MCCC Looking for Educators With Their 'Heads in the Cloud'

is looking for proposals for papers, hands-on labs and roundtables from educators with their heads “in the cloud” for its 17th annual Technology and Learning Conference, themed around the concept of cloud computing, which will take place Friday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college’s Central Campus in Blue Bell.

“Participants attend the conference to find out what direction technology and learning is headed in,” said MCCC’s Kathryn Ishler. “What exactly are the vendors working on? What are the next cutting-edge information technologies that can be used in our classrooms? Participants have the chance to explore the strategies and technologies that will shape the way they implement technology into the curriculum and to exchange best practices from experts in their area and learn from their practical experience.”

According to Ishler, the Technology and Learning Conference provides an opportunity for professional development for faculty members and administrators from higher education, as well as teachers and professionals from the K to 12 school districts.

The theme for the 2011 conference is “Get Your Head in the Cloud.” Participants can choose to follow topic threads in the areas of teaching and learning, student success and support services, security and identity management, library, emerging technology and e-Learning, according to an MCCC press release.

The deadline to submit proposals is Sept. 9. Proposals can be submitted online; click on the “Proposals” link at the top left corner of the page.
 
Past conferences attracted faculty and administrators from all over the region, and as many as 350 participants attended each previous conference, Ishler said.

“This year, we are moving some of our conference sessions, as well as the vendor area, to our newly renovated Parkhouse atrium," said Ishler. "Moving to the new space will provide a greater opportunity for more people to attend and enjoy the conference.”

The conference is scheduled to begin with a keynote address from  Terry Anderson, who teaches educational technology courses in Athabasca University's master’s and doctoral distance education programs. He is also the director of the Canadian Institute for Distance Education Research (CIDER) and edits the “International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,” according to the press release.

Last year’s conference covered about 24 presentations, Ishler said.

“We hope to surpass it in both quality and quantity this year," she said. "Previously submitted proposals included sessions on Apple technology, course delivery methods, collaboration and community building in higher education, mobile technology and Web 2.0 interactive technologies. This year, we hope to have sessions on technologies discussed in the 2011 Horizon Report; electronic books, augmented reality and game-based learning, to name a few.”

According to Ishler, participants can choose to follow topic threads, or they can select individual sessions that pertain to their area of interest.

“They can also choose from a variety of session types, including forum sessions, hands-on lab sessions, roundtable discussions and poster sessions,” Ishler said.

The cost of attending the conference is $80 if registrations are received by Sept. 26 and $100 for those received after that date. The cost includes all conference materials, parking, and a continental breakfast and lunch. Registration is free for the primary presenter of any session.

Vendors are also invited to participate in the conference, according to the press release. Vendors can support the conference by attending and participating in the conference events, sponsoring the conference or donating an item for the giveaway raffle.

For more information on the various vendor levels, for submitting proposals, or for registration information, visit www.mc3.edu/techday or email techday@mc3.edu.