RIT and DeafTec will host a webinar this week on two pivotal tools- Bookshare and the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) this Thursday, Apr 4, 2024, at 1:00 PM in Central. 

Bookshare, esteemed as the leading accessible online library, offers an extensive array of materials ranging from textbooks and bestsellers to children's literature and career guides, specifically designed for individuals with reading challenges. The webinar sheds light on how educators can facilitate their students' access to a complimentary Bookshare account, enabling tailored reading experiences to suit individual needs.

Furthermore, DCMP is recognized as a provider of inclusive educational videos nationwide. Both families and educators are provided insights on how to access a vast collection of videos equipped with captions, audio descriptions, and sign language translations, along with exclusive professional development opportunities.

Sign language interpreting and captioning will be provided.

Registration is available on the Zoom website.

The second annual Cybersecurity Across Disciplines (CyAD) Conference is set to take place in-person at Moraine Valley Community College on June 12-13, 2024.

This event invites community college faculty members, industry representatives, and educators from diverse disciplines to come together and delve into the critical intersections of cybersecurity. Whether you're from the manufacturing, healthcare, retail, engineering, or banking and finance sectors, this conference offers invaluable opportunities to expand your cybersecurity knowledge, integrate it into your curriculum, and collaborate on innovative approaches to cybersecurity education. With interactive presentations, hands-on workshops, and ample networking opportunities, the CyAD conference is designed to equip you with practical tools and insights, regardless of your prior cybersecurity experience.

Register online on the NCyTE website.

Apply now for a unique opportunity to enhance your students' engagement with renewable energy!

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hosting a complimentary faculty workshop from May 15-17, 2024, at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois. This workshop aims to foster STEM career pathways for college students, featuring presentations, tours, and training on the Bioenergy Research Education and Bridge (BRIDGES) Program case studies. Developed in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory, BRIDGES offers a curriculum focusing on biofuels, plastics upcycling, sustainable aviation fuel, and more, tailored for various educational levels.

College faculty nationwide, especially from community and technical colleges, are encouraged to apply, with priority given to those farther than 50 miles from Argonne National Laboratory. Travel support is available, and applications close on March 20, 2024. Reach out to bioenergy_bridges@ee.doe.gov for further details.

For inquiries, contact learninglabs@anl.gov. This initiative is part of DOE's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions through biomass and waste feedstocks across the U.S....

Generative AI (GAI) is rapidly becoming a staple in higher education, with surveys indicating widespread adoption by students and faculty. In response to the challenges posed by a crowded marketplace, Ithaka S+R partnered with 19 institutions to assess the impact of GAI on education. They have launched a publicly available Product Tracker, cataloging over 100 GAI tools designed for teaching, learning, and research. The Tracker offers insights into pricing, features, and relevant details, helping institutions navigate the evolving landscape.

The accompanying issue brief provides a typology of GAI products and speculates on the future of academic GAI. Most products aim to enhance the research lifecycle, leveraging commercial large language models like ChatGPT. The GAI market is dynamic, with new products continually emerging, suggesting a transformative influence on teaching, learning, and research practices in higher education.

Discover the potential of Otter.ai and Glean in RIT and DeafTec's upcoming webinar on March 7, 2024, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM EST. Learn how these web-based applications enhance transcription and notetaking, revolutionizing meetings and classes. Ideal for students with disabilities or as classroom accommodations, these tools ensure organization, productivity, and engagement. 

Otter.ai uses an AI Meeting Assistant to transcribe meetings in real-time, record audio, capture slides, extract action items, and generate an AI meeting summary. Glean can be used to record classes, add notes, and combine transcripts, slides, and other visual supports in one easy-to-use workspace.

Join Mike Sauter, Alternate Media Specialist from Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, California, and explore the power of these apps.

Register now for insights that can transform your notetaking experience. Sign language interpreting and captioning provided. Register online through RIT.

Join Clemson University Center for Workforce Development and Trident Technical College on March 13 at 2 pm for a webinar that explores the future of automotive education with their Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum, set to come out in Fall 2024.

Experience their new online learning platform, crafted with the collaboration of instructional designers and technology architects. Enriched with video lectures, online assessments, and immersive digital twin simulations, the courses adhere to universal design for learning (UDL) principles, ensuring inclusivity for all learners.

Hear from the minds behind the innovation - industry experts, instructional designers, and technology architects who have worked on the curriculum. Gain valuable insights and inspiration for bringing electric vehicle education to life in your classroom.

Find more information and register on the Zoom webinar link. 

Join the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) for one of the most significant professional development events for leaders in community colleges and stakeholders within the two-year college sector. The annual conference, catering to diverse roles including CEOs, executives, community college faculty, trustees, and industry partners, promises high-energy keynote presentations, thought-provoking breakout sessions, and disruptive technology showcases. Keynote speakers this year include Gayle King, Jack Uldrich, and Anya Kamenetz.

This conference serves as a crucial platform for community college professionals at various levels, from entry-level positions such as administrative assistants and advisors to managers and executives, including deans, directors, and vice presidents. As the community college landscape evolves, the AACC event stands out as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and shared insights in the pursuit of advancing two-year college education.

Learn more about the conference, program, and events on the AACC Conference website. 

West Valley College is set to host a two-day drone education conference on March 14-15, 2024. Open to educators nationwide, the event features keynote speakers Nicole Bonk, Skydio Director of Flight Testing, and Albert Lin, National Geographic Explorer.

The conference includes presentations, workshops, and insights into drone technology applications in fields such as Emergency Response, Utilities, Transportation, Agriculture, and Drone Delivery. The schedule includes insightful presentations, hands-on workshops, and flight demonstrations. Faculty attending both days receive a $700 stipend. Registration is free for all attendees. Corporate participants include Esri Drone2Map Team, Skydio Team, and Censys Technologies.

For registration and details, visit the conference page.

Discover success tips for your next ATE project proposal with the American Association of Community Colleges's (AACC) upcoming webinar, "Moving Up! How-to Tips for Success with YOUR Next ATE Project Proposal," scheduled for Feb 21, 2024. 

If your college has been an ATE grantee or you've new to the ATE community, this session is a must-attend to maintain the momentum. Learn how to leverage ATE funding for your college's technician education programs and students by taking the next step with additional ATE funding.

Join the AACC for an in-depth exploration where they will provide a comprehensive checklist and expert tips to enhance the competitiveness of your ATE proposal. Understand how requirements and reviewer expectations evolve as you progress, and discover valuable resources for making your proposal more viable.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain insights, strategies, and insider tips to navigate common pitfalls in seeking your next ATE grant. To register, please visit the Zoom registration website. 

In fall 2023, undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. experienced a 1.2 percent increase, marking the first rise since the pandemic. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center's latest report revealed a growth of approximately 176,000 students nationally.

Notably, community colleges thrived with a 2.6 percent enrollment boost, indicating a positive recovery from pandemic-related losses. Community colleges focusing on vocational programs saw a remarkable 16 percent surge. Associate degree program enrollments rose by 2.2 percent, surpassing the 0.7 percent increase in bachelor's degree program enrollments.

Despite these gains, overall enrollments remain below fall 2019 levels. Furthermore, two-year public colleges and for-profit institutions experienced continued employment declines, with community colleges witnessing a 4.35 percent reduction in staff from 2020 to 2022.