Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Three Steps to Start Preparing for the 2012 SLATE Conference

We are less than a month away from the start of the 10th Annual SLATE Conference, October 11-12, at Northern Illinois University Naperville. If you've not yet registered yet, there is still time! Register before Sunday, September 30th to receive the stardard individual registration rate of only $150 per person. Group registration discounts are also still available. More registration details are at www.slategroup.org/conference/register

For those who are already registered, here are three suggestions to help you prepare for your conference:

1. Add a pre-conference workshop to your registration

New this year, the SLATE Conference will include two pre-conference workshop options that participants can choose from. Workshops will be offered from 9:00AM-11:30AM on Thursday, October 11th. Space is limited and those who wish to attend must register for the selected pre-conference workshop separately. Lunch is included.

The following pre-conference workshops are available, to be led by Blackboard:

Save Time! Grade Center Shortcuts
Teaching online takes time, and saving time in course management means more time for student interaction. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to use five Blackboard Learn tools that can save time when managing the Blackboard grade center. The 2 ½ hour workshop provides instruction on using the Rubrics tool, Notification Modules, Needs Grading Options, Grade Center Shortcuts, and Smart Views. A student-populated course will be provided for practice. Get your Grade Center questions answered! More details and register here.

SIS Integration Framework 101
Many clients are now running Blackboard Learn 9.1 SP6 or above and are now able to take advantage of the new SIS Integration Framework. In this 2 ½ hour workshop, participants will have an opportunity to learn about and gain a better understanding of how to use the Blackboard SIS Integration Framework. Topics will include: Identification of basic data elements, behaviors, and business rules for automation and configuration of the SIS Integration Framework. You will have an opportunity to learn how the framework operates, what best practices are associated with the framework, and how others in the workshop have used the framework. More details and register here.

2. Let your colleagues know you are attending the conference and invite them to join you!

Join the conversation! See who else is attending and follow the SLATE Conference social networking:

Space is still available to register, so invite your colleagues to join you! Those who register by Sunday, September 30th can stil receive the stardard individual registration rate of only $150 per person and group registration discounts are still available. More registration details are at www.slategroup.org/conference/register.

3. Make your hotel reservation

For those who will be needing hotel accommodations, rooms are available at a conference discount at both the Courtyard and Hampton Inn, both facilities which are directly across the street from the conference center and offer shuttle service to the conference center, local train station, and downtown Naperville. Reservations must be made by September 19th at the Courtyard or September 30th at the Hampton Inn to secure the discounted conference rate. More details and book your reservation at www.slategroup.org/conference/accommodations

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

- SLATE Conference Team

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