Welcome!

The Sloan Consortium, MERLOT, and our Emerging Technologies steering committee welcome you to The 5th Annual International Symposium for Emerging Technologies for Online Learning hosted for the very first time in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 25-27, 2012.

What started as a small gathering of technology and online professionals has blossomed into one of the best conferences around for examining the application of online and blended tools and instruction. Discoveries in such fields as energy, biotechnology, medicine, space, robotics, physics, transportation, and artificial intelligence continue to propel us towards future breakthroughs for society. Some of these technologies will become the catalyst for new ways to learn or provide learning extensions for our classrooms. It is an exciting time to teach using technology. Technological change is inevitable and remarkable in its pace. Fortunately, online and blended learning instructors are well positioned to take advantage of new technologies and practices. Innovative tools, data analyses, collaborations, social media, mobile applications, open education and new learning environments bring a dazzling array of opportunity to our online classrooms. Together we are discovering how to use these technologies to support and improve learning outcomes for students. The 2012 Symposium for Emerging Technologies for Online Learning offers you an opportunity to share best practices, understand applications, discover new technologies, and connect to others who share a love for and belief in the promise of educational technology.

Our symposium has a new mission statement designed to emphasize the innovation and invention that is the focus of the conference: A conference devoted to the emerging and innovative uses of technology designed to improve teaching and learning online. Tracks for this year’s conference include Digital learning Environments & Communities; Accessible Learning for All; Evidence-based Learning and Reflection; Learning And Data Analytics; Faculty and Student Development; and Innovation in Media and Tools. Woven into the conference program and offered within the structure of the tracks will be special emerging technologies, sandbox, leadership, and STEM sessions.

!!Also new this year!!, we are excited to offer workshops as part of the conference package. Workshops as part of the conference program has been a very popular addition to the Annual Sloan-C Blended Conference and Workshop for the past several years. The success at Blended is the foundation for a similarly designed value-added conference pricing for the Emerging Technologies Symposium.

Las Vegas, Nevada needs no introduction as an exciting conference city. However, you may not realize Las Vegas is home to more than just casinos. Many National Parks surround Las Vegas, including Zion, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Arches, and Bryce Canyon to name just a few. Whether you plan to bring your hiking boots or your high heels, Las Vegas offers exciting venues and vistas to visit prior to or just after the symposium.

Come to Las Vegas this summer. You will learn, have fun, and find many ideas during the 2012 Emerging Technologies Symposium. A big thank you in advance to all who organize, review, volunteer, propose, present, host as vendors, travel, and troubleshoot. The conference is a success because you care about providing the best educational experience and technology for today's student.

Looking forward to see everyone there and remember Vegas Rules apply. :-)

Shari

Shari Smith, 2012 Symposium Chair

This conference is brought to you by The Sloan Consortium in partnership with MERLOT