5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Virtual Conference

Sure, you can attend the sessions in your running shorts and squeeze in a webinar between the kids' soccer games. You can even wear your PJs and bring food and drinks to class! You can play the radio in the background or keep an eye on game score, too.

But, I've found that multitasking isn't always the most effective way to attend a Virtual Genealogy Conference. It's too easy to be distracted by everyday routine and miss out on just the session or chat I want to see most.

Instead, I get a lot more out of online learning when I take time to prepare just like I would if the conference was held on site.

This weekend's Family Tree University's Fall Virtual Conference features three different genealogy activities:

• 15 recorded webinars
• 8 scheduled live chat sessions with presenters
• a conference message board for on-going discussion and questions

All activities will be coordinated by Kerry Scott, FTU Instructor and Clue Wagon blogger. Kerry is sure to keep things lively and entertaining all weekend.

A Handful of Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Virtual Conference

1. Get Online and LogIn

A day before the conference begins you will receive a copy of the Student Manual (pdf) and a link to the Conference website on Blackboard. This is the same software used by many universities for online learning and it's intuitive and easy to use. 

If it's your first online conference it's a good idea to take time now to make sure you can log into the site. The content won't be posted until the actual date, but you can be ready to go! You don't want to miss something good because you are figuring it out the details.

2. Mark Your Schedule

I like to review the topics and presenters ahead of time so that I have a good idea of what sessions I want to view early on in order to ask any questions I might have at the live chat with the presenter. The full program for the Fall FTU Virtual Conference is posted here.

If possible, view companion webinars before the live chat so you are ready to ask questions and join in the conversation.

3. Prepare Your Home and Family

When it comes to weekend genealogy, it seems like it's all or nothing at my house. I might have time for uninterrupted research and webinars, but when family activities take priority during a virtual conference, I focus on downloading materials and checking the message boards so I can review everything later.

Sometimes it's possible to set aside a Genealogy Weekend that's clear for conference events and your own personal genealogy research. Let the rest of the family know what hours you'll be busy; order pizza or make a do-ahead casserole. Pretend you are attending a conference on-site and give yourself time to make the most of your virtual conference weekend.

3. Join In! Ask Questions! Participate

In a face-to-face conference the presenter can see you smile or nod your head, but in a virtual world the chat room is lonely and quiet without participation. It's okay to make brief comments just to let folks know you are there. Ask a relevant question, or make a remark like, "thanks, "great idea," or "LOL" to join in.

4. Take Advantage of the Experts

The Discussion Board is a great place to leave questions, pose a problem, or make a request for more information. You've got a a wealth of experience available; make use of it!

5. Download the Materials

Before signing off for the weekend, take time to download the webinars and handouts, and print out a copy of the conference program. It will be your Table of Contents to hours of genealogy education on demand, whenever you have time and questions on the conference topics.

You still have time to register for this genealogy event and get ready for a weekend of family history fun and education. See you this weekend at the Family Tree University's Fall Virtual Conference.

Join Me and Learn New Skills at the Family Tree University Fall Virtual Genealogy Conference

When you can't go to a genealogy conference, let the conference come to you! Family Tree University will present a Virtual Genealogy Conference September 14-16, 2012 with 15 recorded webinars, online chats, discussions, and giveaways.

I am one of several genealogy educators who will present sessions for the weekend in three tracks -- Technology, Research Strategies, and Ethnic Research. One of the advantages of a virtual conference is that you don't have to choose between concurrent sessions. Every presentation is pre-recorded and your registration pass gives you full access to view and download sessions throughout the weekend for view whenever you wish.

I will be presenting two sessions on digitizing with your heirloom documents and photos and your genealogy piles (oops, files). 

Scanning Secrets

Do you have photos and documents you want to preserve digitally? In this class, discover tips and tricks for scanning your family ephemera, from choosing the right resolution to cropping and more.

Paperless Pedigrees: Organizing Your Genealogy Electronically

There’s a bigger benefit to going green in your genealogy than simply saving the environment: Embracing electronic documentation can preserve and put in order your exhaustive research. Just because the material you work with is old doesn’t mean your organization techniques should be outdated. Check out this class to get your e-files in order.

You can get a head-start on the conference at FaceBook by attending live 30-minute chats hosted by several conference presenters. Read the full schedule for dates and times of Meet the Presenter on FaceBook.

Save on Registration

There's still time to get a discount on Conference registration. Family Tree University is offering a 20% discount to Family Curator readers who enter the special code FRIENDSOFDENISE when registering for the Conference. 

View the conference program and meet the presenters. Register here with the discount code FRIENDSOFDENISE.

Learn Genealogy Skills from Home: Family Tree Univ. Fall Virtual Conference

Would you like to advance your genealogy education without the fuss and expense of travel? Wouldn't it be great if you could pop in and out of conference sessions between kids' soccer games, social commitments, and lunch with a friend?

If you think so, I hope you will join me, Lisa Alzo, James Beidler, Lisa Louise Cooke, Rick Crume, Thomas MacEntee, Gena Philibert Ortega, and Diana Crisman Smith September 14-16 for the Fall 2012 Virtual Genealogy Conference presented by Family Tree University.

15 View-Anytime Videos

The seasonal FTU Virtual Conference presents a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in genealogy instruction, live chats, and message board discussions all via the internet. The Fall Course features 15 instructional videos in three tracks: genealogy technology, ethnic research, and research strategies. 

I will be presenting two pre-recorded sessions on moving your genealogy research and keepsakes into the digital age:

Scanning Secrets: Tips and Tricks for scanning photos, documents and ephemera

Paperless Pedigrees: Organizing Your Genealogy Electronically

Video sessions may be viewed at any time during the three-day conference, and are also available to download. 

Live Chat Sessions

Scheduled live chats provide an opportunity to ask questions and broaden your understanding of topics and strategies; message boards offer a forum for ongoing discussion.

Choosing a Cloud Genealogy Program

Best Genealogy Tablet Apps

Discussing Source Documentation

Researching Courthouse Records

Sunday Brunch Free-for-All

Share Your Stumpers: Ideas for Your Brick-Wall Problems

Learn more about the Family Tree University Fall 2012 Virtual Genealogy Conference here.

SAVE $50 Until Wednesday Nite

A special two-day promotion saves you $50 off the regular $199 Registration price when you use the coupon code FTUNEWSVC at checkout. This offer expires 11:59pm, Wednesday 15 August 2012.

Registration includes an All-Access Pass for the three day conference and a "swag bag" of goodies from Family Tree. 

I hope to see you September 14-16 at the Family Tree University Fall 2012 Virtual Genealogy Conference.

Disclosure: I am a contributing author to Family Tree Magazine and a presenter at the Fall 2012  Virtual Genealogy Conference. I receive a small affiliate fee when you click through and register from this blog. See About: Disclosures for more information.

Digitize Your Family History Webinar

Photo and Scan Your Genealogy Photos and Documents

If you are looking for tips to speed up your family heirloom digitization project, you may be interested in a new webinar I will be presenting Thursday, 9 August 2012 for Family Tree University.

Digitize Your Family History will feature:

What does it mean "to digitize"

Why you should digitize your family keepsakes

Scanning vs. Digital Photography

Choosing what to digitize

Using a commercial digitizing service

Tricks for making copies with your digital camera 

Tips for scanning success

Setting scan resolution (dpi)

Naming digital files

In addition, attendees have submitted how-to questions that will be answered during the webinar, and have an opportunity to ask further questions at the end of the presentation. Topics include:

How to scan a tintype

Setting up a digital camera to photograph framed items

Scanner settings for cabinet card photographs

Digitizing an oversize document

and more

My favorite part of the program shows my newest photo innovation -- using a flexible tripod for some camera gymnastics.

Hope you can join us next Thursday, August 9 at 4 pm Pacific Time / 5 p.m. Mountain / 6 p.m. Central / 7 p.m. Eastern

Use the code FAMILY10F when you register and save 10%. Click here to learn more and register.