Nonverbal Learning Disability & Podcasting 101
"THE ODD BIRD at Microsoft N.E.R.D., Cambridge, MA, USA" by Tracy Heather Strain
Recently, I attended Podcamp Boston, a two-day unconference about podcasting, blogging and other social media platforms that I’ll be using for THE ODD BIRD/NLD Documentary Project. Unconferences are very popular within social media circles these days, because they allow media-makers to come together to share their knowledge with one another for free or at a reasonable cost. Since multimedia is changing rapidly, I’ve been going to a number of these events this year in order to keep up with the latest information. I’ve also been talking to other filmmakers one-on-one, learning new skills and honing old ones so that I can expand this blog into a multimedia production. I even got myself a moderately priced DSLR camera that shoots excellent digital video as well as a microphone, and I’ve been practicing. (My mother’s been a fairly patient practice subject and model.)
I wanted to share with you some of what I learned at Podcamp, because I’m really excited about using this information creatively. Interestingly, I picked up some tips that helped me get around a few of my NLD symptoms there!
Ready to Work: These are some of the tools I carried around with me for two days. All I really needed was the pen and paper, but online access was useful, and caffeinated tea certainly helped compensate for the early morning drive to Cambridge, Massachusetts on Saturday!
The session “How to Make the Most of Podcamp – Even for Introverts” was geared toward anyone who finds networking difficult, but when you have NLD and don’t read body language and facial expressions well, schmoozing can be doubly difficult. Here are some tips I learned about how to network in your own, introverted and perhaps socially awkward way:
- Prepare yourself. In the days before the event, check out the online schedule and list of attendees for professional bio’s and website links. If there’s someone you’d like to meet, send them a brief email telling her/him that you hope to see them there. S/he will remember you, and you might feel more comfortable once you have your face-to-face encounter.
- Don’t join the crowd. At the event, approach the person standing alone and start a conversation. You’ll only have to read body language and facial expressions one person at a time.
- Stand by the food. People love to eat at these kinds of events. While I was snacking, I met a man who has a company that provides services to people with developmental disabilities. He was quite interested in hearing about my project, and we exchanged information. Tracy Heather Strain, one of my executive producers, met a woman who also has NLD. Tracy made sure that we met, and I hope to get together with this individual again very soon. You never know who you’ll encounter!
Really excellent advice for people with NLD at conferences. Thanks
Thank you kindly, Pia!
TOB
The blog is looking great! When can we expect to hear a podcast?
Thank you Nina! I expect to have a podcast up in about 2 months. There’s some prep-work that needs to be done ahead of time. Stay tuned…
TOB
This is really exciting!
Hi Janet:
Yes, I think so too, thanks!
TOB
Having NLD I usually I don’t like pictures embedded in text; but for some reason the pictures in your blog really made for a much more pleasant read.
Good, I’m glad to hear that, Joe. Thanks for letting me know!
TOB
Lillian,
Thank you so much for giving up your weekend to attend PCB6. I’m gleeful to learn that you got some great information out of the event and can’t wait to see the changes as they occur!
I don’t know if you got a chance to connect with Whitney Hoffman at this year’s event, but she does the LD Podcast (Learning Disability Podcast) at http://ldpodcast.com. If not I would love to connect the two of you!
Cheers,
Chel Wolverton
Lead Organizer, Podcamp Boston 6
Hello Chel:
Thanks very much for your comment. I am familiar with LD Podcast—I’ve included a link on my blogroll, but didn’t know that Whitney Hoffman attended Podcamp Boston 6. This is proves that it’s a great idea to check out attendee lists for events to see if there’s someone you’d like to meet. I may have even sat next to her in a session or two and didn’t even know it!
I would love it if you could make an introduction—thanks for the offer. I’m looking forward to attending Podcamp 7 next year!
Best,
TOB