4/18: USDLA Brief — Register today for upcoming webinars

An item from the folks at the USDLA, who I should note have been somewhat K-12 friendly – but are primarily higher ed focused.

USDLA BRIEF Thursday, April 18 Don’t miss these upcoming webinars Happy Thursday, USDLA friends! As part of your membership benefits, we host regular Free Friday Webinars, including several listed below. We also are happy to feature events hosted by our colleagues. Scroll down for details on events you won’t want to miss. And if you haven’t already, sign up today for our USDLA National Conference, June 17-20 in St. Louis: usdla.org/2024-conference-registration Our conference program is available here: Review the schedule of speakers, workshops, and conference events. Special offer: Exhibit-only tables are now available for only $1,500. Click here for details: usdla.org/2024-sponsorship REGISTER TODAY FOR OUR UPCOMING USDLA FREE FRIDAY WEBINARS AI for Teacher and Student Wellness When: May 3, 1-2pm Register: usdla.org/webinars About this webinar: A session designed to demystify AI and give educators the tools to maximize efficiency, shift mindsets, and support student wellness through the innovative and ethical use of AI. About the presenters: Seth Fleischauer is the president of Banyan Global Learning, founded in 2008 after teaching elementary school via NYC Teaching Fellows. With Banyan, Seth helps schools leverage technology for teacher and student wellness, including AI Literacy PD for teachers and live virtual student programs. Seth’s programs have reached more than 10,000 students on three continents and touched the lives of teachers and students globally. He is a frequent presenter at elite edtech conferences and hosts two podcasts: “Make It Mindful: An Education Podcast” and “Why Distance Learning?” Travis Moyer has a foundation in microbiology and made a significant shift from lab research to high school science teaching, eagerly embracing technology integration into educational practices. At Banyan Global Learning, he started by crafting curriculum and teaching, quickly moving up to manage the elementary distance learning program. Amid the global pivot to virtual classrooms, Travis led the creation of projects focusing on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and digital citizenship, prioritizing character education through virtual means. Currently leading AI integration for K-12 teacher development at Banyan, Travis leverages large language models (LLMs) to innovate professional learning content. He advocates for the transformative potential of AI and virtual learning environments in reshaping educational practices toward personalized and immersive learning experiences. With a dedication to the ethical deployment and comprehensive understanding of AI in education, Travis guides educators and students toward a future enriched by AI in daily learning. Improving Online Community: Discussion is NOT an Assignment When: May 10, 1-2pm Register: usdla.org/webinars About this webinar: This session is designed to empower participants with the skills and insights needed to elevate interaction in online discussions by refining three key elements: crafting better questions, enhancing faculty involvement, and fostering inclusive expectations. Participants will explore effective question design strategies that stimulate critical thinking and encourage diverse perspectives. The workshop will delve into the role of faculty in facilitating meaningful discussions, offering practical tips for increased engagement, and fostering a supportive online community. Additionally, the session will address the importance of setting inclusive expectations to create a welcoming space for all participants. By the end of the session, attendees will possess a comprehensive toolkit to enhance the vibrancy and inclusivity of online discussions, ultimately fostering a more enriching and collaborative learning environment. About the presenter: Sheila Fry, MBA, and COO is an experienced educator with over 20 years of experience in teaching and curriculum development. She has facilitated many online classes in several disciplines ranging from math to business administration for both community colleges and universities. This diverse background, coupled with her connections to leaders at many institutions, informs her work as the COO of The Babb Group. At The Babb Group, Fry combines her corporate and education experiences to help institutions create engaging online learning programs that meet the needs of both learners and the organization. Fry manages course development, creating engaging learner experiences, managing instructional design projects, learning management system guidance, and curriculum analysis. Teaching with AI: Squelching Fears, Saving time, and Generating New Ideas When: May 17, 1-2pm Register: usdla.org/webinars About this webinar: Join us for an enlightening webinar on “Teaching with AI: Squelching Fears, Saving Time, and Generating New Ideas.” In this session, we’ll explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education by addressing some of the most common concerns, streamlining tasks, and sparking creativity in developing content and student engagement. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just dipping your toes into AI integration, this webinar will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to harness the power of AI in your teaching practice. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover how AI can enhance your classroom experience and empower both you and your students. About the presenter: Dr. Lisa Clark is a Senior Product Manager at Anthology, a leading provider of software solutions for the higher education sector. With over 20 years of experience in distance education, she is passionate about improving online learning outcomes and experiences for students and faculty. She holds an EdD in Higher Education Teaching & Learning from Gwynedd Mercy University, where she researched best practices for online course development and faculty preparedness. In her current role, she is responsible for researching, collaborating on designs, and helping to deliver features within the Anthology Learn Ultra LMS, a cloud-based platform that offers engaging and pedagogically sound workflows. She works closely with development and design teams, as well as with global clients and partners, to optimize and integrate the LMS solutions. She also presents demonstrations and roadmap sessions and leads strategic discussions on various topics related to student success, online pedagogy, and innovation. Dr. Clark is a published researcher and a regular presenter at professional conferences on distance learning. DON’T MISS THESE IMPORTANT EVENTS HOSTED BY USDLA COLLEAGUES AND SPONSORS Register for this two-part workshop with Edvative! AI Tools to Maximize Efficiency When: April 18, 12:30-1:30pm Register: Nedla.org About the webinar: This workshop is tailored for educators looking to enhance their efficiency and productivity using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. The focus will be on practical, AI-driven solutions that can streamline administrative tasks, improve lesson planning, and facilitate effective communication. Objectives include: Introduce educators to AI tools that can assist in various aspects of their work, from administrative tasks to student assessment. Demonstrate how to implement these AI tools in everyday teaching practices to save time and reduce workload. Discuss AI-driven communication tools that can facilitate more effective interaction with students and parents. Create a collaborative environment where educators can share experiences, strategies, and best practices for integrating AI tools into their teaching. About the presenters: Dr. Samuel Mormando is the founder of the award-winning education non-profit, Edvative Learning, and serves as the Director of Technology, Innovation, and Online Learning for the Garnet Valley School District in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. With a doctorate in educational leadership from Widener University, Dr. Mormando has been a key figure in driving Garnet Valley to national recognition for its innovative teaching practices. These include the adoption of open education resources and the development of a student-centered course design process, catering to various learning preferences: traditional, online, or blended. Under his stewardship, Edvative Learning has achieved significant milestones, notably receiving the Best in Educational Coaching award from Exemplar Schools in 2023. Christine Gumper is a distinguished alumna of Villanova University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a minor in history. She has dedicated over two decades to the Garnet Valley School District, serving as a high school social studies teacher and Instructional Design Coach. Christine has taken on pivotal roles, including the 6-12 Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Model UN advisor, and National Honor Society advisor. Her innovative approach led to the successful integration of Open Education Resources within Garnet Valley, highlighting her work at prominent conferences such as SAS, ISTE, and the Department of Education’s #GoOpen Summit in 2019. In our rapidly changing K-12 landscape, Christine has emerged as a leading expert on AI integration in classrooms. Her insight is sought after at various educational conferences where she has presented and conducted workshops on AI’s transformative role in education. Virtual Reality in Learning and Development When: April 24, 6pm Register: Nedla.org About the webinar: Virtual reality (VR) has gained significant attention in adult learning and development due to its potential to enhance the learning experience in various ways. VR is being used in immersive experiences, skill training, scenario-based learning, language learning, soft skills development, accessibility and inclusivity, remote learning, continuing education and assessment and feedback. VR offers many advantages for adult learning and development, it also comes with challenges, such as the cost of VR equipment, content development, and the need for technical support. However, as technology advances and becomes more affordable, VR is likely to play an increasingly prominent role in adult education and training. A.I. for ALL: Open Education Summit When: June 5-7 Where: Tennessee State University, Avon Williams Downtown Campus, Nashville About: Dive into the heart of innovation at the AI for ALL Summit, where inclusivity meets the cutting-edge of artificial intelligence (AI). Our vision is a future where AI technologies are within reach for everyone, fostering an environment of growth, learning, and empowerment through Open Educational Resources (OER). More: ai-tnstatesmartcenter.org/aiforallsummit2024 Become a MEMBER of USDLA Become a SPONSOR of USDLA Higher Education Certification Professional Learning Certification Support USDLA When You Shop @Amazon Smile Thank You to Our National Sponsors Instructure, Google, Verizon, Carolina Distance Learning, Harmonize, IAP, Nearpod, Wolfvision, Anatomage, GoReact, Huddly, InScribe, BocaVox, Softchalk, NC Sara, Simple Syllabus, VDO360, Symbiosis, VirtualCare, Waldorf University, Merlot, Questionmark, Perlego, Padlet, BrightThinker Thank you for supporting USDLA, our Sponsors, and our State Chapters. Chuck Sengstock, President Valary Oleinik, President-elect   About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Formed in 1987, USDLA is a 501(c)3 non-profit association formed in 1987. Our weekly newsletters reach more than 100,000 people globally, including our members and sponsors working in industries including pre-K-12 education, homeschooling, higher education, continuing education, corporate, military, government, and telehealth. Our mission is to promote the development and application of distance learning for education, training, advocacy, and networking: USDLA.org USDLA | www.usdla.org

USDLA | 10 G Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002