Learn-IT Conference

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Transforming Learning through Instructional Technology

Our 2022 virtual Learn-IT Conference will offer a series of recorded talks on emerging technologies in education. All presentations will be delivered asynchronously and available for viewing through August 1. Those who register and attend Learn-IT 2022 will have the opportunity to earn professional development hours as well as a digital badge. Participation is free.

Instructions for accessing our Learn-IT Conference site will be emailed to all who register.

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Talks By Theme

Instructional Design and Strategies

Keynote: Evidence-based Principles for Designing Effective Multimedia Instructions

Richard Mayer, Ph.D., distinguished professor of psychology at the University of California Santa Barbara, presents 12 research principles regarding how to design multimedia learning environments that promote student engagement and meaningful learning.

Immersive and Adaptive Learning in Virtual Space

Fengfeng Ke, Ph.D., assistant professor at Florida State University, describes her research team' s project "Force and Motion – Adaptive Representation," in which they designed and developed an immersive virtual world learning project for children with autism.

Technology and Culture

Tech and Culture: Insights from 20 Years of Management and Teaching Experience

Terry Cottrell, Ph.D., vice president for Information Technology and Planning at the University of St. Francis, on reacting to student's continual immersion in the world of popular tech tools in their personal lives, juxtaposed against curricular goals in the classes they take. Managing attention spans, confronting social media head-on as a "friend or foe," everyday cybersecurity topics, and managing multiple media types.

Transforming Organizational Cultures via Technology: A Closer Look at DEI Learning

Ashanti Morgan, director, learning and talent development DEI, at Levi Strauss & Co., delves into developing and executing transformational and impactful global learning solutions that address aspects of culture change, inclusivity, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) through the learning and development and technology lens.

Industry 4.0: A Brief Overview

Faisal Kalota, Ed.D., instructor at Northern Illinois University, presents a discussion of the socio-economic impact of technologies associated with the fourth industrial revolution, also known as "Industry 4.0." This research was conducted in conjunction with Hesham Allam, Ph.D., Colin Ensalaco and Brandon Serba.

Learning Technology

Makey Makey, the Black-Hole Time Machine

Danielle Maldonado, adjunct professor of Biology at Oakton Community College, describes Makey Makey, an interface that connects a circuit board between a computer, scratch code, and the simple act of closing a circuit. This presentation shows the steps necessary to implement Makey Makey in real time, with realistic expectations.

Integrating Educational Robotics into the K-5 Curriculum

Kelly Talga, Ph.D., project manager at Naperville School District 203, discusses the implications of technology in education by positioning robotics in the K-5 classroom as a way to promote critical and computational thinking as well as bolster problem-solving within STEM learning. This allows learners to simulate, observe, and make sense of complex tasks and abstract concepts.

Panel Discussions

NIU ETRA Student Research Panel

Moderated by Judy Puskar, academic program advisor, NIU, this unscripted discussion features three former ETRA students describing the process of producing research in conjunction with faculty members.

NIU ETRA Graduate Student Assoc. Benefits

Moderated by Hal Hinderliter, Ph.D., instructor, NIU, this panel features members of ETRA's Graduate Student Association discussing the advantages of GSA membership and offering advice for new ETRA students.