I have not participated, but rather observed a national online scientific meeting, with a PowerPoint presentation, conducted by the EPA on wetland mitigation. It went as smoothly as any ESA session I have attended and questions were taken from participants from across the USA in real time. This may not be a panacea, nor satisfy everyone=B9s needs, but it could be a viable alternative for many of us.
Randy From: Malcolm McCallum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:30:53 -0500 To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Skipping meetings vs. teleconferencing Anyone ever participated in an online scientific meeting? On Mon, August 6, 2007 8:27 am, Kelly Stettner wrote: > I got the impression from Wayne's post that he was not discouraging > physical attendance at meetings, but rather that he was encouraging the > use of other methods of participation. I have neither the time nor the > money to "travel extensively, jetting about" to and from meetings and > conferences and gatherings. I must pick and choose, carpool when I can, > and (MUCH more often) seek out conference calls, on-line courses and > meetings, and notes and presentations posted online after said conference > or symposium. I have taught myself perseverance in researching and have > gained the self-confidence to realize my questions are pertient and valid= . > > Another important tool I use is e-mail -- I seek out the researcher or > presenter, find their e-mail address, and ask them questions, sparking > conversations and discussions, getting answers and furthering my > understanding. I am a full-time college student, mother of two, > full-time secretary, and part-time voluntary director of a > community-based watershed team in Vermont, so my time is limited as is > my budget. I think it is extremely important for me to "meet" > colleagues any way I can, and e-mail is a fantastic "first contact" > method. > > So Wayne is not recommeding skipping meetings or discussion-time, he is > promoting finding alternative avenues of interacting as a means of time > and fuel economy. Or at least, that is what I am understanding from his > comments. > > Sincerely, > Kelly Stettner, Director > Black River Action Team > Springfield, VT > www.blackriveractionteam.org > > > --------------------------------- > Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's > on, when. > Malcolm L. McCallum Assistant Professor of Biology Editor Herpetological Conservationa and Biology [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
