PSU Hosts Global Conference On Open, Distance Ed

4-11-97

University Park, Pa. -- The University Park campus will be transformed into an international village June 2-6 when more than 1,000 educators and professionals from around the world gather for the 18th World Conference of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE).

The University joins the ranks of Oslo, Norway; Caracas, Venezuela; Bangkok, Thailand; and Birmingham, England, as a host site for an ICDE world conference. These conferences are held every other year.

The theme of the 18th ICDE World Conference is "The New Learning Environment: A Global Perspective." Five renowned speakers and more than 700 educators and professionals from 68 nations will present their research and participate in discussions during the five-day conference.

Gary Miller, assistant vice president for distance education at Penn State and conference program chairman, said the weeklong event will be an intensive discussion and interaction examining the implications of technology on the new learning model that is emerging worldwide.

The International Council for Open and Distance Education is the world association of open and distance learning institutions and professionals and of national and regional open and distance education associations. Representatives from more than 100 nations are members of ICDE, which has headquarters in Oslo, Norway. ICDE is affiliated with the United Nations through the U.N. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Each day of the conference will feature plenary presentations and discussions, poster and orientation sessions on one of four key themes:

- "The Changing Technological Environment;"

- "The New Educational Paradigm;"

- "Technology, Education and Sustainable Development;" and

- "Opportunities for International Cooperation." These themes will be examined within the context of 10 interest areas, some of which are: primary through secondary school applications; technology applications and emerging technologies; and partnerships and alliances.

Conference papers will be made available to participants in electronic format (computer disk and CD-ROM). In addition, selected papers will be published in an anthology on the theme of the conference. Conference sessions will be held at The Bryce Jordan Center. A Technology Exhibition, showcasing the latest in video, computer and communications technologies, also will be presented in conjunction with the conference. A number of preconferences also are planned in association with the 18th ICDE World Conference.

Accommodations for participants include the 18th World Conference International Village, which is being created for the conference, and the Penn State Conference Center and Nittany Lion Inn. The International Village will offer a 24-hour guest services desk and multilingual staff to assist conference participants and their traveling companions and families. There also will be free bus transportation during the conference.

For more information about the conference, visit the Web at http://www.cde.psu.edu/ICDE/brochure; or contact Anne Stevens about program content at (814) 865-2143; fax: (814) 865-3290; e-mail: abs4@cde.psu.edu; or Janet Patterson (about registration) at (814) 863-5127; fax: (814) 863-5190; e-mail: ICDE97@cde.psu.edu.

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