On June 2nd-4th, I attended a NITLE event for Instructional Technologists. The conference gave me a chance to interact with peers from 37 liberal arts colleges. Our first task was to try to define the professional identity of instructional technologists. These engaging discussions gave me a better sense of the priorities and organizational structures that drive academic technology at other institutions.

A series of workshops emphasized curriculum design as they presented strategies for promoting and supporting academic technology. Presenters demonstrated current practice regarding social technologies, open source tools, multimedia, Web resources, assessment, and collaboration with faculty. The highlight of the event was the keynote speaker's overview of emerging technologies.

In the final session, NITLE outlined future online events for instructional technologists and we discussed the best forum for facilitating an ongoing professional network.

I have to say that it was a pleasure to attend this event. Participants were very conversant and familiar: many of their colleges are quite a bit like Luther. NITLE’s hospitality—nice dinners and lots of coffee breaks, in a comfortable inn on DePauw’s campus—contributed to the productive atmosphere. I look forward to networking with this newly formed group.