TLT Symposium 2009
From ETS
Contents |
Dates & Location
- 4/17-18, 2009 Penn Stater
- 3/26-27, 2010 Penn Stater
Theme
Student Engagement and the Culture of Teaching and Learning
This theme is appropriate for several reasons:
- It fits with the natural progression of the last two symposiums. We went from the application to the faculty and now the student focus completes the trilogy.
- The feature speakers we've invited who will challenge faculty to re-think the students role in the learning process. They in effect ask them to imagine the students as co-creators of their learning and show them how this is possible with the new social technologies.
- Having completed the loop (technology-faculty-students) we are free to shift the theme of next year's symposium to "Web 3.0". Perhaps it can be more "futurist" in look and feel. The web will be entering its third decade and we can use the occasion to help set the tone for where we see PSU going.
The underlying theme, our single tag word, is "reimagine". Just like last year it was "Hear their stories. Share Yours" and the year before that we had "engage". Again, because we are asking faculty to re-consider how they look at the students and the role they play in learning. Here's an example:
Picture a marketing poster (like last years which focused on the faculty only this year it would show the students, or students with a faculty member, doing something. At the bottom would be the tag word "reimagine" followed by a word or phrase that supports the image. So if we had an image of two students and a faculty member using a digital commons equipment to create a movie we could have the tag be "reimagine collaboration"
Keynote
We are still entertaining several potential speakers. We are also considering having a morning and afternoon keynote. The speaker selection process is guided by this year's theme. Any of the speakers listed will challenge faculty to re-think the students role in the learning process. They in effect ask them to reimagine the students as co-creators of their learning and show them how this is possible with the new social technologies. Because of this we are targeting speakers with a more academic flavor. The candidates include the following.
danah boyd, Fellow at Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society.
Relationship to Symposium: Focuses on how people negotiate a presentation of self to unknown audiences in mediated contexts. In particular, my dissertation examines how American teenagers socialize in networked publics like MySpace, Facebook, LiveJournal, Xanga and YouTube. I am interested in how the architectural differences between unmediated and mediated publics affect sociality, identity and culture.
Sites:
David Wiley, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at Utah State University and Director of the Center for Open and Sustainable Learning
Relationship to Symposium: He is the founder of OpenContent, coining the term "open content" and releasing the first open license for content in 1998. His career is dedicated to increasing access to educational opportunity for everyone around the world.
Sites:
Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology, Kansas State University.
Relationship to the theme: His focus on "the impact of digital technology on human interaction and human interaction on digital technology" was echoed as a point of interest in the symposium evaluations. I think that our audience is ready to have this conversation and Wesch would meet them where they are and help move them along.
We will also be able to tie in the presence of McGraw Hill and other sponsors with Wesch and the conference theme because their interests are similar. The textbook companies are also interested in human-technology dynamics as they adjust their product to a new world with new expectations on how content is delivered.
Here are several sites about Wesch and his work that people will find interesting:
Kansas State University Anthropology Program
Jimmy Wales, co-founder Wikipedia
Relationship to Symposium: The success of the project has helped popularize a trend in web development (called Web 2.0) that aims to facilitate creativity, collaboration, and sharing among users
Sites:
Clay Shirky, Adjunct Professor in NYU's graduate Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP)
Relationship to Symposium: social and economic effects of Internet technologies...understand group dynamics in online spaces and the possible ways of improving user interaction by redesigning our social software to better reflect the emergent properties of groups...how our networks shape culture and vice-versa
Sites:
Shelley Henson Johnson, Vice President for Training and Instructional Design, The Aegenis Group
Relationship to Symposium: Interests include sustainable online self-organizing communities, web 2.0 tool development, instructional design, folksonomies, open content, the hijacking of emergent social networking technology in the service of learning, and manifestation of self and group identity in online environments.
Sites:
David Weinberger, Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Author
Relationship to Symposium: We are changing the basic principles by which we organize our world. What effect will that have on our institutions and on our way of understanding ourselves and the world we share? David is looking at taxonomies, ontology, and the role of metadata.
Social networks rely on making explicit relationships that are deeply implicit. What sort of damage does that do? Why do we think that the explicit is simply the implicit with the lights on?
What policies and laws will enable the Internet to thrive as an open platform for ideas, innovation and connection?
Sites:
Other Potential Speakers
Judy Breck, Author
Relationship to Symposium: opening educational resources and mobile learning
Sites:
Jonathan Zittrain, Berkman Visiting Professor for Entrepreneurial Legal Studies at Harvard Law School and the Chair in Internet Governance and Regulation at Oxford University. Co-founder of HLS's Berkman Center for Internet & Society
Relationship to Symposium: Interest include digital property, privacy, and speech, and the role played by private "middlepeople" in Internet architecture. He has a strong interest in creative, useful, and unobtrusive ways to deploy technology in the classroom
Sites:
Berkman Center for Internet & Society
Notables:
Sally Jackson , CIO Illinois-Urbana
Wayne Hodgins , Strategic Futurist
Philip Rosedale, Founder of Second Life and Linden Labs
Events on Friday, April 17
Beginner and Advanced Tracks at the Penn Stater
We are planning a 1/2 day of pre-conference activity on Friday afternoon. We reserved 2 rooms (20 person capacity each) at the Penn Stater from 1-5 p.m. Allan is chairing the Pre-Conference Workshop. The purpose of adding this day is twofold:
- We plan for one room to be a basic, or beginner track, where people can come to get set up with the following accounts: blogs, Flickr, Twitter, and whatever other technologies we decide to include to capture the event.
- The other event will be a boot camp-style format for the advanced folks.
For more information see the Boot Camp page.
Best Practices Roundtable Video Conference for the Hartford Center for Geriatric Excellence
Session title: How do instructors develop apprenticeship relationships with students when teaching at a distance?
Many of the nursing programs are delivering doctorate level programs via distance learning. Instructors are finding it difficult to build mentoring relationships with their students they way the could with face-to-face instruction. The representatives of the Hartford Center center would like to talk with our design people to explore methods of establishing this type of relationship when learning occurs entirely via distance.
The Hartford Center would like to come out of this with several ideas they can apply to their distance learning course design methodology. Representatives from the meeting will present a panel discussion at the Symposium on Saturday (preferably during a morning session). This will be a general discussion about the challenge of building apprenticeship relationships with students when teaching at a distance.
For more information see the Hartford Center Video Conference page.
Instructional Technology Fellows Best Practices Meeting
There is the potential to hold a best practices meeting on the Friday before the symposium with representatives of the Macauley Honors College (CUNY). The purpose of the meeting would be to learn more about their Instructional Technology Fellows (ITF) program with an eye on improving the TLA program. The ITS program is similar to our TLA program in the sense that both programs team up technologically savvy students with faculty who are interested in learning new skills.
For more information see the Instructional Technology Fellows Best Practices Meeting page.
Geo-caching Game/Activity
Brett also mentioned he like to play a geo-caching type game that day as well. Brett will lead the implementation of this activity.
For more information see the Geo-caching Game page.
Food for Thought Dinners
We are recommending to replace (or to simply support) the formal dinner at the Carnegie House with several dining events around town where everyone would be invited to participate. Each location would have a theme related to teaching, learning, technology, or research. Individuals would self-select into the dinners of their choice via an open sign up on the conference wiki. Those attending meals would be aware that meals are to be paid for by the individual. Potential locations:
- Spats
- Zola
- Otto's
- NLI
- Carnegie House
- Golden Wok
- Kelly's
- Pickles
- Cozy Thai
- Viet Thai
- Herwig's Austrian Bistro
There had been some discussion of possibly moving the food for thought dinners to Saturday, so that individuals could discuss, in greater detail, ideas introduced or inspired by the Symposium.
Events on Saturday, April 18
These will take place at the Penn Stater from 8 a.m - 4 p.m.
Big Ideas
These are the ideas, suggestions, activities we are thinking about including in the event. Note: These are merely concepts at this point.
Audience Generated Lunchtime Panel
An audience generated lunch panel for students. We would include students to submit their works during the symposium registration period and use a social rating system for people to select topics or themes of interest. Then we would invite the appropriate students to participate in the panel.
Publishers Round Table
The potential for a round table discussion with members of the publishing industry, maybe selected faculty, and perhaps Wesch on a topic such as, "How a textbook is defined in the age of digital culture?" Sponsors/panel members include:
- Cengage
- McGraw-Hill
Registration Table
In 2008, the Lion Ambassadors were a very nice addition and helped relieve pressure from the registration task. For 2009, we should have a single registration table (for presenters and attendees) where everyone gets the same "stuff". We'll have a captain for the registration team to make sure someone is available to answer questions.
Pimp That Course
Course re-design in 15 minutes.
Tie in with the Faculty Fellows Program. Instructors can submit a paper around what they would like to do with one of their courses. ETS would select the 2-4 best papers for a "15-minute design review" to be done as an open session during the symposium. Basically, a panel of experts would review the submission and share their re-design ideas with the instructor during the symposium. We could potentially select the one with the most promise for a fellowship. There is the potential to begin this process during the ID summer camp. We could pitch the idea to the attendees, solicit recommendations for potential faculty, and begin building the processes needed to make it all happen.
Related sites
Request for Proposal
need to stress that presentations in which the participants are actively involved will receive preference. Offer potential options for presenters to actively involve attendees. Ask for a description of what will take place during the session.
- Possibly something to tie in with Vexations and Ventures
Second Floor Break Area
May choose to forgo the bookstore and instead, using a U-shape set-up, have various stations framing the area, e.g. Student assistance table, training services feedback table, etc.
Digital Commons "Lennon Bus"
Take one of the interview rooms and convert to a mini DC studio. Random attendees can be pulled in to create something that can be shown at the end of the day during the poster session. Perhaps we can incorporate gaming as well. At NMC random attendees were brought in and shown how to play basic notes on musical instruments from which a video was created. hy not use our Rock Band equipment and do the same?
Personal Sticker Books and "Bingo" Sticker Cards
Have each person attending the conference design one sticker and then provide that person with an entire book of their stickers at registration. Also provide each person with a "Bingo" card that they will fill up during the course of the day by seeking out people with their specific stickers. This encourages face-to-face meeting, interaction and helps to build community.
Symposium Splash Plate
The front page of the symposium where we aggreegate all our social networking feeds
- Flickr
- Blog posts
- Recommended readings
- Perhaps with a link to the bookstore to purchase. Get the 10% discount when entering the symposium code
- Cafe ETS
- link to purchase symposium/ETS swag
- Embedded video playing person on the street and scheduled interviews
Cafe ETS
Set up a store (not for profit) where people can order symposium swag
- stickers
- mugs
- coasters
- magnets
- shirts
We would offer designs for folks to choose from. Designs would come from things created by the community for the 08 and 09 symposiums as well as the summer camp.
Alternative Learning Spaces
Reserve a room as a "chill out lounge" for people to go to and relax for a bit. Sit in comfy chairs (bring the bean bags from gaming?), chat, chack the web, etc.
Game Room
Set up a gaming room lite where folks can come and get a taste of what's happening with the gaming initiative.
Community Video: What is Online Community?
Based off the concept of the recent YouTube video, below. Use students, faculty, staff from the Penn State community.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21u9-U86EV8
Flotsam and Jetsam
These are the ideas that, for whatever reason, we decided not to implement.
Symposium Committees
Core Committee
Comprised of all sub-committee team leaders and selected personnel. Responsible for overall event planning and coordination including acting as a liaison between sub-committees.
- Jeff Swain (Overall chair, Program Committee chair)
- Allan Gyorke (Pre-conference event chair)
- Jane Houlihan (Operations Committee chair, budget)
- Kasey Weatherholtz (Tech Committee Chair)
- Robin Dickson (Operations Committee, timeline and planning)
- Derick Burns (Marketing Committee chair)
- Hannah Sloan (Media Event Committee chair)
- Matt Frank (Digital Media Production Committee chair)
- Krystal McMillan (15 mins. every other meeting for budget reconciliation)
Meeting Times
The Core Team will meet the last Thursday of the month. Meetings are from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in 202K Rider unless otherwise noted.
- 07/17/2008 (Kick-off Meeting)
- 08/28/2008
- 09/25/2008
- 10/30/2008
- 11/20/2008
- 12/18/2008 (210B Rider)
- 01/29/2009
- 02/26/2009
- 03/26/2009
- 04/23/2008
Standing Agenda Items
- Timeline update
- Budget Reconciliation (8/28, 10/30, 12/18, 2/26, 4/23)
- Sub-Committee Team Reports (Including Task Completion status)
- For the common good
Program Committee
Responsible for overall feel for the event including the selection of the keynote speaker(s), selection of theme, event planning, proposal submission and acceptance, room layout, and technical grid coordination.
- Jeff Swain (chair)
- Karen Hackett
- Robin Smail
- Shannon Ritter
- Steve Houtz
- Richard Marshall
- Derick Burns
- Erin Long
Meeting Times
The Program Team will meet every other week until primary responsibilities are fulfilled. After that we will meet as needed Meetings are from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in 202K Rider unless otherwise noted.
- 07/24/2008 (kickoff)
- 08/07/2008 (Begin Keynote Speaker/Theme Selection)
- 08/21/2008
- 09/04/2008 (Finalize Keynote Speaker Selection)
- 09/18/2008 (Finalize Symposium Theme. Send to JTH for approval)
- 10/02/2008 (Prepare RFP for breakout sessions and poster+ sessions)
- 10/16/2008 (Begin RFP review)
- 11/06/2008
- 12/04/2008
- 12/18/2008
- 01/08/2008
- 01/22/2008 (Complete RFP review)
- 02/05/2008 (Begin Grid Layout)
- 02/19/2008 (Complete Grid Layout)
- TBD from here on
Standing Agenda Items
- Keynote Speaker Selection
- Symposium Theme
- Grid Review
- Breakout Session Selection Process
- For the Common Good
Pre-Conference Committee
- Allan Gyorke (leader)
Responsible for planning and delivery of pre-conference events on Friday, April 17 including breakout events and evening cocktail hour.
Current ideas:
- We have Penn Stater reserved on Friday, 2 rooms, 40 people total
- We could have 100-150 people take over Pollack Lab from 1-5
- Four quadrants of boot camp training (blogs, Flickr, etc...)
- Use of Digital Commons facilities
- Tour of Secure Testing facility
- Tour of Collaborative Learning Spaces
Pre-Conference Committee Notes Page
Operations Committee
- Robin Dickson
- Jane Houlihan
- Barb Smith
Responsible for logistics including attendee list, budget, timeline, folder production, name badge production, facilities coordination/planning, keynote travel/honorarium, keynote gift, SWAG.
Operations Committee Notes Page
Marketing Committee
Responsible for the overall look of the event including the web presence, advertising, mass mailings, attendee program, posters, signage, SWAG design, name badge design, proofreading and editing
- Derick Burns (leader)
- Hannah Sloan
- Dave Stong
- Mary Janzen
- Tara Caimi
- Audrey Romano
- Jeff Swain
Marketing Committee Notes Page
Technical Committee
- Kasey Weatherholtz (leader)
Responsible for the technical needs of the pre-conference and conference including the technical needs of the presenters, lab/demo equipment, and troubleshooting during the events.
Technical Committee Notes Page
Digital Media Team
- Hannah Sloan (co-leader)
- Matt Frank (co-leader)
- Pat Besong
- Kim Wink
- Ryan Wetzel
- Justin Miller
- Jamie Oberdick
- Chris Stubbs
- Audrey Romano
- Jeff Swain
Responsible for the execution of media-based events including conducting pre-conference interviews, the scheduling and conducting of interviews during the symposium. Also responsible for the podcasting/vodcasting equipment to be used in the interview rooms. Responsible for standardizing the media production process including recording the keynote and lunch sessions, standardizing the production process including audio & video template design, the recording, editing, and digitizing process, and coordinating the room recordings. Responsible for the equipment needed to record the keynote and lunch sessions.
Equipment Moving Team
- Jeff Swain
- Derick Burns
- Kasey Weatherholtz
Responsible for the coordination of moving equipment to and from the Penn Stater
Equipment Moving Team Notes page.
