ST PAUL, Minn.Seventy-one attendees from 33 CCCU campuses met at Bethel University (MN) for the Commission on Technology Conference June 1-4, 2010.
The conference theme of "Emerging Technologies & Emerging Needs" explored relationships between new technologies and the needs of higher education, including the improvement of teaching and learning. The keynote address each day was delivered by leaders in private higher education, including Bethel Universitys new president, Dr. Jay Barnes, and a team led by Dr. Paul Baepler of the University of Minnesota Digital Media Center.
The highlight of the conference for me was the continued strengthening of relationships between attendees from over 30 CCCU schools, says John Jones, vice president of informational technology at Indiana Wesleyan University (IN). Each school brings something to the table and we learn from one another as we all seek to further the cause of Christian higher education. Jones says that because of the conference, hell look further into using Google as a possible email solution for students.
Topics covered by the plenary and workshop sessions included:
- Web 2.0 social media
- Wireless mobility, bandwidth and availability
- Organizational structure
- The iPad
- IT security
- Legal compliance and security
- Distance learning using IP video
- The online classroom
- Tool for teaching with technology
A major highlight of this conference is networking with individuals from other Christian campuses from all over the United States who are very similar in size to our own campus, says Judy Dehle, manager of instructional technology and media services at Whitworth University (WA). It lets me get a good idea of what others are doing and where we are as an institution. For me, it is like a shot in the arm and I came back to my campus with a burst of renewed energy. Dehle reports that since attending the conference, she is looking into new approaches to faculty training as well as some free software to teaching and learning.
The Commission on Technology Conference occurs each year. To see the up-to-date list of commission members,
click here.
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of 184 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. There are now 109 member campuses in North America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. In addition, 75 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU. The Councils mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.
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