04
October
2018
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10:32 AM
America/Chicago

UHD Relaunches Technology Learning Conference Oct. 12

TLC Conference Flyer

This year marks the 60th anniversary of NASA. It’s also the year that the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) made history with the institution’s ISS In-Flight Education Downlink that connected urban education students with astronaut Joe Acaba aboard the International Space Station.

Among the principal coordinators of that event was Becky Kamas, STEM on Station Activity Manager at NASA. Next week, she will share her insights on using technology as a teaching tool during UHD's “relaunch” of the Technology Learning Conference after a brief hiatus. Kamas is the keynote speaker for the Oct. 12 event.

“We are very excited to have Becky Kamas serve as our conference’s keynote speaker,” said John Lane, director of UHD’s Technology, Teaching & Learning Center (TTLC). “Becky is instrumental in NASA’s efforts to inspire and motivate STEM professionals and astronauts. We’re particularly honored to have an influential member of NASA share her insights during the agency’s 60th anniversary. We are also pleased to present this conference, which will be beneficial to educators, students and education professionals.”

The conference’s theme is “Relaunching Technology in the Classroom.” Presentations will demonstrate the increased importance of technology in education. It will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room A300 of the Academic Building. Registration is encouraged, and additional details are available on the conference’s website.

Conference tracks include:

  • Classroom Technology
  • Mobile Technology & Applications
  • Learning Management Tools
  • Open Educational Resources
  • Student Involvement

Keynote speaker Kamas worked closely with Lane and TTLC while coordinating the technical aspects of the Downlink event. She also partnered with Urban Education faculty members in connecting pre-service teachers with astronaut Acaba via Skype for experiment demonstrations and ultimately, a live interstellar discussion.

The Technology Learning Conference is presented by TTLC and the Academic Technology Conference, which is comprised of faculty, staff and students.

The event is open to all members of the UHD community, as well as the public. According to Lane, more than 20 organizations in Houston are sending representatives to this conference.

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.