activities based on the principle that everyone who joins the Unconference is an active learner contributing to a shared process. We’re really keen that “participation” does not mean sitting in front of a computer screen all day and to that end are planning activities that will take you outside and away from your desk. Having a range of synchronous and asynchronous activities also means that you could choose to engage with lots of them across the two days, or to fit a smaller number of activities in around other commitments.
The In Beta Unconference 2020 is free to attend and will run online over 2 days on 14th and 15th September. You can find more details about the Unconference and register your interest at: https://inbeta.uwc.ac.za/unconference/.
More information about the specific streams and activities and how to join each one will be released shortly. Academics, clinicians and students with an interest in any aspect of physiotherapy education are all welcome to join.