New Bern Riverfront Convention Center

NCDLA Blended Conference

Blended Learning: The Transformation Begins

The 2010 NCDLA Blended Conference begins with two days of web-based sessions on March 31th and April 1st, 2010, that can be attended from anywhere you access the Internet. Conference attendees can attend as little or as much of the virtual conference as their tme allows.

The following week, we'll convene in historic New Bern at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center for the face-to-face portion of the conference.  The main conference begins on April 8th and ends at noon on April 9th. You don't have to participate in the virtual pre-conference to attend the face-to-face component of the Blended Conference! We hope you'll choose to participate in both!

9:30-10:30 EST
Session 1.1 Identity: What is it?  Why is it important? - Keynote Address

Can we create who we are in such a capacity and to such a degree as to lay the
developmental foundation for our ultimate success? Can we create our intrinsic
identity, express it extrinsically and thus create a self-fulfilling and measurable
baseline from which to tangibly accelerate our own success and academic
achievements? The extent of this purposeful self-creation centers around the concept
of identity formation and the impact(s) that it has on the student’s concept of
self-worth and, subsequently, their academic success in the expanding world of
distributed learning environments.

As educational distribution continues to develop beyond the current theories of the
individual and social impact, it becomes paramount to identify the parameters by
which the students are measured in the context of their academic venues. While some
work has been done in this area, the current premise is one of adopting face-to-face
learning theories in the virtual classroom – a practice that is leading many
practitioners and researchers to question the validity of the delivery methodologies
completely. Given this unfortunate, and alarming, inclination toward group think it
is imperative that a model be developed that incorporates the issues of identity
formation, identifiable and implementable results toward academic success all
formulated and delivered through solid recognized distance education theory and
pedagogy.

The foundational theories, design, implantation and potential impact of the research
process will be presented and discussed. Ultimately, an algebraic equation
expressing measurable quantitative and qualitative impact will be developed as the
final output by Winter of 2010.

Heidi Maston - Fielding Graduate University

10:45-11:45 EST
Session 1.2 Current and Emerging Technologies for Distance Learning

This keynote will cover the new undiscovered learning environment and how it is changing the way the learners interact in an estimated $2 trillion (US dollar) global education and training market. Topics include but not limited to game-based learning, videoconferencing, virtual worlds, mobile learning, simulation, blended learning and Web 2.0 technologies.

Reggie Smith, United States Distance Learning Association President

3:30-4:30 EST
Session 1.3 Building Online Language Courses for North Carolina Students

Online courses offer students access to a language when a face-to-face course isn’t available. By combining effective instructional design and different technologies, asynchronous courses can move students toward proficiency in all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. An online Mandarin Chinese series, funded by two different grants, as well as Arabic, Japanese and Russian, incorporate several unique features that lead to greater student engagement and achievement, which has garnered national attention for North Carolina's innovative approach to distance learning. Join this session for a course tour to see firsthand how the courses are impacting students and teachers

Ann Marie Gunter - North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Dr. Bobby Hobgood - LEARN NC - School of Education, University of North Caroina at Chapel Hill

Session Presider: Dr. Tracy Weeks

4:45-5:45 EST
Session 1.4 Statewide Proctoring System: The Academic Services Portal

The 2008 Higher Education Act includes language requiring institutions offering online / distance education to employ a mechanism to ensure that work being completed for a class is actually the work of the registered student.  The most effective manner in which to accomplish this is with a proctored exam, but the costs of setting up a proctoring network are significant.

This presentation will inform attendees about the application being developed by and for the UNC system that will facilitate the proctoring process for faculty, students, and proctoring centers.

Dr. Maggie OHara - East Carolina University
Marshall Clark - East Carolina University
Greg Miller - East Carolina University
Steven Hopper - East Carolina University

9:30-10:30 EST
Session 2.1 Rocking the Virtual Classroom

Virtual classroom technology (WebEx, Elluminate, Centra, etc.) provides a wonderful live, real-time bridge between the traditional classroom and the learner. But it isn't "just like" the traditional classroom, and in the wrong hands can be deadly dull. In this session we'll learn to read virtual "body language" , look at ways to increase interactivity and engagement, utilize games and activities, and create visuals that support learning.

Note for this session: Dr. Jane Bozarth, Synchronous Learning Expert, is the recipient of a Live and Online Award (LOLA) for Best Use of Synchronous Features, and winner of the Training Magazine Editor's Pick Award for Best Synchronous Program.

Dr. Jane Bozarth - NC Office of State Personnel/HRD Division

10:45-11:45 EST
Session 2.2 Using Elluminate’s Unified Learning and Collaboration strategy to solve challenges in K-20

NOTE: This session will be conducted in Elluminate
Click the following link to access this session:  Elluminate Session with John and Mary

There are many challenges that are unique and become essential to solve in learning organizations. Through Elluminate's delivery of web, audio, video, and social networking collaboration solutions referred to as Unified Learning and Collaboration (or ULC) you can solve challenges such as; making education more effective and more personalized for each student's learning styles, find best practices and expertise, enrollment and retention, differentiating your organization from your competition, professional development, and what ROI means. Learn how Mary Prentice from Thomas University helped her faculty utilization climb to 80% in less than a year, and the impact that has made.

John Repetto, Elluminate Product Marketing Manager
Mary Prentice, Instructional Technologist from Thomas University

3:30-4:30 EST
Session 2.3 Benefits and Challenges of online Professional Development with Teachers

Professional development provides opportunities for making a positive impact on teachers and on educational practices. It helps to facilitate change and generate teacher enthusiasm to transform education and impact society.

This session will review the benefits of professional development.  You will have the opportunity to assess how well you embrace change, pick up tips on promoting collaboration, and explore some strategies that can help make online professional development more successful. We will also talk about some of the challenges, which includes conflict. You’ll determine your conflict style and learn how to use various styles effectively depending on the situation you are facing.

Adria Kempner - LEARN NC

4:45-5:45 EST
Session 2.4 Learning With the Lich King – World of Warcraft in School

Orcs, dragons, dwarves, and... learning?  Absolutely!  In this session Lucas Gillispie will discuss his cutting-edge project that uses the massively multiplayer online game, World of Warcraft, with at-risk or "fringe" middle school students in an after-school program designed to develop leadership, digital citizenship, literacy and mathematics.

Lucas Gillispie - Pender County Schools