Thursday, December 20, 2007

Technology, Colleges and Community Online Conference

I live in Canada and these days everywhere I look, I see snow. There is about 3 feet of snow outside and I have been shoveling dutifully for several days. You might ask, what do I think about when I'm shoveling? Well, this morning, I was thinking about Hawaii. Wouldn't it be great to go to Hawaii? Where there's no snow! Well, it's a bit out of my budget for the moment; however, I'm going to Hawaii in another sense this spring. The Technology, Colleges and Community (TCC) Conference is hosted by Kapi'olani Community College, in Honolulu, Hawaii. I've heard some good things about this very unique conference. It's a completely virtual conference. All the presenters and attendees stay in their current locations yet everyone joins together in synchronous and asynchronous activities for three days (April 15-17, 2008). Personally I think this is a really great idea!

If you are a college teacher with no budget for conference travels, only $69 USD gets you full access to everything, including the archive of everything presented and recorded for 6 months! Talk about bang for your conference buck! Check out the 2008 Theme:

"TCC will feature papers and general sessions on the continuing evolution of distance learning, online communities and collaboration, social networking, and best practices of instructional technology. [including]:

* Online, hybrid, blended or other modes of technology enhanced learning
* Emerging Internet tools for teaching and learning (blogs, wikis, podcasts, etc)
* Technology applications that facilitate communication and collaboration
* Building and sustaining learning communities
* Instructional models for learning in virtual environments (Second Life, etc)
* Distance learning including mobile learning
* Ubiquitous and life-long learning
* Open content and open source
* E-portfolios and other assessment tools
* Student success and assessment strategies in online learning
* Student orientation and preparation
* Student services online (tutoring, advising, mentoring, career planning, etc)
* Online learning resources (library, learning centers, etc)
* Professional development for faculty and staff
* Accessibility for persons with disabilities
* Gender equity, digital divide, intercultural understanding, and open access
* Managing information technology and change in educational institutions
* Institutional planning and pedagogy catalyzed by technology advances
* Global learning and international education
* Educational technology use around the world"


So, I would like to give special thanks to Mother Nature for making me think of Hawaii this morning. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! See you all next April. (*smile*)

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