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 — Wednesday, Feb. 22, through Friday, Feb. 24 in the Student Union. This year’s theme, Re-Envisioning the Academy: Explorations in Technology, Curriculum, and Pedagogy, provides a broad forum to explore instructional delivery models and how students participate.

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 is $129 for all attendees and will be accepted up through 9:30 a.m. the first day of the conference. This fee includes all conference materials, a social event, breakfast and lunch each day, and more.

The TIES Conference features more than 60 presentations from faculty, staff, students, and experts from Valdosta State University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of West Georgia, Georgia Southwestern State University, Middle Georgia State University, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, LiveText, Kaltura, Accessibility Solutions and Research Center, Gordon State College, Tougaloo College, Georgia Gwinett College, Armstrong State University, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, Black Crow Media, Chestnut Hill Plantation, the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta, the University of North Georgia, Central Georgia Technical College, South Georgia State College, ShareStream, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, McGraw-Hill Education, and more.    

“The agenda for this year’s conference is one of the most diverse yet in terms of the presenters and the scope of content,” said Meg Giddings, director of VSU’s Office of Extended Learning. “It promises to be an exciting and enriching conference for all attendees.”

The TIES Conference’s keynote speaker on Wednesday is a globally renowned leader in the field of mobile and educational technology. He will share his experience and perspective in applying mobile technology to on-campus and virtual classrooms, while also inspiring innovation and the exploration of new dimensions in higher education.

Thursday’s keynote speaker is Dr. Robert Blaine, associate provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Tougaloo College in Mississippi. He will discuss the importance of curriculum transformations, inverted classrooms, technology-enhanced learning environments, continuous and meaningful faculty development, and new student orientations as a means of graduating students who are aware, facile, well read, and highly collaborative global citizens.

Friday’s speaker is Dr. George Mehaffy, vice president for academic leadership and change with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. He will explore areas of policy and practice that could be used to increase student success, especially for low income, first generation students.   

“This year we welcome nationally renowned speakers to the 2017 TIES Conference,” Giddings said. “This year’s speakers bring innovative ideas and expertise in the areas of higher education leadership, technology, and innovative approaches to reaching today’s learners in the evolving landscape of higher education.”