VIENNA, WV – Members of Ohio Valley University’s faculty have been invited to present and lead multiple break-out sessions at the Appalachian College Association (ACA) 2007 Summit October 18-20 in Abingdon, Virginia.

The ACA is a non-profit consortium of 36 private two- and four-year liberal arts colleges and universities spread across the central Appalachian mountains of Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Collectively, these higher education institutions serve approximately 42,000 students. The theme of this year’s conference is “Mountain Trails, Global Highways.”

“The ACA focuses on strengthening the region’s college and university faculties by helping them stay current in their subject matter through graduate and post-graduate study and research. ACA initiatives give students research experiences that supplement their basic academic courses, and encourages each institution to reach out in service to its community, and region, through unique programs,” OVU Interim Dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies and Chair of the School of Education Jo Pennington said.“We are very pleased to have been selected to participate with four different presentations this year.”

On average more than 500 teachers and administrators attend the three-day event. During this year’s event OVU will present on the following topics: Can You Hear Me Now? Building Learning Communities through Technological Convergence presented by OVU Assistant Professor of Education and SNEA Advisor Missy Spivy; If this is a Smart Room, Why am I in Here? panel participation by OVU Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Director of Online Learning Tim Wiblin; Sharing Courses across various CMS/LMS presented in part by Tim Wiblin; and Scary Movies in the Classroom? Beat the Fear of Creating and Using Instructional Videos! presented by OVU Assistant Professor of Education and Title III Activity Coordinator Bobbie Gelpi.

“It is difficult to find the time to effectively communicate and collaborate in our profession,” OVU Assistant Professor of Education Missy Spivy said. “By using 21st century technology tools, online learning communities can be formed and cultivated in a creative and nurturing environment. Technology tools can increase community, productivity, and knowledge. The uses for this type of environment are limitless and that’s what we hope to share with this group of educators.”

“The Summit is a wonderful opportunity to share what you know, gain the recognition of your peers, and advance the educational experience of our students,” Pennington said.

To learn more about the conference, speakers, or the ACA visit www.acaweb.org  

To learn more about OVU visit www.ovu.edu