"Learning Tools" Conference Held at SIUE

The Department of Special Education and Communications Disorders (SECD) recently collaborated with the Madison County Regional Office of Education to offer a one-day professional conference on the very timely topic of “Learning Tools for the 21st Century” for area educators and SOE students. Dr. Bob Daiber, Superintendent of Madison County ROE, opened the conference and introduced the keynote speaker, Marilee Sprenger who addressed the topic of maximizing learning in a digital world. Techniques were discussed that combine educational neuroscience with best practices taken from cognitive science with a focus on how today’s students learn and communicate in a digital world. Participants then selected from a variety of break-out sessions that offered a range of information for administrators, educators, and related service agency providers regarding the use of technology in instruction. Presenters included Craig Miner and Amie King, faculty members in SECD, as well as the SOE’s Director of Instructional Technologies, Binod Pokhrel. In addition, eight different vendors were represented who demonstrated cutting-edge technologies and offered a wide collection of available electronic resources.