Tag: edtech

Professional Development, Training & Development

The 2015 #et4online Conference Preview

Laura Pasquini

#et4online bannerThe Online Learning Consortium (formerly Sloan Consortium), MERLOT, and our Emerging Technologies steering committee wanted to give you a sneak peak of what lies ahead at #et4online, so we hung out to share details about the upcoming conference being held April 22-24, 2015 in Dallas, Texas.

Who attends #et4online? (you might ask)

Who attends #et4online

Image c/o @brocansky

6 Reasons Why You Should Join Us for #et4online

Or hear what the #et4online Steering Committee Members have to say in today’s Google+ Hangout ON AIR (recorded):
Michelle Pacansky-Brock Conference Chair – @brocansky
Jason Rhode, Assistant Conference Chair – @jasonrhode
Jane Moore, MERLOT Program Chair – @janepmoore
Laura Pasquini, OLC Program Chair – @laurapasquini

Here are just a few of the MANY highlights for the #et4online program that we shared:

Interested in attending (virtual or on site)? Register TODAY! Early bird pricing ends on February 25, 2015. I hope to welcome a few of you to Dallas in April. Do you have questions about the conference or program? Want to know great places to find BBQ in Dallas? Want to get involved and volunteer? You know where to find me. I’d be happy to answer any/all questions. Hope to see you soon!

Learning Technologies, Professional Development

The Technology Test Kitchen & #et4online CFP Deadline

Laura Pasquini

The Technology Test Kitchen (TTK) was developed at the Online Learning Consortium‘s #blend14 event, and recently enhanced at #aln14.

What the heck is the TTK?

  1. A makerspace for sharing innovative tools and new media
  2. An open collaborative environment for hands-on exploration
  3. An engaging way to connect with your colleagues over emerging technology

how it works

The TTK ideas was created to bring faculty, instructional designers, researchers, and conferences participants together to get a hands-on experience with a variety of learning technologies. In the Test Kitchen, there are a number of “chefs” (volunteers who love applying media to learning) who are typically available to talk about design, discuss a “recipe” (a quick how-to guide for a platform, e.g. PDF Recipe Book from #blend14 is posted HERE), utilize apps, brainstorm curriculum strategies, introduce new media (hardware & software), and provide 1:1, hands-on sharing with learning technologies.

To learn more, check out this AMAZING video created by Angela Gunder (a.k.a. @adesinamedia):

For the 2015 #et4online conference, the TTK will be looking for chefs, like YOU, to actively work in the kitchen and demonstrate how to apply media to pedagogical practice.

CFP for Chefs

Interested in applying? Check out the Call for Proposals today for the TTK or any other program track. We would LOVE to review your proposal. The CFP closes on December 1, 2014.

Conference, Professional Development

Have Conferences, Will Travel – Fall 2014 Edition

Laura Pasquini

With the start of the academic semester comes a series of conferences. I’m grateful for the conference survival guides and other helpful conference hacks shared by my PLN. Due to limited travel funds and time, I had to decline a few conferences; however I will be sure to follow along the Twitter backchannel (I am looking at you #HEWeb14 and #SMSociety14).

In considering the cost of professional development at many conferences, I have learned to get more involved to help fund this sort of travel.

jure

Image c/o @jure

Here are a few ways to get involved and learn how to fund your own conference travel with your professional affiliations:

  • Volunteer at the conference – check-in desk, hospitality, and more! Ask to volunteer!
  • Apply to present a Pre-Conference workshop – often you are eligible for comped registration and/or bonus honorarium to travel.
  • Get involved with conference planning – join the conference steering committee or planning group. It gets you networked and often offers a discount for registration and/or accommodations
  • Get invited – See if invites are available for featured talks, workshops or edu sessions. Tap into your network and share what you are working on.
  • Stay with a friend – I have housed and been housed at a number of conference locations just to avoid the steep hotel costs. Bunk up, or find a local off the conference beat.
  • Apply for a travel grant – This might be at your own institution, through the professional organization, or other entity.
  • See what’s local – You will be surprised to learn a number of different conferences, workshops, and other P.D. that is happening in your own neck of the woods OR online. 🙂
  • Present virtually! – Limited travel? See if the conference offers virtual papers, workshops or posters and submit your CFP! If you’re in the #edtech realm, you will likely find this a popular option to travel.

Here is my quick conference list for the Fall 2014 term:

Where are you traveling this academic term? Will our conference travel cross paths? How have you creatively spread your travel funds? Please share. 🙂

Reflections

I’m Back… and #HowISpentMySummer [30-Day Photo Challenge]

Laura Pasquini

You may remember me from blogging back in June. Well based on a certain (EPIC!) summer road trip I was rarely at my computer or connected over the last few weeks… and it was DELIGHTFUL. I enjoyed being able to take a proper holiday & just enjoying the great outdoors.

I would blog about it, but too much fun and adventure has happened in the last 5 weeks to contain in just one blog post. Based on a photo challenge idea prompted byJennifer Joslin (a.k.a. @jenniferejoslin), I’ll be sharing what I was up to over the summer with my #highered & #edtech community using the hashtag, #HowISpentMySummer:

#HowISpentMySummer Photo Challenge 2014

Join us in sharing ONE (1) photo a day to let us know how YOU spent your summer  (feel free to play catch up from Day 1-4):

More about the #HowISpentMySummer 30-day photo challenge:

When?: July 29-August 25th

What?: One photo each day to share #HowISpentMySummer on your favourite social media platform (Instagram or Twitter preferred, to Storify each topic each day) – see challenges for each date below!
Day 1 (July 29): Take a road trip
Day 4(July 30): Watch a play, a concert, or a movie outdoors
Day 3 (July 31): Take a hike, go bird-watching, or climb a mountain
Day 5 (August 1): Swim in the ocean or walk barefoot on a beach
Day 6 (August 2): Your choice — Post a picture or video about your summer!
Day 7 (August 3): Eat something from a roadside stand
Day 8 (August 4): Make a bonfire or campfire (singing optional)
Day 9 (August 5): Play frisbee, softball, or soccer in a park
Day 10 (August 6): Jump in a lake, do a cannonball Into a pool, or swim in the ocean
Day 11 (August 7): Your choice — Post a picture or video about your summer!
Day 12 (August 8): Visit with family or attend a family reunion
Day 13 (August 9): Tackle a DIY project at your apartment or house
Day 14 (August 10): Dance under the stars with someone/something you love
Day 15 (August 11): Eat homemade ice cream, gelato, or frozen yoghurt
Day 16 (August 12): Your choice — Post a picture or video about your summer!
Day 17 (August 13): Attend a fair, festival, or farmer’s market
Day 18 (August 14): Get married or attend a wedding; or take a class or graduate!
Day 19 (August 15): Read a book just for fun
Day 20 (August 16): Post a picture of a curiosity, statue, or sign from a trip
Day 21 (August 17): Your choice — Post a picture or video about your summer!
Day 22 (August 18): Spend an evening at an outdoor cafe
Day 23 (August 19): Sit on a porch or stoop and visit with your neighbors
Day 24 (August 20): Ride a ride at a fair or amusement park
Day 25 (August 21): Your choice — Post a picture or video about your summer!
Day 26 (August 22): Go on a picnic or fall asleep in a hammock
Day 27 (August 23): Wash a car with a garden hose or pick a wildflower bouquet
Day 29 (August 24): Pitch a tent, post a nature picture, or paddle on a river
Day 30 (August 25): Your choice — Post a picture or video about your summer!
Why?: To share with the #HigherEd & #EdTech community about your summer. These photos can be from this past summer, a #TBT summer memory, OR you can just make it something you wished to do this summer.

More about the challenge here: http://howispentmysummer.tumblr.com/ Thanks for the fun ideas and prompts, JJ! Looking forward to seeing how YOU spent your summer! 

Conference, EdTech

This Is My Recap of #et4online

Laura Pasquini

Another year at the #et4online conference brings various researchers, educators, practitioners, and then some to talk about the online learning landscape. I presented a session, attended a few workshops & sessions, learned a great deal (see my notes taken on Twitter), and connected to some new ideas and people. Each time I attend #et4online I find myself surrounded by some of the usual #edtech suspects who banter about pedagogy and talk about learning — rather than just the technology… and this is refreshing.

et4online montage

A few of my own #et4online highlights include:

 

Other reflections and thoughts about #et4online have been shared by George and Jim (#JimOfThings)…and I suspect a few others to follow.

 

Key takeaways I am still chewing on…

 

 

Special shout out to @jlknott for a stellar conference week as my roommate &  partner-in-crime. Here’s to our combined forces (support) to crush (or defend) our dissertations this summer! Go team!

Excited

Until then, I think #et4online should dance it out… Because I’m happy…

Happy