Message from the Chair

For the first time in WCET’s 17- year history, our annual conference is moving east of the Mississippi….just barely. Please join us in New Orleans, November 2-5, 2005, for what promises to be a truly engaging and enlightening conference.

Higher education is in the hot, white spotlight of public attention and scrutiny today. Legislators, students, and the public-at-large are demanding more from our educational institutions…and our educators. There is a universal call for better instruction, enhanced technological delivery, more effective student services, “just-in-time” training, and outcomes assessment. These increased demands come at a time when higher education budgets are shrinking and public support is in decline. How can we respond to all of these criticisms with even more limited resources? The theme of this year’s conference “E-Learning E-Llusions and Triumphs: Re-imagining the Academic Ecosystem” will provide us with the opportunity to focus on some of these issues, sharing innovative solutions and cutting-edge thinking.  Together we will work at crafting a new vision for the higher education ecosystem - one built on our successes and lessons learned in the nearly two decades of e-learning experience and technology innovation by WCET members

Combining dynamic and engaging general sessions with over 50 breakout sessions and the always popular roundtable and showcase presentations, the 2005 Planning Committee has done an exceptional job of designing a well-balanced program that ensures ample opportunity to interact, learn, and enhance your knowledge while strengthening the network of professional colleagues that has become a WCET trademark. Arrive early if you can and participate in pre-conference workshops focusing on topics ranging from successful grant writing, to online course development, and the role of e-learning in economic development.

Come prepared to visit the member displays during the opening reception. This event melds the expertise of corporate and other colleagues with the information gathering and decision making requirements of the academic membership. And this event is simply the best opportunity to rekindle old friendships and make new ones!

And best of all, we’ll be in New Orleans, the jazz capital of the country…maybe the world. We’ll be staying in the heart of the French Quarter with easy access music, Cajun cuisine, and the Mississippi riverfront. Please join us this November 2-5 in New Orleans….a great opportunity to learn while you are living it up. Hope to see you there!

Barry Willis

Chair, WCET Steering Committee