Past Participant Statements:
One of the questions we always ask on the Overall Conference Evaluation Form is "Was there anything that made this conference different from others you have attended?" Here are some of the replies:
- "The spectacular setting above all, with a chance to be "outside of life" for several days. The experience of meeting colleagues from a great variety of disciplines which is literally the opposite of almost all other conferences I attend."
- "The setting is ideal - It really gets you away and fosters meaning for
discussion and sharing. Don't change this. Also, having everyone there the whole
time was great."
"All the interesting and dedicated people. High level of scholarship about teaching."
"Everyone had the same goal--to discover better ways of teaching students. I was impressed - even the featured speakers stayed for all the sessions! One was in my session." - "I liked the intimate nature of the sessions and the friendliness of everyone. I was welcomed into groups where I didn't know any of the people but they all knew each other. Lots of regular faculty interested in how I teach in my classes."
- "This was the first conference I attended focused on teaching; I have attended others on subject matter. I believe there was a greater amount of sharing here."
- "More relaxed and more supportive of all types of ideas. Collegiality of the attendees. I found out I have been doing a good job!"
- "Most fun I've ever had at a serious academic conference. A model of how conferences can work. Plus exposure to current research on learning."
- "This was my first Lilly Conference. Very supportive, cooperative environment compared with conferences in my discipline. I'll be back! Next year I'll present."
- "First educational conference. A wonderful invigorating experience. I hope to attend in the future. I hope to bring a team from my department. We need this stuff."
- "This was my second year. The key to its success is the mix of disciplines brought together."
- "Interdisciplinary focus. Encouragement to mingle with faculty from other disciplines."
- "More friendly, more participative, and less formal. The use of good educational models. Mix of disciplines means sharing of techniques."
- "Absolutely - This is the most caring, sharing group of people I have ever encountered at a conference!! Everyone there to help increase learning. I usually attend technology conferences where people try to be bigger, better, faster, etc. than anyone else. This was truly a gift to me!"
- "Focus on teaching/learning and professional growth in this area."
"I made contacts with other attendees, contacts I think will persist beyond the conference." - "All focused on teaching and learning. People were interested, enthusiastic and committed. Amazing how other disciplines are doing what I want to do."