Professional Development Opportunities

The Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), founded in 1981, is an international, not-for-profit, educational organization with the mission of advancing Information Technology in Education and E-Learning research, development, learning, and its practical application. AACE serves the profession with international conferences, high quality publications, leading-edge Digital Library, Career Center, and other opportunities for professional growth. AACE is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, and believes that it is impossible to identify and communicate the full range of stories about education and technology without incorporating the perspective of everyone. AACE does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or incivility across any of its communications or interactions.

Benefits

AACE members can enjoy several benefits including:

1. Conferences and Events: AACE organizes conferences and events that provide opportunities for faculty to present their research, share best practices, and engage with peers in the field of educational technology and e-learning.
2. Networking Opportunities: Membership in AACE facilitates networking with professionals, researchers, and educators who share an interest in the integration of technology in education. Networking can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and exposure to diverse perspectives.
3. Recognition and Awards: AACE recognizes outstanding contributions to the field through awards and honors. Faculty members may have the chance to be acknowledged for their work and achievements.

The Association for Educational Communications and Technology is the premier organization for those actively involved in the design of instruction and a systematic approach to learning. AECT provides an international forum for the exchange and dissemination of ideas for its members and for target audiences. It is the national and international voice for improvement of instruction and the most recognized association of information concerning a wide range of instructional and educational technology. Since 1923, AECT has been the professional home for this field of interest and has continuously maintained a central position in the field, promoting high standards, in both scholarship and practice with nine Divisions and a Graduate Student Assembly that represent the breadth and depth of the field. AECT produces two bimonthly journals, Educational Technology Research and Development and TechTrends.

Benefits

AECT members can enjoy several benefits including:

1. Networking Opportunities: Membership in AECT allows faculty to connect with other professionals, researchers, and educators in the field of educational technology. Networking can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and the exchange of ideas.
2. Access to Resources: Members typically have access to a wealth of resources, including publications, journals, and research articles. This helps faculty stay current with the latest research and best practices in educational technology.
3. Conference Participation: AECT organizes an annual international conference, providing faculty with the chance to present their research, share insights, and engage in discussions with peers. Attending or presenting at these conferences can enhance visibility with in the field.

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to lead the way, advancing the strategic use of technology and data to further the promise of higher education. EDUCAUSE connects and empowers its member community through insights, advocacy, resources, and learning opportunities to anticipate trends and strengthen professional practice. It welcomes diversity—in viewpoints and experience—and believes in inspiring the transformation of higher education in service to a greater good.

Benefits

EDUCAUSE members can enjoy several benefits including:

1. Professional Development Opportunities: EDUCAUSE offers conferences, webinars, workshops, and other events that provide opportunities for professional development in the realm of information technology in higher education. These events cover a wide range of topics, from IT strategy to emerging technologies.
2. Access to Research and Publications: EDUCAUSE publishes research reports, white papers, and other publications that cover current trends, best practices, and challenges in higher education technology. Members gain access to these valuable resources to stay informed and make informed decisions.
3. Communities and Special Interest Groups (SIGs): EDUCAUSE facilitates communities and SIGs that focus on specific areas of interest or expertise within higher education IT. Joining these groups allows members to engage in discussions, share experiences, and collaborate on projects.

Founded in 1979, ISTE’s (International Society for Technology in Education) mission is to empower educators to reimagine and redesign learning through impactful pedagogy and meaningful technology use. ISTE achieves this by offering transformative professional learning, fostering vibrant communities, and ensuring that digital tools and experiences are accessible and effective. In 2019, ISTE acquired EdSurge, an independent education news site that delivers education-focused journalism and research, and supports the education industry with a Product Index, Jobs Board and more. In 2023, ISTE merged with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), combining expertise in technology and innovation with research-based professional learning for educators and education leaders.

Benefits

ISTE members can enjoy several benefits including:

1. ISTE Standards: ISTE has developed a set of standards for educators, students, and educational leaders related to the use of technology in education. Joining ISTE provides educators with a framework for integrating technology effectively into teaching and learning.
2. ISTE Certification: ISTE offers certification programs for educators who want to demonstrate their proficiency in integrating technology in the classroom. Achieving ISTE certification can enhance professional credibility.
3. Recognition and Awards: ISTE recognizes outstanding achievements in educational technology through awards and honors. Members may have the opportunity to be acknowledged for their contributions to the field.

“The “Lincoln Legacy Teaching and Learning Community” (or LLTLC) is the successor to the “Faculty Summer Institute” (or FSI), which for a quarter century hosted an annual conference of educators and instructional-technology professionals. Each May, participants came to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from across Illinois and as far away as Canada. Conference presenters are encouraged to share their experiences and teaching methods using active learning, participant discussion and hands-on activities. Networking is a fundamental component of LLTLC, and there are many opportunities for social engagement during receptions, scheduled activities, and concurrent sessions.”

The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) is a collaborative community of higher education leaders and innovators, dedicated to advancing quality digital teaching and learning experiences designed to reach and engage the modern learner – anyone, anywhere, anytime. OLC inspires innovation and quality through an extensive set of resources, including best-practice publications, quality benchmarking, leading-edge instruction, community-driven conferences, practitioner-based and empirical research, and expert guidance. The growing OLC community includes faculty members, administrators, trainers, instructional designers, and other learning professionals, as well as educational institutions, professional societies, and corporate enterprises.

The Office of Online Learning manages the U. of I. memberships in OLC.

Benefits

OLC members can enjoy several benefits including:

1. Access to Resources: OLC offers access to a variety of resources, including research publications, journals, and best practice guides. Members can stay informed about the latest trends and innovations in online learning through these resources.
2. OLC Conferences: OLC organizes conferences that bring together experts and practitioners in online education. Members often receive discounted registration rates for these events, providing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and networking.
3. Awards and Recognition: OLC recognizes excellence in online learning through awards and honors. Members may have the opportunity to showcase their achievements or contribute to the advancement of online education through these recognition programs.

“In 1987, the USDLA was founded on the premise of creating a powerful alliance to meet the burgeoning education and training needs of learning communities via new concepts of the fusion of communication technologies with learning in broad multidiscipline applications.

An elected President, Executive Committee, and a governing board now govern USDLA.

The learning communities that the USDLA addresses are: pre K-12, higher education, continuing education, corporate training, military and government training, home schooling, and telehealth. In addition the USDLA is also focused on national and international technology based distance learning.

USDLA through its mission of … supporting the development and application of distance learning … focuses on all legislation impacting the distance learning community and its constituencies.“

WCET, the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies, is the leader in the practice, policy, and advocacy of digital learning in higher education. It is a member-driven organization that brings together colleges, universities, higher education organizations, and companies to collectively improve the quality and reach of digital learning programs. WCET was founded by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) to meet a growing need to integrate distance learning and educational technology into the academic services of higher education institutions in the western (U.S.) region. Membership with WCET provides opportunities to connect with colleagues to advance policies and practices aimed at helping institutions succeed in implementing innovative academic technology initiatives.

The Office of Online Learning manages the U. of I. memberships in WCET.

Benefits

WCET members can enjoy several benefits including:

1. Professional Development Opportunities: WCET offers professional development opportunities through conferences, webinars, and workshops. These events cover topics related to technology-enhanced learning, online education, and digital learning strategies.
2. Networking Opportunities: Membership in WCET facilitates networking with professionals in the field of educational technology. Members can connect with colleagues, share experiences, and collaborate on projects and initiatives.
3. Policy and Advocacy: WCET is actively involved in advocacy efforts related to technology-enhanced education. Members may have the opportunity to participate in advocacy initiatives, stay informed about policy developments, and contribute to the shaping of educational technology policies.