Montgomery County Community College is looking for proposals for papers, hands-on labs and roundtables from educators with their heads “in the cloud” for its 17th Annual Technology and Learning Conference.

“Participants attend the conference to find out what direction technology and learning is headed,” said MCCC’s Kathryn Ishler. “What are the next cutting-edge information technologies that can be used in our classrooms? Participants have the chance to explore the strategies and technologies that will shape the way they implement technology into the curriculum and to exchange best practices from experts in their area and learn from their practical experience.”

According to Ishler, the Technology and Learning Conference provides an opportunity for professional development for faculty members and administrators from higher education as well as teachers from the K to 12 school districts.

The conference theme, “Get Your Head in the Cloud,” allows participants to follow topic threads in the areas of teaching and learning, student success and support services, security and identity management, library, emerging technology and e-Learning, according to a press release.

September 9 is the deadline to submit proposals for the Oct. 7 conference. Proposals can be submitted online

Past conferences attracted faculty and administrators from all over the region, and as many as 350 participants attended each previous conference, Ishler said.

“This year we are moving some of our conference sessions, as well as the vendor area, to our newly renovated Parkhouse atrium. Moving to the new space will provide a greater opportunity for more people to attend and enjoy the conference.” 

The conference will is scheduled to begin with a keynote address from Terry Anderson, who teaches educational technology courses in Athabasca University's master’s and doctoral distance education programs. He is also director of the Canadian Institute for Distance Education Research (CIDER) and edits the International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, according to the press release. 

Last year’s conference covered about 24 presentations, Ishler said.

“We hope to surpass it in both quality and quantity this year," Ishler said.

Previously submitted proposals included sessions on Apple technology, course delivery methods, collaboration and community building in higher education, mobile technology and Web 2.0 interactive technologies. This year, the college plans to have sessions on technologies discussed in the 2011 Horizon Report; electronic books, augmented reality and game-based learning.

Cost of attending the conference is $80 if registrations are received by Sept. 26 and $100 for those received after that date. Cost includes all conference materials, parking, continental breakfast and lunch. Registration is free for the primary presenter of any session.

Vendors are also invited to participate in the conference by attending and participating in events, sponsoring the conference or donating an item for the giveaway raffle.

For more information on the various vendor levels, for submitting proposals, or for registration information, visit www.mc3.edu/techday or e-mail techday@mc3.edu.

The conference will be held Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college’s central campus in Blue Bell.