News Release

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March 20, 2006

Boise State to Host Regional Conference:  “Redesigning Instruction for the Future”

On April 11, Boise State University will play host to faculty and administrators from throughout the state and to distinguished speakers from across the country during a free one-day conference, “Designing Instruction for the Future.” The conference is a capstone event for the H3 Project, a three-year project funded by the State Board of Education and aimed at redesigning traditional courses into hybrid courses — courses that combine the best of face-to-face teaching with the best of online instruction. 

Conference organizers from Boise State’s Academic Technologies describe the conference as a practical, informative and inspiring exploration of the issues and practices associated with redesigning instruction for the future. Conference sessions examine issues, models and practices of instruction that capitalize on the benefits of informed, practical course design; innovative course models; and creative use of information technology. The keynote address will be delivered by Carolyn Jarmon, senior associate of the National Center for Academic Transformation, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the effective use of information technology to improve student learning outcomes and reduce the cost of higher education.  

Jarmon will be joined by featured speakers L. Dee Fink, founder and director of the Instructional Development Program at the University of Oklahoma; Brad Lister, director of the Anderson Center for Innovation in Undergraduate Education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and Craig Chanoff, vice president of client support for Blackboard Inc., as well as faculty presenters from all Idaho institutions of higher education. 

Conference sessions will address the following general themes: 

• Why Course Redesign? — The rationale and benefits of redesigning instruction that responds to the needs of the net-generation student and that has the potential for increasing access, improving quality and controlling costs. 

• Models of Redesign — Innovative and creative alternatives to the traditional lecture course. 

• The Redesign Process — How to create effective, engaging courses, featuring approaches to redesign employed at other state and national institutions. 

• Showcases in Course Redesign — Examples and lessons learned from pioneers in course redesign. 

• Future Directions — Short- and long-term developments in instructional design and educational delivery. 

• Tools for Redesign — Featuring a vendor fair, publishers presentation and technology demonstrations, including a preview of Blackboard 7.0. 

All events will be held in the Student Union Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 11. There is no cost for attending the conference; however, seating is limited, so early registration is recommended. Registration before April 4 entitles participants to expedited check-in on the day of the conference, handouts and other conference materials, and a complimentary lunch during Fink’s luncheon address, “Creating Significant Learning with Integrated Course Design.” For more information or to register for the conference, go to http://itc.boisestate.edu/future. 

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Contact: Kevin S. Wilson, Academic Technologies, (208) 426-4260, kwilson@boisestate.edu.
Media contact: Bob Evancho, University Communications, (208) 426-1643, bevanch@boisestate.edu. 

Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within eight colleges. A metropolitan university located in the capital city, Boise State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and public service.

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Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007