Sloan-C Now - February 2011
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Dear Educator: Please take a moment to review this month's Sloan-C NOW, a digest of events, information and notices of importance you won't want to miss.
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Call for Proposals Now Open: 17th Annual Sloan Consortium Intl Conference on Online Learning 17th Annual Sloan Consortium Intl Conference on Online Learning The Sloan Consortium invites you to submit a proposal for presentation and/or workshops for the 17th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning to be held November 16–18, 2011 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The theme of this year’s conference is "Online Learning, Teaching, and Research in the New Media Ecology." It’s clear we are witnessing rapid and ongoing changes in how we communicate and represent ideas and these changes have profound consequence for how we know, learn, think, and teach in higher education and beyond. The dizzying pace of change is evident as established conventions of online education are now challenged by emerging means of access, such as mobile and cloud computing, new forms of communication such as video streaming and real-time information networks, and innovative modes of participation represented in new social media. Millions of online students are at the forefront of this evolving landscape and it’s crucial we gain a clear understanding of pedagogies, policies, and practices that leverage the new media ecology to support our students learning. Our understanding needs to be rooted in solid research that can promote best practices. We are confident that this year’s conference will create opportunities for learning, networking, and sharing that will make this a reality. Our keynote and plenary speakers each have a unique perspective on the promises and pitfalls of the new media ecology. Lee Raine, Director of the Pew Internet and American Life Project has vast experience in studying the impacts of the digital age on the citizens of the United States. His insights on topics ranging from the digital divide, health, safety, gaming, teens, and social networking in the age of the internet will provide breadth in our investigation of the new media ecology for learning. Additionally, Cable Green, Director of eLearning and Open Education for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges will help us to focus in depth on the new Open Educational Resources movement which inevitably leads to discussions of the crucial topic of the economics of higher education. Cable’s participation also marks the opening of a new track in the 2011 conference dedicated to issues surrounding Open Educational Resources. Adding another dimension to our theme is cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf, author of Proust and the Squid, who will share with us her research on the transition from a reading brain to an increasingly digital one. This work holds promise in illuminating the evolution of human intelligence, and the choices we might face in shaping that future through online education. We eagerly anticipate your participation in this year’s meeting. We firmly believe that the theme and speakers we have identified are timely and essential and we look forward to your contributions. The many forums for participation include both face-to-face and online modes. Our new venue, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin featuring the Mandara Spa, 17 spectacular restaurants and lounges, five pools, a white sand beach and much more promises to be a well-appointed backdrop to the stimulating conversations at this year’s event. We urge you to attend the premier annual gathering of professionals concerned with the future of online education. The conference strongly encourages presentation and workshop proposals that reflect the implications for the field of specific e-learning experience and practices. We are looking for proposals that are innovative and cutting edge and will provide important take-aways for participants. Proposals that address blended learning, issues of diversity, international applications of online learning, open educational resources, social networking, online learning and community colleges, and K-12 online education are especially encouraged. Last year’s conference attracted 1200+ onsite and over 250 virtual participants to more than 230 presentations, as well as 60 exhibits, 40 vendor showcase sessions, 18 total pre- and post-conference workshops, keynote and plenary addresses, and a variety of other special events. Proposals must be submitted by May 2, 2011 Conference tracks highlight and demonstrate research, application and effective practices in the following areas:
(* The OER track is a new addition to the 2011 Program.) To submit a proposal or for additional information on the conference, visit our website at www.sloanconsortium.org/aln , call (781) 583-7561, or email conference@sloanconsortium.org. |
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Emerging Technologies for Online Learning (ET4OL) International Symposium 4th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium
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2011 Sloan-C Webinars Sloan-C has added webinars to its resources for educators. Webinars typically last anywhere from a half hour to an hour and a half. Most are free to Individual Members. Institutional members and non members pay a separate fee. New webinars will be added soon. Check the webinar site frequently. FREE Sponsored Webinars FREE - Live Preview of the 8th Annual Sloan-C Blended Learning Conference and Workshop - February 24th, 2011 2:00 - 3:00 ET Learn more about the 8th Annual Blended Learning Conference and Workshop taking place March 28-29, 2011 in Oak Brook (Chicago), IL. Hear about the importance of blended learning in the education community and learn more about the conference, including program content, key featured sessions, and track overviews. FREE - Sloan-C Certificate Program - March 9, 2011 2:00 - 3:00 ET Learn more about the 8th Annual Blended Learning Conference and Workshop taking place March 28-29, 2011 in Oak Brook (Chicago), IL. Hear about the importance of blended learning in the education community and learn more about the conference, including program content, key featured sessions, and track overviews. Dealing with Difficult Students and Sensitive Topics in your Cultural Diversity Online Course - March 2, 2011 2:00 - 3:30 ET This presentation offers key strategies and techniques on how to deal with sensitive diversity topics and issues in an online course. Some of these topics will include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and religion.) Instructional Audio & Video: Strategies, Tips, and Considerations - March 15th, 2011 2:00 - 3:30 ET In this webinar, you will learn about easy-to-use technologies to create audio and video, about instructional design strategies for making audio and video educationally effective, and about copyright and accessibility issues. Proof and Possibility for the iPad in Higher Education - March 23, 2011 2:00 - 3:30 ET This webinar will introduce the findings and research of institutions with mobile learning initiatives. Participants will learn of a schema of education apps to facilitate a deeper understanding of the iPad. They will learn about the iPad as an accessible device (out of the box) and as paired-hardware that extends the usefulness of the device for the sight- and hearing-impaired. Participants will be introduced to free- and commercial-based software that enables faculty to develop and distribute their own eBook content. Finally, individuals will learn of similarities and differences between the current leader, the iPad, and new tablets coming to market. Online Learning – How is it changing the K12 Educational Landscape? - May 11, 2011 3:00 - 4:30 ET How is online learning changing the K12 educational landscape? Julie Young, President and CEO of Florida Virtual School will explain the positive impact that online learning is making in K12 public school. Young will profile programs that serve as encouraging models for wider reform, while highlighting the unique challenges and benefits in K12 vs. post-secondary learning. For more information or to register, please go to the webinar page. View recordings of previous webinars. |
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JALN Call for papers on Innovations in Online Education for Military and Veteran Students and Families The Sloan Consortium Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks calls for papers on Innovations in Anytime Anywhere Military Education. The aim of the issue is to describe innovations in online education that are designed to respond to the educational needs of active-duty and veteran service people and their families. This issue aims to provide readers with innovative practices in:
Questions about submissions or abstracts for consideration may be sent to editors:
Please post submissions or apply to review manuscripts at http://jaln.sloanconsortium.org. |
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Conference on Cyberlearning Tools for STEM Education (CyTSE) March 8-9, 2011 Bringing together researchers, developers and K-12 STEM educators who want to use new cyberlearning tools to engage and educate the current net-savvy generation about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) The detailed agenda and session information is available at: http://cyberlearningstem.org/agenda/. |
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*Join the Sloan Consortium on Linkedin, Twitter & Facebook* Stay connected with The Sloan Consortium and its members through the Sloan-C networking groups on Twitter and Linkedin. Learn what others in online education are doing as well as receive news and conference updates from the Sloan Consortium. Follow us on |
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2011 Sloan-C Membership - More Benefits, Same Price Please consider joining the Sloan-C community in 2011. The Sloan Consortium is a self sustaining nonprofit and needs support from you to keep on offering great resources, workshops, and events in the field of online learning. We continue to institute many new member benefits and options based on input from our members and friends in the community. Membership is rolling (no longer based on a calendar year) and new workshops, free webinars, and practitioner documents are added throughout the year. Membership includes full web access to effective practices, the JALN, discounted/free webinars, practitioner docs, discounts on workshops, conferences and much more. Click here for more details. |
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2011 Sloan-C Workshop Deadline Reminders Academic Integrity in Online Education Academic integrity is an important issue for all of higher education, and of particular interest to the distance education community, given changing expectations of accreditors. All members of the educational community—faculty and staff members, administrators, and students—play a role in creating a culture of integrity. This session will explore the history of and trends in cheating and plagiarism in higher education; concerns specific to distance education; suggested techniques for campuses, departments, and classrooms; and technology tools. The workshop leaders will share both practical information and research data. Dynamic Collaboration, Discussion, and Facilitation Practices In the online classroom, interaction prompts more interaction by stimulating more perspectives, points of view, ideas, questions, and disagreements. Through collaboration and discussion, both facilitators and students help each other in the learning process. Great Web 2.0 Tools to Improve Learning There are many excellent Web 2.0 tools that have been used successfully to enhance learning and increase engagement, but finding just the right tools can be challenging. You will be introduced to five exemplar tools. You will learn how to effectively use these tools. |
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