SLATE was created as the Midwest Blackboard Users Group, from the concept that all
institutions that are deploying and/or currently using Web-based
components to enhance their teaching and learning activities, have the
same questions, the same challenges, and the need for the same
solutions. By drawing together the expertise of the people involved in
the entire academic experience and those designing, supporting, and
using these applications; faculty support staff, systems
administrators, instructional designers, librarians, and students - a
broader and more accessible and dynamic support system could be
established. Our current membership comes from K-12, Higher Education,
and the Corporate sector.
The first meeting was held at the University of Chicago in May of 2002. The original core of eight institutions included; The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Moraine Valley Community College, Joliet Junior College, Purdue University Calumet, DePaul University, Northern Illinois University, and Northeastern Illinois University. That number has grown to over 80 participating institutions across the country and has gained international recognition. The SLATE mission: To support learning and technology in education through communication, collaboration, and innovation while developing a community of practice. Recognizing that any community needs to adapt and change in order to grow and continue to meet the needs of its participants, SLATE has started to form SIG's (special interest groups) to address issues related to other widely-used LMS products (the first is a Moodle SIG) and specific audiences; faculty, media technologies, technical, and accessibility, just to name a few. It is better to keep the community united with the core values and issues that had been originally brought it together - and still apply - then to lose expertise and input because the community has become diverse. If you would be interested in participating in a SIG or have a suggestion for forming one, please contact Ken Sadowski, ken@slategroup.org to discuss it further. To learn more about SLATE, visit the links below: |
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