Valdosta State University presents TIES Conference Feb. 18-20. Ok first things first, you may be wondering what a TIES conferences is. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s not about ties. However it is about education and e-learning and these are noble causes which I very much support. There’s also some discussion on storytelling in virtual worlds too, hurrah!
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 — Feb. 18-20 in the Student Union.
This is a three day conference and the linked post above contains further information :
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 costs $69; includes all materials, breakfast and lunch on the second and third day of the conference, a social, and more; and will be accepted up through 1 p.m. the first day of the conference.
However for those of us who are fans of virtual worlds and storytelling, there’s even more details further in the post.
Day 2 is where things seem to get a bit more appealing for virtual world fans, with Second Life 101: Creating an Avatar, Exploring, and Teaching in Second Life.
- Dr. Michelle Ocasio, Valdosta State University
- Dr. Fleming Bell, Valdosta State University
- Dr. Karen Acosta, Valdosta State University
- Dr. Beatriz Potter, Valdosta State University
For the beginning user, this Second Life workshop aims to demonstrate some of the practical and educational uses of virtual worlds in distance learning and face-to-face interaction. Four speakers will explain engaging spontaneous and fun conversations in foreign language clubs, academic advising for distance students, coordinating student presentations for online courses, and oral assessments for online foreign language courses. A hands-on workshop to create an avatar and explore some interesting locations (including Valdosta State University Island) is included.
Day 3 also has potential with Digital Storytelling in Virtual Worlds: Designing Lessons Promoting Student Engagement.
- Dr. Steve Downey, Valdosta State University
This workshop presents and demonstrates the new Instruction for Massively Multiplayer Online Learning Environments, i-MMOLE 2.0, framework for designing lessons utilizing digital storytelling practices to promote student engagement and learning in virtual world environments. Participants will get hands-on time using the virtual world of Second Life as well as guidance for designing lessons using the i-MMOLE 2.0 framework.
Digital storytelling in a virtual world can of course go beyond Second Life.