Submission deadline is February 1st!

Click here for more guidelines and more information.

The first topic is "Exploring Quality in Online Education"

In the online education domain, quality has always been a pressing issue, as many have challenged and continue to challenge the quality of online learning. Quality has also been central to the Sloan-C mission from its inception; it is thus fitting that the first Sloan-C symposium will explore issues of quality in online learning. It is more than fitting that it will be hosted by Dr. Frank Mayadas, founder of the Sloan Consortium and author of its five pillars of quality, which are as relevant today as they were when online education was first introduced by a few pioneering institutions. Frank will be joined by Dr. Kay Shattuck, Director of Research for Quality Matters who will address issues of quality in the design of online courses; Dr. Wally Boston, President and CEO of American University Systems (APUS), who will consider quality in course implementation and explain how his organization uses learning analytics to insure quality; and Dr. Meg Benke, Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs of Empire State College who will discuss what quality means in the assessment of transfer and life experience credits.

Click here for more information on all the symposia topics.

Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

We invite you to submit a proposal for the 5th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium in Las Vegas.

The Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium, a joint Symposium of Sloan Consortium and MERLOT, is designed to bring together individuals interested in the review and evaluation of online teaching and learning technologies.

Faculty, students, instructional designers, instructional technologists and academic administrators are encouraged to submit proposals which are engaging, informative and interactive. These sessions can be targeted to all attendees or beginners, intermediates, and experts.

The symposium, focusing on the technologies, networking and systems that drive online learning effectiveness will accept presentations that offer attendees "real solutions." Symposium tracks highlight and demonstrate research, application and effective practices and noteworthy technological tools in the following areas:

Proposals for presentations must be submitted by March 5, 2012 at http://sloanconsortium.org/et4online/call_for_presentations.

Why Join Us in Las Vegas?

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.

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.

New this Year: Interactive Workshops Included in the Regular Conference Program

We are excited to offer workshops as a new feature of the 2012 symposium. Rather than paying an additional fee for pre-conference workshops as in past years, this year’s ET4OL Symposium offers Wednesday morning workshops as part of the regular conference program and at no additional fee. A wide variety of 90 and 180 minute workshops will be available to all conference attendees without the additional cost.

Online registration opens later this month. Sign-up for conference updates to receive news and periodic updates.

Join your colleagues at the 9th Annual Sloan Consortium Blended Learning Conference and Workshop, "Perfecting the Blend", as we problem-solve, exchange ideas, and explore effective strategies about blended learning. This year’s conference theme, "Perfecting the Blend," reflects our current efforts to further explore the blending of the student experience through practice and research while harnessing the potential of new and emerging technologies, pedagogies, and practices in a greater array of educational institutions facilitating an overall improvement in the state of education.

Attendees will be able to attend two days of sessions including interactive workshops, information sessions, poster sessions, a plenary session, and a keynote address, all focused on instructional practices, academic planning, faculty development, and assessment/evaluation.

Nominations will be accepted beginning in late February or early March.

Updated information will be up soon on the IELOL site.

Questions? Click here to submit them.

January Sloan-C Certificate Graduate of the Month



Silvia Braidic one of the Sloan-C Certificate Program Graduates and remains active within the program as a mentor. During the program she found the experience a wonderful opportunity to engage with individuals from various backgrounds and experiences, while working with a personal mentor to achieve her learning goals. The program challenged her thinking and provided her with various resources and learning opportunities to help her become a better teacher in the online learning environment. Learn more about Silvia.

January Facilitator of the Month



Bethany Bovard is our Facilitator of the Month. Bethany facilitates the Introduction to Second Life workshop as well as continues her responsibilities as a consultant for the Sloan-C Institute as an Instructional Designer and Track Chair. She also just led the charge to upgrade the Sloan-C Institute’s learning management platform to help bring the Sloan-C Institute workshop series to you in 2012. Learn more about Bethany.

Join us for the first in a monthly series: The Sloan-C Institute Certificate Meet-N-Learn Webinar.

This event is a great way to stay in touch with Sloan-C and network with fellow Sloan-C Certificate for Teaching and Improving Online Course graduates and current participants.

For the first session, our topic will focus on best practices for discussion online.

Turning Knowledge Into Action – Contextual Learning and Natural Assessment - January 18, 2012 2:00 - 3:30PM ET