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 25: 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. Virtual Conference follow-up: As discussed in Tuesday’s USDLA News, the week before our Virtual Conference begins in June, we will feature a webinar by Dr. Jeff Seaman, Dr. Nicole Johnson, and Dr. Julia Seaman: AI is Here, but 1,300 Faculty, Administrators, and Trustees Tell Us They’re Not Ready. Why? About the webinar: It’s no secret that there’s considerable interest in the potential role Artificial Intelligence (AI) has to play in education. Some believe it will revamp how we teach, while others see it as a passing fad. Some predict minor changes to our education system, while others are unsure of AI’s impact but remain very worried. The ongoing Digital Learning Pulse Survey project asked over 1,300 faculty, administrators, and trustees how they believed AI would impact their institution, where they expected any changes to occur, and if they thought their institution was ready. As part of a panel discussion, these results will be presented and discussed with time for audience questions and comments. The results are surprising. Respondents differ on how much impact they expect AI will have in the next five years, ranging from “massive” to “none,” and differ on where they expect AI-derived changes to occur. One thing the overwhelming majority do agree on is that their institution is not prepared. We previously shared information about their valuable study: Examining Higher Ed’s Digital Future. About the presenters: Dr. Jeff Seaman has worked in education information technology for over 20 years, and holds degrees in Demography/Statistics, Sociology, Electrical Engineering, and Housing. He has taught at several colleges and universities, including Cornell University, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and Babson College. Dr. Seaman created and ran the Computing Resource Center and served as Associate Vice Provost for Computing for the University of Pennsylvania and as Chief Information Officer for Lesley University. His industry experience includes serving as Chief Technology Officer at HighWired.com and Vice President of Engineering for Vista Associates. Dr. Seaman has been researching technology’s impact on higher education and K-12 for over a decade, beginning with comprehensive national studies of technology use in U.S. Higher Education. Dr. Seaman has served on academic technology advisory boards for information technology companies, including Apple Computer, IBM, and Microsoft. Dr. Nicole Johnson is the Executive Director of the Canadian Digital Learning Research Association (CDLRA), where she leads annual, longitudinal research studies exploring pan-Canadian trends related to digital learning at post-secondary institutions. Dr. Johnson has worked in education for over two decades, focusing on digital learning for nearly 15 years. Her primary research interests include tracking macro-level trends in digital learning at the post-secondary level, defining and operationalizing key terms associated with digital learning, investigating faculty experiences with technology, exploring the future of higher education, and better understanding how adults learn informally in digital contexts. She also has an independent research and consulting practice through which she collaborates with other scholars on research studies and provides expertise on policy-related projects related to integrating and advancing digital learning experiences in higher education. Dr. Julia Seaman has extensive experience in survey research, competitive intelligence, and translational research. She has worked and published across various qualitative and quantitative projects. Along with her publications at Bay View Analytics, Dr. Seaman’s projects include publishing on statistical practices in ASQ and consulting for several biotechnology start-ups. She has published in scientific, statistical, and quality control journals, including Cell Death and Differentiation, BMC Anesthesiology, and Journal of Quality Progress. She also serves as statistical and scientific reviewer for BMC journals and UCSF Health Awards. 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 Scroll down for information on more USDLA Free Friday Webinars, and additional events hosted by our colleagues. We’ll see you soon! 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 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

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