Ithra’s Learning Beyond Conference is the pioneering creative learning conference in the MENA region. It is a multifaceted platform that provides its audience with access to creative industry professionals who specialize in innovative, unconventional and informal learning methods — because it’s not about what you learn, but how you learn it.

Through its different offerings, from interactive panel discussions, to intensive workshops, to intimate roundtable sessions with global experts, to immersive experiences activated across Ithra’s facilities, Learning Beyond demonstrates a range of innovative learning best practices to its attendees, with the goal of providing them with lifelong tools to forge stronger connections with their intended audiences, whether they are children, students, clients or customers. 
 

In 2024, the Learning Beyond conference will shed a light on informal learning practices through the lens of storytelling. 

Lifelong learning:

• Learning tools: identifying creative tools that can be used in different environments to support learning
• Learning strategies: introducing innovative techniques for learning and their different applications
• Learning styles: exploring different individual and collective approaches to learning

Learning environments:

• Imagination room: expanding on the conventional idea of a classroom and identifying ways to turn it into a fun, productive and creative learning space
• Beyond books: encouraging learners to learn through different experiences and interactions that go beyond text
• Social spaces: exploring the benefit of social spaces and their positive impact on the learning process

Friday, January 19, 1:00 – 10:00 p.m.  
Saturday, January 20, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. 

King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

December 16, 2023

Thursday January 18, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Friday January 19, 2024 from 1:00– 10:00 p.m.
Saturday January 20, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm.
 

The Learning Beyond Conference was designed to engage educators, teachers, parents, content developers, intellectuals, life-long learners and education entrepreneurs. The conference will be conducted in both English and Arabic.

• Workshops
• Keynotes
• Beyond Talks
• Panel discussions
• Beyond Sessions
• Story with an Expert gatherings
• Immersive experiences
• Film screenings with Q/A
• Book signings with Q/A

 Workshops are sold separately from the passes. They are not included in any of the conference pass packages

No.

• Opening Ceremony
• One keynote speech
• Beyond Talks
• Panel discussions
• Beyond Sessions
• Story with an Expert gatherings
• Interactive Learning Experience
• Film screening with Q/A
• Book signings with Q/A

• One keynote speech
• Beyond Talks
• Panel discussions
• Beyond Sessions
• Story with an Expert gatherings
• Interactive Learning Experience
• Film screening with Q/A
• Book signings with Q/A
• Closing ceremony

• Opening ceremony
• Two keynotes speech
• Beyond Talks
• Panel discussions
• Beyond Sessions
• Story with an Expert gatherings
• Interactive Learning Experience
• Film screening with Q/A
• Book signings with Q/A
• Closing ceremony
   

Similar to a TED Talk, a Beyond Talk is a 45-minute session with a solo speaker. Unlike a TED Talk, a Beyond Talk directly engages the attendee through demonstrations or interactive experiences conducted by the speaker. A Beyond Talk is located in either the theater, which can seat 800 attendees, or the cinema, which accommodates up to 350 attendees. Beyond Talks held in the theater have available translations so they are suitable for both English speakers and Arabic speakers, while Beyond Talks held in the cinema are conducted in English only.

A Beyond Session is a dynamic 90-minute roundtable-style session conducted by an expert or creative professional. The location of Beyond Sessions will vary on the topic of the session, as some might take place in the Children’s Museum, some in the Theater, some in the Ithra Tower, some in the exhibits, etc. A Beyond Session includes quick-paced activities and exercises that will leave the attendee with a mental tool kit of informal learning methods ready for implementation, but will not result in a tangible product at the end of the session. The capacity of a Beyond Session is 15-20 participants. The language of the session will be indicated on the website.

Located in the Idea Lab Show Tank, a Story with an Expert gathering is an intimate talk between a creative expert/professional and the attendees. Attendees are able to connect with the expert/professional of their chosen field and listen to stories of their career, how they faced challenges, created opportunities for success and influenced their industry. A Story with an Expert gathering is 60 minutes long. The gatherings are for groups of no larger than 30 attendees. The language of the gathering will be indicated on the website.

Unlike talks, seminars or workshops, an Immersive Experience engulfs the attendee in an engaging 360 activity with the aim of inspiring attendees to approach education and learning in an unconventional, out of the box way. Immersive Experiences will be guided and narrated by the inventors of those experiences, where attendees are able to freely ask questions and take notes. There will be a selection of Immersive Experiences activated all across Ithra’s facilities. The language of the Immersive Experience will be indicated on the website.

A structure-based program focusing on a topic or a theme with measurable objectives that might involve creation of tangible products. It either sparks interest in a new selected topic or supports existing content. Some workshops have a duration of 90 minutes, while others are two - three hours. One workshop will take place over both days. The language of the workshop will be indicated on the website.

A number of experts meet and participate in a moderated structured discussion on a selected topic or theme. The duration of the entire discussion will be approximately 60 minutes. Panel discussions will take place across Ithra’s facilities, some of which include: the Theater, the Library, Giuseppe Penone’s Source of Light installation and the Cinema. The language of the panel discussion will be indicated on the website.

An author will read or speak about their book, hold a Q/A session, and then proceed to a signing session. The duration of the entire session is 30 minutes. The language of the book signing will be indicated on the website.

You will have the option to purchase the book during the session, or you can bring your own copy to sign.

Located at the Cinema, a short film will be screened, followed by a Q/A session with the company behind the film. The Cinema can hold up to 315 attendees. The language of the film and Q/A will be indicated on the website.

Yes. Attendees will be able to organize their agendas during the Orientation session or the registration periods. There will be dedicated Information Stations available to help assist you in planning your agenda.

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