Durham College welcomed more than 300 college educators to campus from Wednesday, May 23 to Friday, May 25 at This is IT!, an enhanced-learning with instructional technology conference. Best practices in the use of technology and improved classroom learning were shared with and by attendees.
Collaborative and meaningful discussion, issues and challenges, and enhancing and transforming teaching and learning experiences were the focus of This is IT! 2007, an enhanced-learning with instructional technology conference, featuring a Choosing Your Way theme.
Hosted by Durham College from Wednesday, May 23 to Friday, May 25, the conference welcomed more than 300 college educators from across the province to share their best practices in the use of instructional technology, along with enjoying renowned keynote speakers and instructional technology vendors who showcased novel ideas and products.
The keynote speakers for the conference were Ken Hudson, an e-Learning facilitator at Loyalist College; Dr. Liesel Knaack, an assistant professor with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's (UOIT) Faculty of Education; and Walter Stewart, an independent consultant in technology, organization, and strategic planning.
Hudson's presentation, called Information on Educational Opportunities in Virtual Worlds, explained how fully customizable virtual worlds allow educators to involve their students in real-time simulations and environments that are engaging and dynamic. Dr. Knaack's address, called Strategies for Effective Laptop Use in Higher Education, focused on exposing educators to ways of using laptops in the classroom, such as learning objects, educational mini-clips, digital video, concept mapping, classroom response systems, digital story telling projects, and online portfolios. Finally, Stewart's presentation, called Real Questions About Learning in a Knowledge Based Economy, explained how questions have the potential to deliver people from making a major response to former needs.
In addition, presenters at the conference competed for the McGraw-Hill Ryerson 2007 Award for Innovation in Education, which acknowledges and rewards innovative teaching practices that incorporate the integration of instructional technology leading to enhanced student learning. It is awarded based upon peer review of the workshop presentations.
The Educational Technology Committee Awards were also presented in the categories of First Experience with Technology, Impact, Learning Object, and Innovative Teaching with Technology.