NSU Hosts 2008 Oklahoma Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference

NSU Hosts 2008 Oklahoma Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference

TAHLEQUAH Northeastern State University's Center for Teaching and Learning will host the 2008 Oklahoma Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference on April 1011.

Teaching 360, the conference theme, allows our conference topics to be all encompassing, and opens the field of discussion to include almost anything relating to higher education, said James Brittain, director of Center for Teaching and Learning at NSU. Our conference offers a place for people in higher education to present their research, and provides opportunities to share and get feedback from peers, one of the foundations of scholarship.

The conference was expanded to two days to allow for more sessions, invited speakers, and networking time. This two-day conference costs is $175. There are also pre-conference workshops available.

The pre-conference workshops include Using Screenbook Maker, Infusing Purpose into Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Effectively Teaching Programming Logic and Design Using Alice and Youre Boring: Why students do not pay attention to professors, among others.

Two nationally renowned speakers will be featured during the conference. Dr. Ken Bain, one of the 2008 OHETL Conference plenary speakers, is the director of the Teaching and Learning Resource Center at Montclair State University and author of the groundbreaking book What the Best College Teachers Do.

Bain brings motivation and encourage others in teaching. He is able to connect with all audiences, said Judy Moody, a member of the conference planning committee.

Conference organizers will also host Dr. Barbara Millis as the second plenary speaker. Millis is the director of the University of Nevada - Reno Excellence in Teaching Program. She will present a session on Thursday titled Using Classroom Assessments Techniques.

Faculty who have contributed in highly creative ways to their institutions are also being honored in a luncheon as Oklahoma Innovative Teachers.

We want to encourage teachers to keep trying to reach students more effectively, said Moody. Everyone deserves to be recognized for achieving excellence in the teaching profession.

Dr. Lisa Holder, from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, will be recognized for integrating technology in her courses while emphasizing the methods and psychology of teaching. Joyce Johnson, from Connors State College, was chosen for leading the nursing department in developing online learning activities to strengthen students application of difficult theoretical nursing concepts, while reducing travel time and expenses. Dr. Rene L. Cambiano, from Northeastern State University, will be recognized for innovative methods in the teaching of graduate students in the College of Education.

This conference will not only be an educational but entertaining. This year the conference partners with the Sequoyah Institute to give the attendees a once in a lifetime experience to see The Souls of Our Feet: A Celebration of American Tap Dance.

Souls of Our Feet is joined by an educational excursion to the Cherokee Heritage Center for an additional charge of $22. While at the Cherokee Heritage Center, participants will get to experience authentic Cherokee culture. Scheduled activities include a tour of the ancient village and the Cherokee National Museum, the opportunity to view an Elders Conversational Circle, a Cherokee meal and storytelling spoken in Cherokee.

These excursions are supplementary to the learning gained from the upcoming conference.
For more information contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 918-444-5855 or the conference site at www.teachingconference.org.

4/3/2008

Published: 2008-04-03 00:00:00