Valdosta State University’s Center for eLearning will present the Conference on Instructional Technologies, Innovations, and Educational Strategies — commonly referred to as the TIES Conference — Feb. 18-20 in the Student Union. 

The TIES Conference is open to all VSU faculty, staff, and students, as well as members of the general public, who want to learn more about what educational leaders are doing to support student success both within and beyond the college classroom. Registration costs $69; includes all materials, breakfast and lunch on the second and third day of the conference, a social, and more; and will be accepted up through 1 p.m. the first day of the conference.

Day one of the TIES Conference will begin with check-in at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by an opening welcome by Dr. Sheri Gravett, associate provost for VSU’s Academic Affairs. Afterwards, attendees will have the option of sitting in on a selection of presentations covering such topics as facilitating student engagement in the classroom, building community support for education, and teaching with technology. The presentations will be offered in two sets of concurrent sessions, from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Day two of the TIES Conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday with a continental breakfast, followed by a morning series of presentations covering such topic as how housing can enhance learning experiences, how tutors help students, and how students perceive learning. The presentations will be offered in two sets of concurrent sessions, from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., with a coffee break in between.

During lunch, attendees will hear from keynote speaker Dr. Kathleen Blake Yancey, a Kellogg W. Hunt professor of English and distinguished research professor at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. She is considered an expert on composition studies, generally; student transfer of writing knowledge and practice; creative nonfiction; cultural studies of everyday writing; writing assessment, especially print and electronic portfolios; and the intersections of culture, literacy, and technologies. Her keynote address is titled Teaching for Transfer: Current Lessons, Promising Directions. 

Additional presentations will be offered throughout the afternoon, in two sets of concurrent sessions, one from 2 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. and another from 3:40 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., again with a coffee break in between. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about using writing to foster transfer of writing knowledge and practice, exploring teaching and learning in Second Life, and much more. The day will conclude with an innovations showcase and 18 poster presentations from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; refreshments will be served. 

Day three of the TIES Conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday with a continental breakfast, followed once again by a morning series of presentations covering such topics as career opportunities for millennials, reaching students through online avenues, disproving the myths and breaking the silence around eating disorders in the university setting, and more.

During lunch, attendees will hear from a panel of local VSU alumni from the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. They will share how their college experiences shaped them and discuss what they believe current college graduates need to succeed.

The conference will conclude with a final presentation session featuring expert discussion on linking learning support students to strategies for success in mathematics, roundtable discussions among mathematics faculty and English faculty from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and VSU, and digital storytelling in a virtual world.       

Conference presenters include faculty, staff, students, and experts from Valdosta State University, Turning Technologies, AMAC Accessibility Solutions at Georgia Institute of Technology, South Georgia State College, University of West Georgia, Valdosta City School System, Lowndes County School System, Valdosta North Rotary Club, Valdosta Rotary Club, Central Georgia Technical College, Clayton State College, Georgia State University, Florida State University, Lincoln Memorial University, Decatur County School System, Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., National Eating Disorder Association, and Atlanta Metropolitan State College.        

“I hope attendees become familiar with the technology that can optimize learning for the traditional and nontraditional student,” shared Jarrod K. Murray, assistant director for program development and administration with VSU’s Center for eLearning. 

“The TIES Conference also gives VSU educators insight into what the community needs and expects from our graduates,” he added. “This not only improves VSU’s degree programs but also helps educators meet the needs of the community in a way that benefits everyone.”

The TIES Conference is a combination of what was formerly known as the Core Matters Conference and the Online Lifeline Conference.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/elearning/ties/welcome.php to read more about the keynote speaker, register for the conference, view the complete conference schedule and presentation descriptions, and more.