Kentucky Convergence has ended

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Kentucky Convergence

Thank you for attending this year’s Kentucky Convergence Conference! Next year’s conference will be November 7-8, 2024, so save the date and be on the look out for more information in the spring.

November 9-10, 2023
University of Louisville Event and Conference Center at ShelbyHurst Campus
450 North Whittington Parkway, Louisville, KY 40222

Convergence is the single event that brings together professionals in information technology, academic libraries, online learning, and instructional design from all the public and private colleges and universities in Kentucky and the surrounding states. Sponsored by Kentucky post-secondary institutions and private sector partners, Kentucky Convergence is a conference that emphasizes innovations and best practices in the fastest-growing areas of higher education.

Hotel Information

Coming from out of town? You can find area hotel information at https://louisville.edu/conferenceservices/where.

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10:30am EST

Identity Management Out of Control

Murray State University recently implemented a new identity and access management (IAM) platform, Rapid Identity, to provide a more streamlined login and self-service experience for the campus community. This session will provide attendees with an overview of IAM, how MSUâ€™s identity management and authentication systems were becoming unmanageable, and a walkthrough of their implementation.

Speakers

Laura Castleberry

Director, IS Service Management, Murray State University

Laura has worked in Information Systems at Murray State University since 2005. Laura started as part-time, supporting various teaching, learning, and technology applications, and providing user support for the campus community. Since then, Laura has taken on additional roles and responsibilities... Read More →

Duane Dycus

Information Security Officer, Murray State University

2023 KyConvergence IdentityManagement pdf

Thursday November 9, 2023 10:30am - 11:15am EST
Room 136A

11:30am EST

Is "Ungrading" a Good Fit for You?

"Ungrading" is an increasingly popular topic in higher education. Applying it isn't just a matter of not assigning points, but involves rethinking the power dynamics of education. When you adopt it as a philosophy you shift the power from your hands to your students. You provide guidance and paths toward mastery while leaving room for student goals. This session will explain the main characteristics and prompt you to assess if "Ungrading" is a good choice for you and your students.

Speakers

Juli Gatling

Special Initiatives Research and Development Lead, Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Dr. Juli Gatling teaches graduate level Digital Game-based Learning, is a faculty developer/instructional designer, leads special initiatives at the KCTCS Office of Teaching and Learning, and is co-founder of FacultyFYI.com.She's a confirmed multipotentialite, which she thinks is... Read More →

Thursday November 9, 2023 11:30am - 12:15pm EST
Room 136A

11:30am EST

Learning by Doing: How I Brought Robotic Process Automation (RPA) into the Classroom

Speakers

Alisha M Harper

Executive Director for Graduate Programs, Bellarmine University

Alisha Harper is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Bellarmine University. She received her B.A. from Shepherd University, her J.D. from the University of Louisville, and a LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University. Prior to joining the Bellarmine faculty, Alisha worked for... Read More →

Thursday November 9, 2023 11:30am - 12:15pm EST
Room 211

1:45pm EST

From TikTok to the Online Classroom: Using Short-Form Videos to Enhance College-Level Lectures and Assignments

"Social media platforms are widely popular, and leveraging them for active learning and interaction opportunities in online courses is not a new concept. However, generational groups engage with specific platforms differently. As of March 2023, TikTok has surpassed 150 million users in the United States alone and is particularly popular with Generation Z users. This session will answer the following questions:

Why is this video style so appealing and what is the theory behind its impact?

How can you create "TikTok Style" microlearning videos for your students?

What are the best practices for creating an assignment incorporating TikTok?

What are possible concerns and considerations when using or assigning TikTok videos?

What are alternative technology platforms you can leverage to create similar videos?

The session will conclude with a case study highlighting how TikTok was incorporated into an ENG 101 course.

Speakers

Melissa Cline-Douthitt

University of Louisville

Melissa Cline-Douthitt is an Instructional Designer for the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Louisville and also teaches online and hybrid English Composition courses as an adjunct instructor at Jefferson Community and Technical College. She holds a Master... Read More →

Danny McDonald

Instructional Design, University of Louisville

Danny McDonald, PhD is an Instructional Technology Consultant, Sr. for the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. He earned his B.S. degree (1998) in mathematics, an M.Div. (2008) in theology/philosophy, and a PhD (2014) in philosophy. Danny has over 23 years of experience in education... Read More →

Deb Hatfield

University of Louisville

Deb Hatfield, M. Ed., is an Instructional Designer at the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Louisville. Deb has a B.S in business (1992) from Spalding University and an M. Ed., (1999) in education from the University of Louisville (UofL). As a member of... Read More →

Thursday November 9, 2023 1:45pm - 2:30pm EST
Room 211

1:45pm EST

Guiding Student Usage of Generative AI

Speakers

Nedim Slijepcevic

Assistant Professor of Instructional Design, Eastern Kentucky University

Thursday November 9, 2023 1:45pm - 2:30pm EST
Room 136A

2:45pm EST

It's All in the Template: How Using Templates for Course Building Supports Quality Courses

This session will examine the benefits of using a good template. It will examine the components of a good template and how those components relate to the Quality Matters standards. Templates are useful for any course regardless of the mode of course delivery. This session will be helpful to instructional designers and faculty.

Speakers

Janice Poston

Curriculum Designer, Simmons College of Kentucky

Dr. Janice Poston has spent 31 years in higher education having served as an academic librarian, instructional developer, instructional technologist, adjunct faculty, and currently as Curriculum Designer at Simmons College of Kentucky. Janice holds a BS in Elementary Education, a... Read More →

It's All in the Template Convergence 2023 pptx

Thursday November 9, 2023 2:45pm - 3:30pm EST
Room 211

2:45pm EST

Swinging with Syntax: ChatGPT's Guide to Acing SOL and LO

Speakers

Dr. Bridget Prichard

Senior Instructional Designer, Morehead State University

Thursday November 9, 2023 2:45pm - 3:30pm EST
Room 14

2:45pm EST

The Value of Storytelling in Teaching and Learning to Enhance Engagement and Critical Thinking Skills

Speakers

Mary Sciaraffa

Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

Dr. Mary Sciaraffa, is a Professor in Child and Family Studies at Eastern KentuckyUniversity. She holds a doctorate degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Louisiana State University. She is also a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) through the National Council on Family Relations... Read More →

Mary Henson

Eastern Kentucky University

Thursday November 9, 2023 2:45pm - 3:30pm EST
Room 136A

3:45pm EST

Affirmative Action and the Supreme Court: Impact of Decision on Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education and the Workplace

Speakers

Jennifer Jackson

Faith Jackson

Thursday November 9, 2023 3:45pm - 4:30pm EST
Room 14

3:45pm EST

The Future of Learning: Integrating AI into Higher Education

This session will offer a brief introduction to artificial intelligence, specifically large language models like ChatGPT. There will be an overview of how to detect AI-generated content in student work and the problems with relying on AI-detectors. The session ends with some tips and strategies on how to avoid AI-generated responses in the classroom and challenges that students and teachers will face with artificial intelligence in education.

Speakers

Matthew Kirby

Assistant Professor, Kentucky Community and Technical College

Matthew Kirby is an Assistant Professor in the Arts and Humanities division at SKYCTC in Bowling Green, KY. He teaches art and art history courses while composing paintings in his home studio.

Future of Learning pptx

Future of Learning Notes pdf

Thursday November 9, 2023 3:45pm - 4:30pm EST
Room 211

3:45pm EST

The Road to Exemplary (Anthology ECP Rubric)

Although created by Blackboard, the Anthology Exemplary Course Program (ECP) rubric is learning management system agnostic. It is an excellent tool to self-assess the quality of your online courses. This session will provide actionable steps toward exemplary online teaching and a step-by-step resource if you want to tackle the full rubric (or to use as you support faculty).

Speakers

Juli Gatling

Special Initiatives Research and Development Lead, Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Dr. Juli Gatling teaches graduate level Digital Game-based Learning, is a faculty developer/instructional designer, leads special initiatives at the KCTCS Office of Teaching and Learning, and is co-founder of FacultyFYI.com.She's a confirmed multipotentialite, which she thinks is... Read More →

Thursday November 9, 2023 3:45pm - 4:30pm EST
Room 136A

9:15am EST

Humanize Your Digital Spaces

One of the most common complaints that students have about online courses is that the experience leaves them feeling isolated and alone. Some students aren't even sure who their professor is! In this session, we'll discuss solutions for inviting students to learn by building an authentic and approachable teaching presence that prioritizes the human connection.

Speakers

Vanessa Wieland Steele

Instructional Designer, Northern Kentucky University

Vanessa Wieland Steele, M.A. is an instructional designer with Northern Kentucky University. Particular interests in the field of ID in higher education are pedagogy and praxis, ungrading in online classes, academic integrity, and building teacher presence and immediacy.She is currently... Read More →

Humanize Your Online Course Convergence.pptx 1 pdf

Friday November 10, 2023 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Room 211

9:15am EST

Using Technology for Assessment of Students with Disabilities

This presentation will demonstrate various technology tools for assessment purposes. These tools are perfect for all students but especially for students with disabilities. Google Forms, Flubaroo, Autocrat, BookCreator, Blooket, SeeSaw, Flip, Wakelet, Jamboard, Canva, Adobe Express, etc are all tools that will be discussed during this presentation.

Speakers

Jamie Mahoney

Associate Professor, Murray State University

Dr. Jamie Mahoney is an Associate Professor in the Adolescent, Career, and Special Education Department at Murray State University. She teaches Special Education courses for dual certification Learning Behavior Disorder/ Elementary or Middle School undergraduate students and graduate... Read More →

JMahoney Kentucky Convergnce Conference 2023 pptx

Friday November 10, 2023 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Room 136A

10:15am EST

The Future is Now: A Basic Introduction to Generative AI

Speakers

Jeremy Miller

Associate CIO, KCTCS

Jeremy is a higher education technology leader working with a team focused on delivering innovative, secure and scalable solutions. Recognized as a Microsoft MVP, he is passionate about the Community, is the founder of the Central Kentucky Microsoft User Group, and a speaker at various... Read More →

Garrett Dutton

Enterprise Architect, Kentucky Community and Technical College

Friday November 10, 2023 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Room 14

10:15am EST

The Reality of Virtual Reality

Do you know the difference between VR, AR, MR, and XR? Why are so many colleges using them? In this presentation, you will learn what VR is, how it can benefit learning, potential pitfalls, and the reality of virtual reality.

Speakers

Beth Case

Instructional Designer, University of Louisville

Dr. Beth Case is the Program Manager for Emerging and Assistive Technology in the Delphi Center at the University of Louisville. She is part of UofL's VR initiative, meeting with faculty to devise pedagogically sound uses of VR in their courses. She loves exploring new technology... Read More →

Reality of Virtual Reality pptx

Friday November 10, 2023 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Room 211

11:15am EST

Creating a Story Problem Generator with "R"

Speakers

Ben Stephens

Sullivan University

Hello everyone. I am an educator with 18 years of experience incorporating technology into the learning process. I received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mild Interventions from the University of Indianapolis. I taught with Carmel Clay Schools... Read More →

Vinh Nguyen

Creating a Story Problem Generator with R pptx

Friday November 10, 2023 11:15am - 12:00pm EST
Room 136A

11:15am EST

Picture Perfect: Using Visuals for Memory

Have you ever seen an image and associated it with something specific? Images are great tools instructors can use to help support memory and content retention. During this interactive training you will learn how images are processed in the brain and used to convey messages, share ideas, and teach content. Participants will be introduced to best practice strategies and how to use images.

Speakers

Dawn Griffin

University of Kentucky

Dawn Griffin has been a champion for quality in early care and education for decades. Her experience has been in the classroom and continued as a regional coach, promoting best practices for childcare centers and trainers. Dawn now serves as an Instructional Designer with the Human... Read More →

Friday November 10, 2023 11:15am - 12:00pm EST
Room 211