Preconference Seminar Description

Preconference Seminars are fee-based, three-hour workshops that provide in-depth exposure to specific topics, deliver practical knowledge and applications, and link participants with a community of learners who share common interests. The selection of facilitators for Preconference Seminars is very competitive and is based on the workshop’s content, thoroughness of the proposed workshop design, and the expertise of the facilitator(s). Lecture-only presentations will not be considered. Preconference Seminar rooms will be equipped with a laptop, data projector, speakers, and screen. Preconference Seminars start at 1:00 Saturday afternoon.

Sample Preconference Seminar Descriptions

Learning Objects: The Building Blocks of Extraordinary Online Courses

During this workshop, participants learn what a learning object is, how learning objects can be used and catalogued into libraries, and how to approach the development of high-quality, peer-evaluated, competency-linked, and standards-based online learning experiences. Participants leave with solid “road-tested” approaches to building a library of learning objects, an understanding of the issues commonly faced by faculty as they approach the development of high-quality, peer-reviewed content, with hands-on experience in the most critical aspects of the development process—the identification of key learning objectives and expected competencies that together define a learning object. Finally, participants learn how institutions are working together to build comprehensive libraries of learning objects and how they can access these resources in building their own online learning environments.

Institutional, Faculty, and Student Preparedness for a Virtual Campus

In this fast-moving workshop, participants identify the requirements for a virtual campus and discuss examples of these components. Also examined are the institutional requirements for developing a successful online program. Participants receive information about faculty training and support, course development and management, student preparedness, program management, and policy and administrative issues. Student services issues are also addressed, including online counseling, registration, financial aid, career assessment, and tutoring. Interactive needs assessments tools are provided that measure institutional preparedness for delivering online programs, and student preparedness to enhance student success.