Fall Online Conference: Healing Power of FOrgiveness

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The Healing Power of Forgiveness
2007 Fall Online Conference -- November 5-16, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding Online Conferences

Will I be able to participate in this conference if I have never done anything like this before?

The Oates Institute has been hosting online conferences since 1998. Many of the people attending one of our online conferences or workshops have never participated in an event of this type over the Internet. To assist with the process we have prepared a "How-To" Seminar that we offer as a preconference activity. Almost everyone who has participated in one of our conferences or workshops has reported that they found themselves comfortable with using the technology and participating in the event after reading through these lessons.

What type of equipment will I need to be able to participate?

Since we take a simple approach to providing information and facilitating discussions in the online environment, all you need is access to the Internet and a computer capable of running a web browser such as Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer and the ability to send and receive email. If you do not have Internet access from your home or office, you may check with your local public or school library for access.

How does an online conference work?

An online conference, much like traditional conferences that are held in real time and space, brings a group of people together to address a topic or continue their education. However, an online conference is held electronically over the Internet employing the tools and techniques developed by those working in the field of distance education.

As professionals are increasingly expected to participate in professional education programs, online conferences and workshops provide significant opportunities for learning from others around the world conveniently and economically. Nevertheless, these conferences and workshops still offer all the benefits of information, discussion, and networking provided by traditional conferences.

Online conferences are generally held over a longer period of time to allow participants to work it into their existing schedules. Invited speakers make their presentations as papers published on a restricted access web site. These papers can be accessed by participants around the clock for the duration of the conference, at their convenience.

How are the papers presented over the Internet?

We have opted to approach presentations in the way that provides the greatest flexibility for the person attending the conference. Since most conference and workshop presenters bring their papers to read, we have chosen to present those papers in a form that allows those attending the conference to read them at their convenience during the conference period. You can read a little over breakfast and then continue after dinner, or you can print out a copy of the presentation to carry along with you to read on the bus or over lunch.

Attending a conference from home over the Internet seems so impersonal. Are there any opportunities for discussion and interaction with the presenters and others attending the conference?

Yes, there are. The Internet provides the opportunity for significant interaction and sharing of thoughts and ideas. We offer several different opportunities for discussion throughout the conference, and the experience of this interaction is one of the hallmarks of our conferences and workshops that people have found most meaningful.

One form our discussions take is the Live Discussions with the presenters. These are stimulating 90 minute discussion sessions held at scheduled times that provide an opportunity for all of the conference participants to ask questions and share in discussions with the conference presenters. A second form is the Email Discussion Group, which provides ongoing discussion where you may read messages and contribute at your convenience. Finally, we provide discussion forums where participants can post questions or comments for the presenters and other conference participants. Replies can then be posted by the presenters or other participants.

	Since this conference is being held over the Internet, do I have to register?
	Yes. There is a discounted registration fee of only $35 for Oates Institute members and non-members may register for $99. (Non-members may also opt to join the Oates Institute for the coming year for only $120 and register at the member rate plus have free registration for the online seminars we will offer in 2008 -- we offer 45-50 online seminars per year.)

	If there are others in my church or organization that want to participate in the conference, do we all need to register?
	Yes, please. Just as everyone would register to attend a traditional conference, everyone is expected to register individually to attend the online conference. We have kept the registration fee at a minimum to enable more than one person to attend from any organization. Also, everyone needs to register individually to receive continuing education credit.

	How do I register?
	To register online simply click on one of the links below.

Member Registration

Non-Member Registration

Membership Information