The following conferences may be of interest to the readers of the Quarterly Review of Distance Education. Recommendations for conferences to be listed in future issues may be sent to: burmeist@nova.edu
ACUTA 36th Annual Conference and Exhibition: July 29-August 2, 2007, Hollywood, FL: Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa The Association for Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education (ACUTA) has as its theme “Building the Foundation for Learning.” The entire conference program is available for download. http://www.acuta.org/events/annual_conference/sce07.cfm
Campus Technology 2007: July 30-August 2, Washington, DC: Renaissance Hotel “At Campus Technology 2007, you’ll hear from, and have access to, innovators and experts in higher education technology—leaders who have examined the strategies and tactics essential to growth, and who are forging new paths with the application and implementation of technology. Interactive sessions and dynamic panel presentations will explore real-world solutions.” The theme for the conference is “Roadmap to Leadership.” http://www.campustechnology.com/conferences/summer2007/index.asp
Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning: August 8-10, 2007, Madison, WI: Monona Terrace Convention Center “The Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning is recognized internationally for the quality and integrity of its program. Each year the conference provides an exchange of current resources, research, and best practices, from around the world, relevant to the design and delivery of distance education/training. The conference program offers three keynotes and more than 150 concurrent sessions, workshops, forums, and course design showcases.” http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference
IT (Internet Telephony) Expo West: September 10-12, 2007, Los Angeles: Los Angeles Convention Center “ITEXPO is the event with an educational program that teaches enterprises, SMBs, and Government Agencies how to select and deploy IP-based voice, video, fax, and unified communications. It’s where service providers learn how to profitably roll out services their subscribers are clamoring for. The vibrant Exhibit Hall features solutions for enterprises, SMBs, government and service providers. ITEXPO is where buyers, sellers, resellers, and manufacturers meet to forge relationships and close deals.” http://www.tmcnet.com/ims/expo/
7th WSEAS International Conference on Distance Learning and Web Engineering (DIWEB ’07): September 15-17, Beijing, China: Beijing Jiaotong University This conference features a wide array of presentations on a great many topics. The conference Web site is very comprehensive and features much about the conference, proposals to present as well as many beautiful photographs of the country that may inspire you to attend! http://wseas.org/conferences/2007/china/miv/
Beyond Boundaries: Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning: October 4-5, 2007, Grand Forks, ND: Memorial Union University of North Dakota Grand Forks “The conference is an outgrowth of the University’s strategic plan, which recognizes the critical role information technology plays in instructional and research missions. Information technology has taken a central role in our institutions of higher education by enhancing teaching and learning, expanding the accessibility of student services, adding efficiency and effectiveness to our business operations, and making all of our programs more accessible. With this conference, it is our hope to explore and share insights and best practices in the use of information technology. It is through the exchange of ideas and experiences that we will be better able to understand and utilize information technology to meet our institutional needs and missions.” http://www.beyondboundaries.info/
21st Century Education: The Real and the Ideal: October 9-10, 2007, Fort Collins, CO: Fort Collins Hilton “The Center for Internet Research (TCFIR), in concert with Colorado State University is hosting “21st Century Education—The Real and the Ideal”, a conference focused on “what’s next” in the social/cultural, methodological, and technological dimensions of education. The conference theme speaks to the need for a realistic appraisal of the state of education and reform efforts, and what present realities indicate for the future, coupled with constructive and well-informed speculation about how change in education can be better managed to serve the need of students, educators, parents, industry, and society as a whole; the real and the ideal. At the heart of this conference is a project in the early stages of planning for the development of next-generation, accredited K-12 computer-aided teaching and learning environment (CAT/L) which will incorporate the best of what we presently know. More than an attempt at another “online education system”, this project will address the situated, contextual problem of education from a holistic and cross-disciplinary perspective. The thesis underlying this project is that previous attempts at “education reform” have met with difficulties because solutions have not been adequately integrated into, or accounted for, the total social system of education. Therefore, technology in education, while desirable because of numerous potential benefits, cannot be limited in scope to superior content, assessment methodology, lesson-planning, parental involvement, or accountability but must address all of these needs and more. In addition, the technological concept underlying this project do not attempt to eliminate classrooms or teachers but focus instead on helping teachers and students do more with better results. In this context, technology must be made to serve people and facilitate what people do best, in practicable, adaptive, streamlined ways.” http://education-2007.org/
E-Learn 2007: October 15-19, Quebec, Canada: Hilton Quebec “E-Learn provides the only forum for serious minded education, government, healthcare and business professionals to discuss issues, research, development, strategies, and new technologies, and most importantly, identify solutions to meet the challenges of online learning. E-Learn is THE essential resource to make international connections for collaboration with others who may share similar problems as well as those offering solutions. E-Learn truly is an example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts as a forum where ideas and experiences from around the world are readily exchanged in a supportive culture that is nurtured at this conference.” http://www.aace.org/conf/elearn/
MLearn 2007: 6th International Conference on Mobile Learning: October 16-19, Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Center “Australia, through the efforts of a small group of enthusiastic professionals, holds a leading position in the development of mobile learning. The MLearn 2007 Conference presents an opportunity for researchers, educators, students, technologists, practitioners and industry professionals to come together to share knowledge and experience, engage in global perspectives and contribute to development and progress in mobile learning technology. This conference will appeal to a wide range of audiences who are interested in enhancing learning, designing content and developing systems for mobile devices and wireless networks.” http://www.mlearn2007.org/
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference: October 23-26, 2007, Seattle, WA: Washington State Convention & Trade Center “Focused on the theme “Information Futures: Aligning Our Missions,” the diverse program offers a variety of ways to gather information, meet with peers in the higher education IT community, and hear from leading figures in the field—including preconference seminars; track and poster sessions; small group meetings; and corporate exhibits, presentations, and workshops.” http://www.educause.edu/conference/annual/2007
AECT International Conference: October 23-27, 2007, Anaheim, CA: Hyatt Regency Orange County “AECT members represent a unique cross-section of professionals, educators and students who work to improve teaching and learning in a variety of contexts through innovations that bring together theory and practice. The 2007 AECT Convention, Learning Within the Kaleidoscope: A Culture of Technology, will provide attendees the opportunity for professional development and rejuvenation in beautiful California.” http://www.aect.org/events/Anaheim/
WCET 19th Annual Conference: November 7-10, 2007, Atlanta, GA: Omni Hotel CNN Center “With the theme E-Learning in Higher Education: Making Good on the Promises, the program is exceptional both in the breadth of topics as well as in the scope and depth of the experienced slate of presenters” on topics that include “a full menu of sessions promising to appeal to all: emerging and innovative technologies, providing services to promote student retention and academic success, designing quality e-learning programs, national/international trends impacting e-learning, and institutional policies and practices in support of e-learning.” http://conference.wcet.info/2007/
13th Sloan-C International Conference on Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALN): November 7-9, 2007, Orlando, FL: Caribe Royale “This conference, which will provide the latest information on asynchronous learning programs, processes, packages, and protocols, is geared to both experienced professionals and interested newcomers to online learning who hail from a variety of work sectors, including higher education, continuing education, business, government, health care, professional associations, and nonprofit organizations. It is especially designed to meet the needs of college-level faculty, instructional technology and media professionals, instructional designers, and trainers in public- and private-sector organizations.” http://www.ce.ucf.edu/asp/aln/
6th WSEAS International Education and Educational Technology (EDU07) Conference: November 21-23, 2007, Venice, Italy This conference features a wide array of presentations on a great many topics. The conference Web site is very comprehensive and features much about the conference, proposals to present as well as many beautiful photographs of the country that may inspire you to attend! http://wseas.org/conferences/2007/venice/edu/
Kaleidoscope 2007 Symposium: Defining the Scientific Evolution of Technology Enhanced Learning: November 26-27, Berlin, Germany: Hotel InterContinental “The Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence brings together over 90 research labs and institutions and more than 1000 researchers from across Europe and Canada. During the 2007 Kaleidoscope Symposium we present the tangible outcomes of work undertaken over the last four years, and we invite you to help define the future of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL). The symposium will enable participants to: appreciate the impact Kaleidoscope has made, and could continue to make within research in TEL, understand how research communities define and communicate excellence and envisage what the implications of this could be, and explore and shape plans for the continuity of TEL research agendas in Europe The first day will offer opportunities for examining current research trends and outline the latest scientific achievements in the field. Leading researchers from a wide variety of disciplines will demonstrate the impact of their work, providing evidence of integration and excellence. The second day is an opportunity for a wide-ranging audience, from end-users and educationalists to those in business and policy to make their contribution to shaping the scientific evolution of TEL. Key questions include: What, from their point of view, is the contribution and value of TEL research? How might new synergies evolve between these groups to move the TEL research agenda forward? Findings outlined on the first day will contribute to discussions and workshops held on the second.” http://www.noe-kaleidoscope.org/group/symposium/
Online Educa Berlin: November 28-30, 2007, Berlin: Hotel InterContinental “Online Educa Berlin brings together the top professionals and experts in technology-supported learning and training of all sectors: corporate training, higher and professional education, compulsory education and lifelong learning. Each year Online Educa Berlin provides an exchange of current best practice, resources and research, as well as the setting for the world’s largest international gathering of e-learning practitioners, policymakers, suppliers and stakeholders.” http://www.online-educa.com/
4th International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society: January 18-20, 2008, Boston, MA: Northeastern University “The Technology Conference is held annually in different locations around the world. The Technology Conference is a participants’ conference, including numerous parallel sessions. The conference organising committee is inviting proposals to present 30 minute papers, or 60 minute workshops or 90 minute colloquium sessions. These can be academic or research papers, or presentations describing educational initiatives.” http://technology-conference.com/
Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC): January 22-25, 2008, Orlando, FL, Orange County Convention Center “FETC is one of the largest, most successful conferences in the United States devoted to educational technology. The conference program is designed so educators and administrators have an opportunity to learn how to integrate different technologies across the curriculum—from kindergarten to college—while being exposed to the latest hardware, software and successful strategies on student technology use. FETC is designed for teachers, principals and deans, district administrators, curriculum designers, media specialists, technology directors and various other educators.” http://www.fetc.org/fetc2007/index.cfm
Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference: February 11-12, 2008, Hershey, PA: Hershey Lodge and Convention Center “You are invited to submit a proposal to conduct a conference presentation for the 2008 Pennsylvania Educational Technology Exposition & Conference. Individuals representing all academic disciplines and all phases of technology and education are welcome to submit proposals for sixty-minute presentations.” Presentation topics include but are not limited to the following: emerging technologies, instructional strategies/best practices, learning environments and distance learning/course management, technology and ethics, and technology leadership. http://www.peteandc.org/
Annual State Technology Conference PETE & C: February 24-26, 2008, Roanoke, VA: Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center Cosponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and the Office of Educational Technology, this conference is the “only statewide technology conference in Virginia. Over 1,200 attendees are excited each year by cutting edge technology sessions and workshops. We promise to overwhelm you with information, opportunities, knowledge and activities. In two and a half days, you can select from over 100 concurrent sessions and 40 optional ticketed hands-on workshops. Visit our exhibitors and gather information on state of the art opportunities for education. While our conference expands and grows each year, we also have a great tradition of items that attendees have come to appreciate. Two meals are included in your registration each day (Monday & Tuesday). Breaks are also included all days.” http://www.vste.org/conference.html
O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference: March 3-8, 2008, San Diego, CA “The O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference looks at what’s here while keeping an eye firmly trained on what’s coming. ETech balances pie-in-the-sky theorizing with practical, real-world information and conversation.” http://conferences.oreillynet.com/et2007/
Technology & Persons With Disabilities Conference: March 10-15, 2008, Los Angeles, CA The 2008 conference keynote speaker will be Jim Fruchterman, one of the leading innovators in the field of assistive technology. Over 4000 attendees, speakers and exhibitors attended the 2007 conference and plans for the 2008 conference are being developed and the Web site will be updated. http://www.csun.edu/cod/
2008 Nonprofit Technology Conference: March 19-21, 2008, New Orleans, LA This conference is in the planning stage. The 2007 conference connected 1200 people who selected from more than 100 breakout sessions. The Web site will be updated but currently features links to presentations, handouts, and videocasts from 2007 in Washington, DC. http://www.nten.org/ntc
TxDLA Conference: March 24-27, 2008, Galveston Island, TX “TxDLA is a non-profit association formed to promote the development and application of all forms of distance learning and to implement effective distance learning strategies for Texans and other distance learning practitioners of the global community.” The theme for the conference is “Sail into Distance Learning.” http://www.txdla.org/
