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Distance Teaching & Learning Conference ‘a game-changer’ for veteran educator

distance teaching & learning conference

Prof. Jill Moore began her career at Alverno College in 1986, pre-computers. Back then Moore worked with the latest in typewriter technology, but now she’s the school’s academic director of hybrid and online programs for adults. That role brought her to last year’s Distance Teaching & Learning Conference, where she had an eye-opening experience about educational possibilities in the digital era.

“It was truly a game-changer for me,” says Moore. “I learned that you don’t have to sacrifice solid pedagogy when you move learning online.”

The 34th annual Distance Teaching & Learning Conference, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison, explores new ideas that will help educators transform the 21st century classroom and workplace. On Aug. 7-9, leading lights from academia, industry, and government will share the latest strategies at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

woman speaking to conference group
The Distance Teaching & Learning Conference (also pictured above) attracts a large network of people who support online learning and each other.

The conference attracts more than 800 higher education faculty and staff, instructional designers, and workforce trainers in search of ways to engage students steeped in the internet and mobile technology. It’s one of many unique learning experiences featured in the Summer Catalog from UW-Madison Continuing Studies.

Into the future

Like many schools, Alverno College is expanding its online offerings, so Moore is seeking practical ways to take her institution into the future. She was impressed by what she heard from presenters at the Distance Teaching & Learning Conference—and also impressed by their inclusive approach.

“The presenters were extremely knowledgeable and personable,” Moore says. “They went a long way in reducing my anxiety about technology and best practices. I’m a good 35 years older than many of them, but I never felt like a dinosaur. In fact, they were all invitational in their approach, and I felt that I could contribute to discussions because I do have nearly four decades in the classroom behind me.”

At last year’s event, Moore was delighted to discover a large network of people who support distance learning and each other. That’s a big part of why she’ll return to the conference in 2018.

“I made contacts with people from all over the globe who are at every stage of distance learning,” she says. “I’m looking forward to more networking, more demos, and more examinations of teaching and learning.”

For more information about the Distance Teaching & Learning Conference, see the conference website. To explore the many other lifelong learning options at UW-Madison Continuing Studies, request a Summer Catalog or view it online.