Conference Tracks

Security

In higher education, IT professionals are faced with an increasing number of security challenges: mobile devices, data privacy, regulatory compliance, and cyber threats  just to name a few. Incorporating risk management processes as well as responding to security threats and evaluating legal imperatives are at the forefront for those charged with providing technology and infrastructure to meet the needs of the institution.

Idea Starters – suggested topics:

• Forensics
• Encryption
• Wireless – authentication & VPN
• Intrusion detection
• Firewalls
• Disaster recovery
• E-mail policies
• Virus/spam/malware protection
• Identity Management

Leadership/Management

Key challenges for any higher education IT organization is managing effectively in an environment of increasing demands and decreasing resources. Management, leadership and "soft" skills are pivotal to meeting these challenges.  This track explores management skills and techniques. It is designed to challenge your thinking, generate or create new concepts for service excellence, and engage you in stimulating dialogue with your peers.

Idea Starters – suggested topics:

• Managing information distribution on campus
• Strategic Issues
• Career portal: inspiring students to pursue careers in IT
• Ethics of change/Change Management
• IT strategic planning and governance structures
• Collaboration and shared services
• Web content management
• IT funding strategies
• Team building and motivation
• Service culture
• Effective communication
• Performance management and metrics
• Innovation

Client Services

As technology becomes increasingly interwoven with all aspects of higher education, support and training resources are being pushed to their limits. Many times the focus is on pushing out the technology without consideration for the impact of these changes. This track will focus on support and training strategies, tools and new approaches to an age-old problem.

Idea Starters – suggested topics:

• Remote support tools
• Online support delivery (knowledge bases, self-service password management, etc.)
• Technology training approaches (instructor-led, e-learning, blended training)
• Knowledge transfer: from help desk to development team and vice-versa
• Student technology centers
• Distance learning support challenges
• Help Desk
• Training
• Support and training model

Applications Development and System Support

Those responsible for academic and administration systems support are often faced with providing the means as well as the tools and support needed to meet rising expectations. This track will focus on innovative approaches to using technology for system support as well as in teaching and learning.

Idea Starters – suggested topics:

• Web-enabled student or administrative systems
• Cloud Computing
• Packaged Software – how much to customize
• Data Warehouse
• Workflow
• Open Source learning
• Building engaging courses with technology
• Bring training to faculty
• Achieving Mobile Solutions in the Classroom
• Online Instructional Outreach
• Real World Technology for a Virtual Generation
• Statewide Digital Commons: Hosting CMS in Ohio
• Innovation, Emerging Technology, and Shiny New Gadgets

Academic Technologies

Learn how your peers are using the latest tools and technologies, or how they are adapting old technologies for new uses. In this track you will learn how to leverage technology in new and exciting ways, and make that technology more fun and useful.

Idea Starters – suggested topics:

• Infrastructure
• Teaching and learning
• How technology impacts students and faculty
• eLearning/Distance education support activities
• New uses for old technology