2020 SLATE Conference
Northern Illinois University Conference Center
Naperville, IL
November 11-13, 2020


Each conference continues a long tradition of communication, collaboration, and innovation for all who attended. The 2019 SLATE Conference continues to challenge individuals, institutions, and organizations from across the country to engage in discussing the biggest challenges, hottest trends, and common issues focused on the use and application of technology in education. Plan to join us on October 2-4, 2019, at the NIU campus/conference center in Naperville, IL, which is along the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor (thirty minutes from downtown Chicago), as we continue a long tradition of communication, collaboration, and innovation for all who attended. Over the past fourteen years over 4,000 people representing over 250 individual institutions from the Midwest, across the country, and around the world have attended this conference.

Recognizing that deployment issues, support concerns, teaching strategies, learning styles, best practices, etc. are common among the varied CMS/LMS platforms, this conference invites all faculty, system administrators, Web developers, instructional designers, librarians, students, and user support staff from institutions that are deploying and/or currently using any Web-based tools, applications, or programs, in their teaching and learning.


GET INVOLVED

The 2019 SLATE Conference is your conference and we couldn’t do it without a little help from our friends. Opportunities abound for you to be involved; give a presentation, participate in a panel session, lead a roundtable, participate in a birds-of-a-feather discussion, or volunteer to help.



CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
- Opening Soon -

The SLATE Conference is one of the premier educational technology conferences in the Midwest, known for offering a wide variety of topics ranging from best practices and pedagogy, to innovative teaching resources and cutting edge technologies. Speakers are encouraged to submit proposals whose general focus is the use of technology in teaching and learning regardless of the platform or tools being used. Proposals that extend beyond this framework will always be considered.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Share ideas and learn more about what other institutions are doing; discuss best practices and shared learning issues; choose from over sixty different breakout and learning sessions. Meet with vendors and development partners. And some time to unwind and socialize at the conference welcome reception.







THINGS TO DO

NIU Naperville is easily accessible from Interstates 88 and 355, just 27 miles from both O'Hare and Midway Airports, and less than five miles from the Metra Train Station. NIU Naperville offers many great dining options within walking distance of the campus, plus others a short drive to downtown Naperville. 



REGISTRATION 
- Opening Soon -

Click below, select your payment option (credit card or purchase order) and complete and submit the registration form. We have been fortunate to be able to keep the cost of this conference very affordable (compared to others of similar scope), even if you are paying for this out of your own pocket. Remember, It is still important for you to develop your skills, stay on top of teaching and technology trends, and most importantly, continue to network with others that may be in the same situation as you are.

https://sites.google.com/a/slategroup.org/site/conference/download-3.jpg

FIVE REASON TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL SLATE CONFERENCE


      1. Educational Opportunities: No matter how experienced you are, everyone can learn. Often being isolating, and without exposure to a variety of points of view, we can miss new ideas and trends that can impact future results. 
  1. Networking with Peers: Conferences provide a great opportunity to network. Collaboration is the best way to approach networking. Most people can help each other uncover ideas and spark inspiration once they get to know each other. 
  2. Encounter New Vendors and Suppliers: Too often people shy away from the trade show exhibit hall at conferences. They fear that they will have to talk to salespeople, but these industry suppliers are some of the best people for you to get to know if you want to learn more about the current business climate. Discovering innovative products and services is necessary to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced world. Invest time with the sponsors at the event and turn them into your friends and allies. 
  3. Position Yourself as an Expert: When you are active in your user community, you can develop a reputation as an expert to your peers. Those who are engaged over the long term are often asked to speak at the events and to write articles via social media. Like it or not, others like to associate with the experts in any industry.
  4. Have Fun: All work and no play can get old fast. Conferences can add a layer of enjoyment to managing your career growth by mixing a social aspect into your learning and industry branding efforts.


CONFERENCE POLICIES

Please review these policies which are intended to assure the comfort and privacy of all conference participants. 
  • Name badge is required and must be displayed at all times.
  • No smoking is permitted in the conference center - only outside designated areas.
  • All devices must be silenced and screens darkened during presentations.
  • No photography or recording is allowed during presentation without the consent of the presenter.
  • Registration to the conference is not a guarantee of seating being available in every session in the program. It is the responsibility of registrants to review the program, arrive at presentation rooms in a timely fashion. Please make use of any and all available seating, keeping personal items on your lap or beneath your seat, not on the seat next to you.