Welcome
The Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference offers an ensemble of keynote addresses, faculty innovations during concurrent sessions, technology workshops, and vendor exhibits. The conference program has evolved over the years to reflect emerging trends in technology applications in higher education and shared expertise in online teaching experiences and strategies.
Past FTTC Programs
2015 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference
2014 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference
2013 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference
2012 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference
2011 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference
2010 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference
2009 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference
2008 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference
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Registration
New and Improved Process!
- No Coupon Codes Necessary! Largest discount will be automatically applied.
- Workshops Included! The conference has moved to a two-day format and so workshops are no longer a separate fee.
- Easier Registration! Guest checkout is now available.
- Full Conference
- $120
- Early bird rate! Ends Oct. 1
- Thursday AND Friday.
- Workshops included.
- Lunch provided.
- Single Day
- $80
- Early bird rate! Ends Oct. 1
Pick the day that best suits your schedule. - Thursday OR Friday.
- Workshops included.
- Lunch provided.
- Sponsored Attendee
- Varies
- Includes faculty/staff from sponsoring institutions, vendors, and presenters.
- Thursday AND Friday.
- Workshops included.
- Lunch provided.
Program
Thursday, November 3
JC Penney Conference Center
| Presenter | Time | Room | Title and Description |
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Friday, November 4
JC Penney Conference Center
| Presenter | Time | Room | Title and Description |
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Institutional Partners
Gold
100% Faculty Discount
Silver
50% Faculty Discount
Bronze
25% Faculty Discount
Sponsor the Conference - Due October 1
Conference sponsorship is available for both institutional partners (colleges and universities) or vendor sponsors. Complete the form below to join the all-stars, pictured above.
Call for Institutional Sponsors
Call for Vendor Sponsors
Submitting a vendor proposal?
2015 Vendor Sponsors
This Year's Sponsors
Silver
Bronze
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Derek Bruff
Director, Center for Teaching
Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics
Vanderbilt University
Biography:
Derek Bruff is director of the Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching and a senior lecturer in the Vanderbilt Department of Mathematics. As director, he oversees the Center’s programming and offerings for faculty and graduate students, helping them develop foundational teaching skills and explore new ideas in teaching and learning. He also consults regularly with campus leaders about pedagogical issues, seeking to foster a university culture that supports effective teaching.
Bruff served on the board of directors of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network from 2010 to 2013, and currently serves as co-PI on a three-year, $750,000 National Science Foundation grant supporting the creation of two MOOCs (massive open online courses) on evidence-based teaching practices for future STEM faculty.
Bruff’s research interests include educational technology, visual thinking, and social pedagogies. He blogs on these topics at derekbruff.org, and his book, Teaching with Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments, was published by Jossey-Bass in 2009. Bruff has taught at Harvard University and has a PhD in mathematics from Vanderbilt University.
Plenary Address: Class Time Reconsidered
How can we make the most of the relatively limited time we have with our students during class? That is the central and very useful question at the heart of the flipped classroom, an idea that has caught the attention of higher education like few others. Answering this question requires attention to what we ask of students both during and outside of class time. In this talk, we’ll unpack the idea of the flipped classroom and explore learning principles and teaching practices that can help us make more intentional and effective use of class time—and engage our students in deeper learning.
Workshop: Good Questions, Deep Learning
Classroom response systems, whether they use dedicated “clickers” or leverage students’ mobile devices, enable instructors to rapidly collect and analyze student responses to multiple-choice and sometimes free-response questions. Although these systems can be used to ask students the kinds of questions you might put on a test, other kinds of questions can often promote deeper learning. In this workshop, we’ll explore ways to use classroom response systems to help students engage in active learning in the classroom and to provide information on student learning you can use to be a more agile teacher.
Nominate an Instructor for the FTTC Teaching With Technology Award
Dr. Derek Bruff
Director, Center for Teaching
Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics
Vanderbilt University
Biography:
Derek Bruff is director of the Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching and a senior lecturer in the Vanderbilt Department of Mathematics. As director, he oversees the Center’s programming and offerings for faculty and graduate students, helping them develop foundational teaching skills and explore new ideas in teaching and learning. He also consults regularly with campus leaders about pedagogical issues, seeking to foster a university culture that supports effective teaching.
Bruff served on the board of directors of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network from 2010 to 2013, and currently serves as co-PI on a three-year, $750,000 National Science Foundation grant supporting the creation of two MOOCs (massive open online courses) on evidence-based teaching practices for future STEM faculty.
Bruff’s research interests include educational technology, visual thinking, and social pedagogies. He blogs on these topics at derekbruff.org, and his book, Teaching with Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments, was published by Jossey-Bass in 2009. Bruff has taught at Harvard University and has a PhD in mathematics from Vanderbilt University.
Plenary Address: Class Time Reconsidered
How can we make the most of the relatively limited time we have with our students during class? That is the central and very useful question at the heart of the flipped classroom, an idea that has caught the attention of higher education like few others. Answering this question requires attention to what we ask of students both during and outside of class time. In this talk, we’ll unpack the idea of the flipped classroom and explore learning principles and teaching practices that can help us make more intentional and effective use of class time—and engage our students in deeper learning.
Workshop: Good Questions, Deep Learning
Classroom response systems, whether they use dedicated “clickers” or leverage students’ mobile devices, enable instructors to rapidly collect and analyze student responses to multiple-choice and sometimes free-response questions. Although these systems can be used to ask students the kinds of questions you might put on a test, other kinds of questions can often promote deeper learning. In this workshop, we’ll explore ways to use classroom response systems to help students engage in active learning in the classroom and to provide information on student learning you can use to be a more agile teacher.
We are accepting nominees for a Teaching With Technology Award for an instructor who has used technology in innovative and effective ways in classroom or online teaching. You can find out more and submit a nomination below. The deadline is October 1.
Tami Eggleston
2015 FTTC Teaching with Technology Award Winner
Tami Eggleston is a professor of psychology and the associate dean for institutional effectiveness at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. Tami loves to teach face-to-face, online, or in blended classes. Tami has won various teaching awards including the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Her goal in teaching, presenting, or consulting is to educate, engage, and inspire.
Basiyr Rodney
2015 FTTC Teaching with Technology Award Winner
Dr. Rodney is Associate Professor of Educational Technology at Webster University where he prepares a new generation of caring, reflective and innovative teachers. His main areas of expertise are the professional development of educators and the enhancement of learning environments with digital-age technologies. Basiyr also researches strategies for improving Technology Pedagogy and Content Knowledge (TPACK) using mobile and cloud-based technologies. Dr. Rodney is recognized as a visionary who continually explores ways in which digital-age technologies accelerate self-regulation and student learning. An evangelist for the advancement of democratic learning environments, Basiyr is passionate about the role technology plays in supporting the thinkers of tomorrow. Of additional importance to him is the equity of access and the level of personalization that mobile technologies provide for traditionally underserved and marginalized learners.
Submit a Nominee for the 2016 Award
Please read all criteria before submitting a nominee.
Award CriteriaPrintable Version
Make a Nomination
Award Criteria and Form
Two awards will be given in the following categories:
- Traditional – These are classes that meet face to face. They may contain blended or flipped components, but they have established meeting times that occur in a physical classroom.
- Online – These are classes that take place online. They don’t have established meeting times, nor do they meet in a physical classroom.
The two awards will be given to the recipients who best demonstrate pedagogically sound and innovative uses for educational technology in their teaching.
Eligibility Requirements
The nominee must be a higher education instructor and a registered attendee of the conference.
Nomination Criteria
Nominations can be made online using the link below. Each nominee must provide examples of how s/he:
- Creates and implements useful and creative ways to incorporate technology into course design and instruction.
- Demonstrates an 'innovative' approach to teaching within their discipline through the use of technology.
- Provides and maintains an engaging student learning experience through active learning and technology integration.
As you write the nomination, gather evidence that addresses these guiding questions:
- How does the nominee engage with students?
- How does the nominee integrate technology into student learning?
- How has the nominee shared what s/he has created/learned?
Scope of Award
For the purpose of the award, the term "innovation" will be loosely defined by the nominees. "Technology" can be anything from computer-based learning devices, software, course design, application of technology in the learning environment. "Instruction / Teaching" is defined as teaching an undergraduate or graduate course in higher education.
Deadline
Deadline for nominations is October 1, 2016 by end of business day. Award selection will be made by FTTC Teaching Award Committee members. Awards will be presented before Friday's keynote address at 12:30.
×Maps
UMSL North Campus
JC Penney Conference Center
Parking available in West Garage and Millennium Student Center (MSC) Garages. A shuttle will be available to/from the MSC Garages at the beginning and end of each conference day.
Lodging
Conference attendees can get a special rate at the Drury Inn-Airport that includes a free shuttle ride to the UMSL campus.The special rate is available from November 2-4.
Drury Inn and Suites - Airport
10490 Natural Bridge Rd St Louis, MO 63134
(314) 423-7700
Reserve Your Stay
Rate: $99/night + tax (valid through Oct. 3)
- Free Hot Quikstart Breakfast
- Free 5:30 Kickback (food and beverages)
- Free Wireless Internet
- Free Long Distance Calling
- Free Shuttle to UMSL available on conference days at designated times (TBD)