10 Most Frequently Asked Questions at NOLA Annual Meeting 2011 Reg Booth

While working at the Graduate Student booth at AERA 2011 for Division C, these were the questions our Division reps came across frequently:

 #1: Will I get into trouble if I walk in late?

Definitely! There's an AERA latecomers' patrol squad! :) Just kidding. Let's just say you won't get into trouble because participants have to travel, sometimes a fair bit to get from one venue to another. However, when you are late, please be as minimally disruptive as you can. Of course, you don't want to be too late and miss most of the session.

 #2: What is a "division session"?

"There are 12 divisions within AERA. Each division focuses on broad substantive or professional interests, ranging from administration and curriculum to teacher education and education policy and politics." (More details here: https://www.aera.net/divisions/Default.aspx?menu_id=62&id=179). A "division session" is one that is planned by the division and thus aligned with their substantive and professional interests.  

 #3: Where can I find a dissertation writing session?

This is a difficult question! : ) Correct me if I'm wrong, someone? Please contact me if you know of any, ywkreher@syr.edu. There isn't any formal dissertation writing session planned at the AERA Annual Meeting. However, there are two suggestions:

1. Attend some Graduate Student Council sessions and talk to other students:-

Orientation to the Annual Meeting and Networking for Graduate Students   
Session Submission Type: Fireside Chat
Unit: Graduate Student Council
Scheduled Time: Fri, Apr 13 - 12:00pm - 1:30pm,
Building/Room: Vancouver Convention Center / West Room 211

GSC Chair Fireside Chat: Demystifying the Publishing Process: Insights From Journal Editors on Writing, Editing, and Revising Manuscripts for Submission   
Session Submission Type: Fireside Chat
Unit: Graduate Student Council
Scheduled Time: Mon, Apr 16 - 2:15pm - 3:45pm
Building/Room: Vancouver Convention Center / West Room 211

2. Search the AERA Online Program. Go to the Papers tab > Under Unit Type, do not select any Unit; under Session Title, enter "dissertation". A list of paper and roundtable sessions on dissertation writing and the experience will show up.

 #4: What is a paper presentation?

"In paper sessions, authors present abbreviated versions of their papers, followed by comment/critique by a discussant and audience discussion. In general, program chairs should plan on featuring four to five papers in a Paper Session.  A typical structure for a session with four or five papers offers approximately 5 minutes for the chair to introduce the session, 12 minutes per author presentation, 12 minutes of critique by discussant(s), and 15 minutes of discussion with panel and audience." More details on Description and Format of AERA Session Types may be found here: http://www.aera.net/Default.aspx?id=6554#description

 #5: Can I go to a business meeting?

Sure thing! There are open business meetings run by every Division and SIG (Special Interest Groups).

 #6: Does an "invited" session mean you have to be invited to go?

No, it just means that the speaker was "invited" or, the Division was invited to submit a session.

 #7: Where do I get a certificate of attendance (usually asked by international attendees who need evidence of attendance)?

Please proceed to the AERA Office at the Vancouver HQ. For the 2012 Annual Meeting the primary site of the Annual Meeting is the Vancouver Convention Center. The headquarter hotels where sessions will be held are the Fairmont Waterfront, Marriott Pinnacle, Pan Pacific and Sheraton Wall Centre. Check back later for more details and confirmation.

 #8: Are there "parties" where I can meet other graduate students?

There are GSC networking sessions, Division and SIG business meetings, receptions and/socials.

 #9: Can you tell me how I can meet [insert name of academic idol here]?

Please search the online program now or you can check iPhone/Android/paper manual for "People" who are attending/presenting at the Annual Meeting.

 #10: How do I download a paper from the repository?

The AERA Online Paper Repository houses research papers in development. Currently, its content consists of an archival record of all scientific presentations, from 2010 forward, at AERA Annual Meetings and full-text papers voluntarily contributed to the repository by Annual Meeting presenters. The Repository is an opportunity to distribute research more broadly, and AERA encourages all presenters to make available to the repository their full-text papers.

If you are an AERA member or a registrant for the 2010 or 2011 annual meetings, click on AERA Member Login at the top left to log in to your account and then click on Online Paper Repository under Member Benefits to enter. Members and registrants may access the repository’s metadata and full-text papers.

More details here: http://www.aera.net/repository/

Some 3 months or so after the Annual Meeting, an announcement will be made on the AERA homepage announcing that the online repository for the latest annual meeting is available. You can also follow AERA's Twitter account for the latest update: @AERA_EdResearch


Acknowledgements: I wish to thank our former Div C Senior Rep (2010-2011), Ms. Janice Hansen, for compiling the questions!

Navigating Your First AERA

It’s true, I cried when I was handed my first AERA printed program. Everything seemed so huge and overwhelming: The number of workshops, the number of people, the size and scope of the whole affair. Now a seasoned veteran, I have a few tips for the first-timer.  

1. Keep it in perspective – Honestly, you don’t get extra credit for cramming in every presentation you can. Choose to attend those that you find most intriguing. For those you miss, access the online paper repository later.  

2. Take advantage of your student status – Is there a senior researcher you’ve been dying to meet? Respectfully introduce yourself after their presentation. Visit the Graduate Student Resource Center (and find out the free snack schedule). Attend graduate-student oriented workshops and socials (scroll through this blog or visit the Resource Center to find out more about these).  

3. Visit the vendors – Books, software, journals – it’s all in the exhibit area. Also, many of the exhibitors put their material on sale in the final hours of AERA, so be sure to ask!  

4. Don’t forget about poster sessions – These are a great place to network. Find others whose research aligns with yours and exchange business cards. Who knows, you could find a great new colleague!  

5. Have fun!! – AERA takes place in some of the most fabulous cities in North America. Nobody expects you to spend all day every day cooped up inside. Take one of the offered tours, participate in an AERA sponsored volunteer project, set aside time sight-seeing. Part of expanding your mind is expanding your horizons. See what the host city has to offer!

2011 Headquarter Hotels

For a quick refresh, the 2011 Annual Meeting co-headquarter hotels are the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton. Other hotels where sessions will be held include Astor Crowne Plaza, Double Tree, JW Marriott, and Hotel Monteleone. In addition to the AERA headquarter hotels, the Westin is the headquarter hotel for NCME.

The Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) is at the Astor Crowne Plaza, St. Charles Ballroom.

The Welcome/Registration Booth is at the Sheraton, Napoleon Foyer Third Level.

Tell us! How do you survive a HUGE conference?

(Copyright) Kreher, Y. W. Not to be used without permission.

What are things to do or bring to AERA Annual Meetings to make new friends and facilitate future collaborations?

1. "Business" Cards! There are templates available online and you can also use the ones available in MS Publisher. Make sure they are professional looking.

2. Attend Division/SIG/University business meetings and socials. Some friends said to me, "But you are so sociable! I'm not!" For tips on how to survive conferences for introverts, check out The Introverted Nerd's Conference Survival Guide. An AERA conference can be overwhelming but I find that if I go to any conference with the attitude to learn and make friends, things become a little less overwhelming.Also, the way out of one's discomfort zone is to act and think less about it. :)

3.Wear business attire - be casually elegant. Look professional. No jeans in my humble opinion! No flip flops or slippers please.

4. Prepare and rehearse your "elevator speech". People -- faculty and peers -- will want to know who you are, what you do and what your dissertation is about. Be ready to tell your short story. Articulate it in the time it takes the elevator to move from the bottom to the top floor -- metaphorically -- and without jargon because the people you meet may not come from your discipline.

What else? Tell us your experience and we'll be happy to add to this list!