Speakers
Keynote: Thursday 6:30 pm
Generation NeXt Comes to College- Hardwired
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor has over twenty-five years of experience in higher education, management and the helping professions. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and biology, a master's degree in social work and a doctorate in counseling, all from the University of Arkansas . He was most recently the Director of Guidance Services at Arkansas State University at Beebe where he was responsible for counseling, disability, career, testing, academic advising, orientation, housing/ residence life, student activities/leadership, student success programming and other student services. He left that position in January 2006 to continue his research and programs to improve educational services to Generation NeXt, and the other students we serve. Dr. Taylor has been licensed as a psychotherapist in Arkansas since 1981. He has also worked as a college professor and academic administrator, medical administrator and clinical psychotherapist. His resume reflects over 100 professional publications and presentations at state, regional, and national events in 28 states. His eye-opening perspectives grounded in data and the literature, practical suggestions and humorous presentation style has made him a frequent training consultant with numerous schools, colleges and professional organizations.
Mark Taylor's keynote address will help faculty who are or will be using instructional technology to better understand Generation NeXt students, and will be specifically focused on how these students use technology, what their expectations are, and how faculty can use technologies for more effective and engaging student learning. Dr. Taylor will also address methods for increasing students' engagement, activity, and personal responsibility for their learning.
Keynote: Friday 9:00 am
Engaging Today's First-Year Students:
Challenges and Opportunities in the Classroom
Betsy Barefoot
Betsy Barefoot is a native of North Carolina. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Duke University and master's and doctoral degrees in higher education from the College of William and Mary. Currently, Dr. Barefoot serves as Co-Director for the Policy Center on the First Year of College, and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Brevard College in Brevard , North Carolina, where the Policy Center is located. The Center was founded in 1999 with a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts and continues with grants from The Atlantic Philanthropies and Lumina Foundation for Education. In her work at the Policy Center , Dr. Barefoot is directly involved in the development of instruments and strategies to assess the first college year. In addition, she conducts seminars on the first-year experience across the United States and in other countries and assists colleges and universities in implementing and evaluating first-year programs.
Dr. Barefoot will offer a broad view of the first year to include a focus on the students themselves as well as common instructional policies and practices that impact the quality of student learning. She will review the latest strategies to engage new students more effectively, strategies that can be employed across disciplines and in classes of all sizes and levels of proficiency.
