Choose your own EdVenture at #WCET19

The WCET 31^st Annual Meeting in Denver has something for anyone interested in the intersection of policy and practice of technology-enhanced teaching and learning in higher education. With a blend of inspiring keynotes, panels, loosely organized roundtable discussions, and freeform unconference sessions and a wide array of topics and speakers, attendees can chart their own path through the dynamic program. Navigate through some of the topic areas and program highlights in today’s blog, and personalize your own journey with us in Denver, November 4-7.

Pro tip- use the CTRL+F keys to search for sessions and speakers on the event landing page.

Connect with experts in eLearning around the most prescient topics.

WCET brings together some of the best thinkers and practitioners in higher ed edtech. Yet we limit the conference to 450 attendees to ensure that connections are made and the collegial feel that WCET is known for rises to prominence. Connect with leaders in the field by engaging directly in roundtable discussions and share your stories at unconference sessions. Some of the topics and speakers include:

• Preconference workshop: Preparing the Curriculum and Institutions of Tomorrow, Maria Andersen CEO and Co-founder, Coursetune.
• Deriving Meaning from Data: SARA Data, IPEDS Data, and More! Marianne Boeke, Senior Associate, NC-SARA, Rachel Christeson, Research Associate, NCHEMS, Leeann Fields, Executive Director, Office of Educational Compliance (OEC), University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Dan Silverman, Assistant Director, SAN, WCET, Terri Straut, CEO and Solution Architect, Ascension Consulting Group.
• Do You Have Tough Questions About Adaptive Learning? We Have Answers! Niki Bray, Director of Academic Innovation and Student Success, University of Memphis and Patricia O’Sullivan, Adaptive Learning Program Manager, University of Mississippi.
• I Like Big ROI and I Cannot Lie: OER State Initiatives, Strategies, and Outcomes, Tanya Spilovoy, Director, Open Policy, WCET.
• Truth and Fiction Surrounding Research in Online and Technology-Mediated Learning, Tanya Joosten, Director, eLearning Research and Development, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Julie Uranis, Vice President of Online and Strategic Initiatives, UPCEA.

Policy implications and issues are a journey, start here.

Plotting your course to compliance and helping your institution navigate through federal rulemaking is complex. WCET is here to help you understand the potential implications of ed policy and ways you can be proactive. Hear from approachable experts in the following sessions:

• The Impact of Federal Rulemaking on Compliance for Out-of-State Activities, Cheryl Dowd, Director, SAN, WCET.
• The View from DOE and How We Can Work Together to Increase Impact, Diane Auer Jones, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education.
• C. Update Part 1, A Busy Year for Higher Ed General and Accreditation Updates, Leah Matthews, Executive Director, Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and Ken Salomon Partner, Thompson Coburn LLP.
• C. Update Part 2, A Busy Year for Higher Ed Distance Learning and EdTech Regulations, Russell Poulin, Executive Director, WCET and Cheryl Dowd, Director, SAN, WCET.
• Policy Wonking – The Impact of Federal and Institutional Policies, Van Davis, Principal, Foghlam Consulting, LLC and Darcy Hardy, Associate Vice President, Blackboard, Inc.

Break in your new to elearning boots.

Whichever path brought you and your institution to digital learning, the program has many essential sessions to help cultivate successful programs.

• The Cheating Economy and Integrity, Douglas Harrison, Associate Dean, University of Maryland Global Campus, The Graduate School and Adel Lelo, Senior Principal Product Manager, Western Governors University.
• Online Course Development Process – Organizing for Success! Steve Rothenberg, Project and Product Implementation Manager, CCCOnline and Grace Whiteaker, Instructional Designer, CCCOnline.
• Designing Effective Vendor Partnerships, Christopher Sessums, Learning Strategies Consultant, D2L.
• Piecing Together the Online Program Management Puzzle: Buy, Build or Both? Howard Lurie, Principal Analyst, Online and Continuing Education, Eduventures.

The route to the many peaks and valleys of a career in higher education is long and winding, the only way to get there is with a guidebook and experienced mentors.

The WCET community is an incredible group of edtech pioneers and leaders with many adventures and lessons learned to share. Attend these sessions to connect with guides and fellow hikers on the path to best practices in technology-enhanced teaching and learning.

• Effectively Leading Innovation: Advice from Experienced Industry Leaders, Thomas Cavanagh, Associate Vice President of Distributed Learning, University of Central Florida, Luke Dowden, Chief Online Learning Officer & Associate Vice Chancellor, Alamo Colleges District, and Shannon Riggs, Executive Director of Course Development and Learning Innovation, Oregon State University Ecampus.
• WICHE Cybersecurity Initiative – A Collaborative Model for Data Protection, Mike Abbiatti, Former WCET Executive Director and WICHE Vice President for Technology Enhanced Education, WCET.
• CBE and the Inequities of Time in Higher Learning, Myk Garn, Assistant Vice Chancellor for New Learning Models, Board of Regents, University System of Georgia.
• A Collaborative Approach to Adaptive Predictive Analytics, Charles Dziuban, Director for the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness, University of Central Florida, Constance Johnson, Chief Academic Officer/Provost, Colorado Technical University, Patsy D. Moskal, Associate Director for the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness, University of Central Florida.

All treks start with a ticket or a passport, if this is your first foray to WCET don’t miss the following.

• Welcome Reception.
• 5K Run/Walk.
• EdTech Meet-Up.
• WCET Awards Lunch.
• Group Networking Dinners.
• What’s Up at WCET General Session.
• Meet the friendly staff at the registration and info desks.

Pro tip: we have great conversations about the meeting on Twitter! Tweet with us using hashtag #WCET19!

Students traverse the world of higher ed, how can we best support their expeditions?
What are some if the innovative applications of technology and good practices around teaching and learning to support student success? Share your thoughts during unconference sessions and in many of the panel presentations including:

• Loneliness: An Overlooked Obstacle to Student Success, Nathaan Demers, Director of Clinical Programs, Grit Digital Health.
• Serving those who Served: Helping Veterans Succeed in the Tech-enabled Classroom, Jennifer Daines, Program Chair for General Education, Colorado Technical University and Carrie Wandler, University Program Director for General Education and Psychology, Colorado Technical University.
• Innovative Online Student Support during Natural Disasters and Major Events, Michelle Jungbauer, Evaluation Experience Manager, WGU.
• Diversity and Inclusion of Neurodiverse Online Learners, Gloria Niles, Director of Distance Education, University of Hawaii West Oahu.
• Our exciting opening keynote: Michael Ellison, founding and CEO of CodePath.org and Founding Board Member for Women Who Code, who will open the conference on Tuesday.
  

Hopefully you enjoyed this excursion through some of the Annual Meeting program highlights. Join us in Denver this fall to elevate your knowledge, expand your networks, and explore what others are doing to improve teaching, learning, and student success in higher education.

Pro tip: Register before September 21 to save $100.

Pack your bags and travel safely!

Megan Raymond
Director, Programs and Sponsorship
WCET
@meraymond

 

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