Cengage Learning Announces National Course Technology Conference

STAMFORD, Conn., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Course Technology, part of Cengage Learning and a leading provider of computing and information technology courseware, today announced the 16th Annual National Conference for technology educators and administrators from universities, community colleges, career schools and high schools. The conference, to be held March 16-18 in Orlando, Florida, is part of Cengage Learning's ongoing commitment to support instructors with professional development opportunities.

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Today's technology instructors face numerous challenges. Many are confronted with reduced funding, record breaking enrollments, and a diverse student population representing various ages, education levels, enrollment status and work/family commitments. In addition, technology is constantly evolving and instructors are often hard-pressed to find the time to learn how to use new products and applications before turning around to teach their students.

Course Technology's annual conference is the top professional development event for computing instructors across the country. The conference is organized to empower computer technology educators to learn about new solutions and equip them to address many of these challenges. Conference attendees are invited to take part in more than 70 professional development sessions, many of which are hosted by their peers.  A new highlight for this year's conference includes a 'Digital Lounge'. Attendees will be able to interact on slate devices and touch screen monitors featuring Cengage Learning digital solutions and services.

"We want instructors to have to opportunity to meet, share ideas and techniques and take all of that information back to their classrooms. The more ideas that are shared and subsequently implemented, the more students will benefit," said Jonathan Hulbert, Executive Vice President and Publisher, Business and Computing, Cengage Learning.  "The conference affords instructors the chance to learn latest software, technology solutions and academic and industry trends from peers as well as industry leaders."

Attendees have the opportunity to learn how to use various print and digital products, such as MindTap, the newly released personal learning experience from Cengage Learning.  In addition conference sessions focused on Microsoft's Office 2010, SAM and Nintendo® Wii™ will highlight new and inventive methods to bring technology into today's classroom. Many of the sessions focus on professional development topics directly related to the challenges instructors face in the classroom.

Topics include:

• teaching soft skills to students
• enhancing courses with multimedia video tutorials
• learning what's new in Microsoft® certification from Certiport®
• using social media in the classroom
• utilizing the newest Google applications like Wave and Lab
• using cell phones and mobile devices for class work
• how to implement cloud computing in courses
• latest curriculum trends and best practices in assessment

Utilizing new technologies to motivate and engage students and, as a result, improve learning outcomes will be the main focus of the conference. Some sessions will help attendees build on their current knowledge of technology solutions.  Attendees will participate in hands-on training conducted on laptops in the learning center, and will also have the opportunity to preview and learn about next generation solutions such as Web 2.0, Adobe CS5, and Social Media. In addition, attendees can network and share their best practices with more than 600 other instructors onsite.

For more information on the conference agenda, session descriptions or to register for the event, please visit http://www.cengagesites.com/academic/?site=4907&SecID=3154. For more information on Course Technology, please visit www.course.cengage.com.

About Cengage Learning

Cengage Learning delivers highly customized learning solutions for colleges, universities, instructors, students, libraries, government agencies, corporations and professionals around the world. These solutions are delivered through specialized content, applications and services that foster academic excellence, professional development, and measurable learning outcomes. Cengage Learning's existing company and imprint brands include Heinle, Gale, Wadsworth, Delmar, Brooks/Cole and South-Western, among others.  For more information on Cengage Learning please visit www.cengage.com.

About Course Technology

Course Technology, part of Cengage Learning, publishes texts and electronic resources for information technology and media arts students and instructors. Course Technology utilizes innovative technologies to help instructors teach and students learn. For more information, visit www.cengage.com/coursetechnology.

SOURCE Cengage Learning