The Pearson/Prentice Hall Information Technology (PHIT) Symposium is an intimate, all-expense-paid opportunity to meet and connect with about 135 IT educators from colleges and universities nationwide. The Symposium is designed to facilitate the exchange of best practices and discussions about emerging ideas and technologies.
This Spring, three different PHIT Symposiums took place across the country. Faculty came together in Charleston, South Carolina; Austin, Texas; and most recently in Scottsdale, Arizona. A variety of topics were discussed, including:
- Increasing student engagement with practical technologies inside and outside the cloud
- What’s coming with Windows 8 and Windows Mobile
- Using MyITLab to improve retention rates and enhance student success
- Computer Concepts & Applications Course – a one-book, high-tech, job-focused approach
- Presentation design skills specifically for IT instructors/PPT presentation design skills specifically for IT instructors
- Hands-on with MyITLab with Paul Gentile from Pearson – Executive Director of Digital Product Management
Speakers for these events came from all over the country and included faculty, Microsoft employees, Pearson Faculty Advocates and professional development speakers. The most recent symposium, in Arizona, featured a special presentation by Dr. Mark Milliron, entitled: A New Generation of Learning: Conversations on Emerging Technology, Diverse Students, and More. A presentation focusing on how consumer expectations will impact education was given by Rob Curtin from Microsoft as well. Speakers who presented at multiple locations this Spring include:
- Amy Kinser, Indiana University
- Cindy Krebs, Utah Valley University
- Randy Guthrie, Microsoft
- Faculty Advocates like Kevin Lee
- Shelley Gaskin, Pasadena City College
- Matt Gambino, Speaking & Training (professional)
- Jennifer Nightingale, Dusquense University
- Kathie O’Brien, North Idaho College
While it’s impossible to sum up what everyone talked about throughout these three successful events, it’s easy to see how much attendees enjoyed themselves through their tweets (#PHIT2012). @erickinser thought the Win7/Metro demo was “awesome,” Randy Guthrie’s preview of Windows8 was a huge hit, and @Kob1123 sums up the experience the best: “Home from PHIT exhausted and full of new knowledge, new ideas, and academic tenacity.”
Take a look at some of the fun we had in this photo slideshow:
I really enjoyed the symposium, and felt like I learned a lot. I am looking forward to the speaker materials on the future of education (gaming techniques, etc.), and on presentations (avoiding “Death by PowerPoint”) …
Thanks for your great feedback.
Any idea when the presentation materials from the speakers will be available?
Ken-
It’s a top priority for us to track down all the great PHIT materials, so I’m hoping we’ll get everything together soon.
I was at the Austin event. It was a wonderful day of speakers and networking with other educators who teach with MyITLab. I look forward to the next one!