The houses in the town are also typically 2 storey, weather board, without verandahs, fences or outdoor eating areas - in fact everything is geared for cold weather here. We have been very lucky and have had perfect weather so far

Conference Day 1 - Iowa Distance Learning Association
Today I had the great experience of attending 2 seminars delivered by William A. Draves who is a quoted expert on lifeling learning and online learning. Bill is the president of the Learning Resources Network (LERN) www.lern.org and authored several books.

Bill's first seminar focused on 'a different kind of teacher' for the new teaching environment. Today's teacher needs to respond to individual learning styles; to focus on outcomes and knowledge; find strengths in the indiviual's skills; be aware that there are different learning styles for the different generations.

In the 2nd seminar, Bill explained the generational learning styles: the veterans (sorry Mum that's you!); the baby boomers (that's me and anyone born between 1946 - 64); Generation X (1965- 1979); and Generation Y (1980-2000). The latest generation > 2000 hasn't been named as yet. The point about the learning style is that each generation has lived through a particular time where things are done or thought in a particular way. He gave some excellent tips for teaching Gen Y one of which was to 'make learning relevant'. I liked that one especially.

Conference Day 2 - Main day of Conference

Bill Draves gave the keynote address entitled "Nine Shift: Work, Life and Education in 21st Century" www.nineshift.com This address focused on how the internet is changing how we live and that by 2020 a way of life as we once knew it will be over - the internet will be predominant.

In the afternoon I delivered my presentation "Distance Education - An Australian Perspective" in a breakout session to a small group of interested and interesting educators. The Cowra CGVE group will be pleased to know that your photo was a great hit so thank you all for allowing me to show your happy faces in America! Two of the participants at the session are very keen to set up videoconference session between our students and theirs!

I attended another breakout session on the lastest digital tools for teaching: digital pens; e-books which have an embedded video chip; dynamic software demonstrating calculus and trig (Denise you would have been impressed I promise!); virtual calculators; tablet pc's. I also saw a portable digital whiteboard system demonstrated which is a cheaper option to smartboard www.mimio.com

I was delighted to be present at the Conference and be welcomed so warmly by a great group of people. Thank you to Donna for liaising with me to help me coordinate my attendance at the Conference.

written by  Sally Delaney on April 19, 2007 from Cedar Rapids, United States
from the travel blog: Sally DeLearning - American Style 2007
Send a Compliment

---

Sounds like you're having a fascinating and edifying time. You'll be a wonderful source of information when you return. The conference sounds great - particularly relevant for all of us who are teaching across different generations.

Keep on learning

Sue

written by  Sue Press on April 22, 2007

---

Sally,

We are so glad that you came to the IDLA Conference. I know you made some very important connections with the Iowans who are as passionate about distance learning as you are. I enjoyed your presentation about Australia as well and the methods you use to teach your students virtually.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your journey here. I will continue reading your blogs to see how things go. Also, thanks so much for the Australian trinkets….totally a surprise!

Keep the learning going,

Donna Jones

written by  Donna Jones on April 23, 2007

---

sounds like ur havin a lot of fun
from beau

written by  beau on May 7, 2007

---

You should also try Italia:)
Great country...:)

written by  Valle D'Aosta on January 14, 2013

comment on this...