15th Annual SLATE Conference
Northern Illinois University Conference Center  •  Naperville, IL
October 18 - 20, 2017

3  Days  •  15  Vendors  •  65  Presentations  •  Almost 100 Schools


"SLATE is living its mission of being an exemplar as a community of practice. Your organization has been able to build partnerships amongst specialists in our profession that not only add value to us in our daily support roles, but also enables us to see what we can be like in the future".


Last year's conference continued a long tradition of communication, collaboration, and innovation for all who attended. The 15th Annual 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 18-20, 2017, at the NIU campus/conference center in Naperville, IL, which is along the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor (thirty minutes from downtown Chicago).

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.

So come join us this year to:
  • Share ideas and learn more about what other institutions are doing     
  • Discuss best practices and shared learning issues
  • Choose from over sixty different sessions in multiple tracks
  • Participate in pre-conference workshops and hands-on training sessions (optional) 
  • Participate in the Birds-of-a Feather round table discussions
  • Meet with sponsoring vendors and development partners onsite
  • Take some time to unwind and socialize at the conference reception


CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

Call for Presentations for the 15th Annual SLATE Conference is NOW CLOSED. 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. 




   REGISTRATION OPEN   

Standard Registration is NOW OPEN. 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 are paying for this out of your own pocket. Remember, It is still important for you to continue 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. 




http://registeruo.niu.edu/iebms/wbe/wbe_p1_main.aspx?oc=40&cc=WBE4014785


PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

This year we are able to offer, six intensive, information-packed workshops, where you'll tackle some very intriguing topics and get a comprehensive overview of some of the key issues you'll need to be thinking about for you and your institution. Pre-conference workshops will be offered on the morning of Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Exact times, room locations, and additional information have been posted. Advanced registration and additional fees are required for pre-conference workshops. Seating is limited so register early. All pre-conference workshops have an additional registration fee of $50 each.




https://sites.google.com/a/slategroup.org/site/conference/workshops



FIVE REASON TO ATTEND THE 2017 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. 
  2. 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. 
  3. 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. 
  4. 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.
  5. 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.