e-Cornucopia 2011: The Open Digital University May 26, 2011 - Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan

Call for Proposals

Application Form

At this year's conference the break-out sessions will be divided into three tracks, Open Education, Open Access and Open Source. Please submit a 200 word abstract of your presentation proposal.

Track One--Open Education. Open Education is the theory of free access to education and educational materials. A free flow of information became possible with the rise online methods of distribution and powerful search engines. One of the first examples of the open education movement is the MIT OpenCourseWare initiative that made all syllabi and course materials available to the public. Another example, iTunes U, distributes free course lecture podcasts and videos from many different universities. YouTube and other social media are also sites for open online education. The inspiration and motivation for the open education movement is the hope that it will help create a more democratic and equal global society.

Possible Topics: (Any other topics relevant to Open Education also will be welcome.)
The use of specific platforms for globally accessible educational content such as iTunes U or YouTube or homegrown webpages.
Non-traditional learning spaces such as Hackerspace
Implications for the economic future of the university under the open education mode
What are the legal and intellectual property implications of open education for faculty
Global sharing of open digital learning objects and easily accessible resources for teaching.

Track Two--Open Access. Libraries have moved from a paper model to digital and so have changed research and teaching. Open access academic journals are open, unrestricted, and free for anyone to read on the Internet, while others are extremely expensive with annual fees. There are multiple economic models for open access journals and debates about reliability and interrelationship with the tenure process.

Possible Topics: (Any other topics relevant to Open Access also will be welcome.)
Open Access Journals – Benefits and challenges of publishing open access journals, from the publisher’s perspective.
Open Access Publishing – Why faculty should care – tenure and impact factor
Institutional Repositories – Development and current trends, role in OA.. Role of librarians in promoting OA and digital preservation.
Open Access Research – Scientific and medical research – government mandates, Public library of science http://www.plos.org/, OA data sets.
Open Access - Intellectual Property/Copyright & Creative Commons.

Track Three--Open Source. Open Source is the practice of making computer code that is available to be downloaded, edited, and used by anyone. This philosophy of software has resulted in collaborative teams of programmers working globally with source code, often communicating through online discussion boards and chat systems. Universities have benefitted from the open source movement by implementing open source software like Linux, Moodle, and Mahara e-Portfolio. Advantages include the capability to customize and control functionality to meet specific local needs, and to quickly trouble-shoot and resolve errors. This track will also explore how open source contributors are often motivated more by the social reputation they gain by participating in a project than by a traditional monetary incentive.

Possible Topics: (Any other topics relevant to Open Source also will be welcome.)
Linux - the most popular open source operating system. An intro to what Linux is, what uses it (you may be using it and not know it), how it's made, and how it may be useful to you.
Open Source Media Editing - an introduction to the Kdenlive video editor, Audacity audio editor, and GIMP Image editor.
Open Social Networking - Run your own "Facebook" with Status.net.
Open Hardware - the benefits of using Open Hardware like the Arduino micro-controller and 3D printers like the Reprap or Makerbot.
Open Conferencing Software - Big Blue Button is a emerging Open Source competitor to dimdim, WizIQ, and Elluminate.
Open Learning Management System - Moodle... "How we deployed it and why" or "Moodle 2.0".
Open Mobile - Android and Meego vs. iOS and Windows Mobile. Open vs. Closed. The pros and cons for the companies, the developers and the users.
A presentation session will last 40 minutes with an additional 10 minutes for questions. A projector and laptop will be available.

Please submit proposals by February 15, 2011.

Blackboard World July 12 – 15 in Las Vegas

Call for Presentations

The most rewarding moments at Blackboard Users' Conferences come from the presentations made by Blackboard clients. The 2011 BbWorld, Developers Conference, and Pre-Conference programs will feature sessions led by Blackboard clients from all over the country. BbWorld, Developers Conference, and Pre-Conference programs are great opportunities to connect with peers and share best practices, as well as gain insight and training from the Blackboard staff.

Reasons to Present

Receive discounted registration fee
Share your best practices with peers
Influence and enhance teaching and learning at other institutions
Shape eLearning around the world

Call for Presentations GuidelinesBbWorld presentations will take place July 12 – 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada; Developers Conference sessions will take place July 11 – 12.

The content of submissions should relate to the use of Blackboard technologies to solve challenges on and off campus. The following session formats will be accepted:

BbWorld Standard Session (55-minutes): Presentations given by one or more speakers/institutions on a topic of interest or case study with time for questions and answers.

BbWorld Panel Discussion (55-minutes): Consists of multiple speakers (maximum 4), each offering a perspective on an issue or set of issues, with time for questions and answers.

BbWorld Mini Session (20-minutes): Either present one mini session for 20 minutes or 2 pecha kucha sessions (exactly 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each, that's it - say what you need to say in six minutes and 40 seconds).

BbWorld Poster Session: Posters are a combination of pictures and text arranged in an aesthetic manner for easy viewing and for conveying information. All posters will be 'presented' during the Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall.

DevCon Standard Session (45-minutes): Presentations given by one or more speakers/institutions on a topic of interest or case study with time for questions and answers.

DevCon Double Session (90-minutes): Double sessions are just like standard sessions, but more time is available to get into more detailed and technical topics.

Proposals may be submitted by individuals or by groups of presenters (maxium 4).
Proposals where speakers are drawn from more than one institution are encouraged.

Note: Depending on what sessions are submitted and the schedule, we may ask you to present in a different format than originally proposed.

Presenter Expectations

The number of presenters can range from 1-4, with 4 being the maximum number per session.
All co-presenters must actively participate in the presentation.
Presenters from different institutions are encouraged to present together.
Presentations must reflect the description given when originally proposed.
All accepted presenters must register to attend the conference by May 13, 2011 and will be eligible for a $200 discount off of the regular registration fee. Note that presenters are only eligible for ONE discount.
Presenters are responsible for securing and paying for travel and lodging.
Selection Process

The Client Program Committee will review all submitted proposals and presentations will be selected based on the following criteria:

Do you believe this session would be of high value to attendees?
Does this proposal address a 'hot topic' at institutions today?
Would you recommend this session to a colleague?

Timeline

Friday, January 21, 2011: Final deadline to submit proposals.