Conference Highlights
In response to enthusiastic member suggestions, AACN offers the new Faculty Development Conference. This year's conference is aimed at those new to the faculty role and those who would like to gain more self-confidence in teaching in baccalaureate and higher degree programs. Program sessions address clarification of the academic mission and the faculty role, learner-centered teaching, creating an active learning environment, clinical teaching and evaluation, and anticipating an academic career. Three sets of concurrent sessions encourage participants to select topics according to their own needs and interests.

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Thursday, February 8

12:00-4:00 p.m.
Conference Registration

1:00-3:00 p.m.
Opening Program Session
Transition to Teaching
Busy new faculty members may not have had an opportunity to contemplate their new role in context of the institution, its mission, and the multiple aspects of the faculty role. Join a respected nurse educator who interprets the faculty role and setting, offers pragmatic advice to faculty to maximize success, and facilitates discussion among participants on the important topic of the faculty role.
Speaker: Linda Hodges, EdD, RN, Professor and former Dean, College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR

3:00-3:30 p.m.
Break

3:30-5:00 p.m.
Program Session
Learner-Centered Teaching
Many nurse educators have heard the admonition that educators must change the focus from teachers and teaching to learners and learning, but what does this mean and why is it so important? Use this opportunity to consider how subtle changes in teacher approaches can have dramatic impact on the learning process.
Speaker: Jean Bartels, PhD, RN, Chair, School of Nursing, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA and immediate Past President, American Association of Colleges of Nursing

6:30 p.m.
Dinner (Dutch treat)
Join an experienced educator for dinner and engage in discussion on topics of mutual interest. Small groups will be organized with a facilitator for each group. Reservations arranged on site.

Friday, February 9

8:00-8:30 a.m.
Light Continental Breakfast

8:30-10:00 a.m.
Program Session
Creating an Active Learning Environment
How do educators enliven the learning environment for today's students who expect much and also have much to offer? How do teachers break with traditional modes of teaching to meet the learning needs of newer generations? What strategies might assist faculty to successfully help learners assume greater accountability for their own learning? Come prepared to develop a list of strategies to try in your own teaching.
Speaker: Patsy Maloney, EdD, RN, BC, CNAA, Director of Professional Development and Continuing Studies and Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA

10:00-10:30 a.m.
Break

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Program Session
Clinical Teaching and Evaluation
The nature of nursing as a practice discipline increases the importance of clinical teaching, learning, and evaluation. New nursing faculty consistently have strong clinical skills and place a high value on expert patient care. However, facilitation of learning and assessment of students in clinical require different, equally important skills. Join a nationally known expert on this topic to explore current issues and approaches.
Speaker: Marilyn Oermann, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Bloomfield Hills, MI and co-author of Clinical Teaching Strategies in Nursing

12:00-1:30 p.m.
Lunch (on your own)

1:30-3:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions I (select one)

1a. Assuming the Faculty Role 101
How to identify useful resources, become a key team member, manage time and priorities, and successfully socialize into the faculty role.
Speaker: Philip Greiner, DNSc, RN, Associate Professor, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

1b. Developing a Course and Syllabus
How to create meaningful learning experiences for your courses and create the documentation that will both guide and engage learners.
Speaker: Patsy Maloney, EdD, RN, BC, CNAA, Director of Professional Development and Continuing Studies and Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA

1c. Evaluating Students in the Classroom
How to identify and refine the many approaches to assessing learning in the classroom other than written examinations.
Speaker: Debra P. Shelton, MSN, RN-CS, CNA, OCN, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Northwestern State University, Shreveport, LA

1d. Sorting Through the Nuts and Bolts of Clinical Teaching
How to facilitate learning of students in clinical and manage the multiple challenges of the clinical day.
Speaker: Patricia Dunphy Suplee, PhD, RNC, Assistant Dean of Special Projects, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

3:00-3:30 p.m.
Break

3:30-5:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions II (select one)

2a. Dealing with Student and Classroom Management Issues
How to respond to occasional student challenges such as underachievement, inappropriate behavior, academic dishonesty, and other disruptions to learning in the modern classroom
Speaker: Joan Clites, EdD, RN, Head, Division of Nursing, Grand View College, Des Moines, IA

2b. Developing Test Items
How to prepare written examination questions that require students to use higher level thinking and decision-making skills.
Speaker: Barbara K. Penn, PhD, RN, BC, Director of Member Education, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, DC

2c. Selecting and Effectively Using a Textbook
How to maximize student use of textbooks by determining the best references to use, making realistic assignments, and distinguishing between nice- and need-to-know.
Speaker: Heidi Taylor, PhD, RN, Head, Division of Nursing, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

2d. Cultivating and Working with Clinical Preceptors
How to maximize clinical supervision and instruction of learners using clinical experts other than faculty.
Speaker: Danette Wood, EdD, MSN, RN, CCRN, Director of BSN Program, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

Saturday, February 10

8:00-8:30 a.m.
Light Continental Breakfast

8:30-10:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions III (select one)

3a. Protecting Yourself Against Legal Challenges
How to prevent legal problems with students, including applying federal guidelines that have educational implications
Speaker: Susan Gunby, PhD, RN, Dean, Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University, Atlanta, GA

3b. Facilitating Active Learning in Large Classes
How to get beyond lecturing, create interactive learning environments, and engage students even in large audiences
Speaker: Anita Stineman, PhD, RN, Director, RN-BSN Program, College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

3c. Transitioning to Technology
How to incorporate technology and gadgets such as PDAs, simulation, and Web enhancement to make learning more relevant to today's learners
Speakers: Lynn George, PhD, RN, Associate Dean, and Valerie Howard, MS, RN, Assistant Clinical Professor, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA

10:00-10:30 a.m.
Break

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Closing Program Session
Anticipating an Academic Career
Experienced educators say that an academic career is rewarding, stimulating, and impacts countless lives and careers. Newer faculty may not have the same perspective and wonder if a career in higher education is best for them. Consider how a faculty career typically evolves; the importance of professional development, clinical scholarship, and the scholarship of teaching; concepts such as tenure and academic freedom; and recognition and rewards that help motivate faculty throughout a career.
Speaker: Katharyn A. May, DNSc, RN, FAAN, Dean, School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI

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General Information

Join AACN in Houston, TX for the 2007 Faculty Development Conference.

Registration
The registration fee is $389 for members/ $439 for non-members. The deadline for early registration is January 18, 2007. The registration fee after January 18 is $459 for members/ $509 for non-members. For AACN member schools, there is a $30 discount for each additional registrant from the same school. Email messages confirming registration will be sent to all participants.

Register using this Registration Form.

Hotel Information
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Sheraton Suites Houston, 2400 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77027. Located one block from the world-famous Galleria Mall and just minutes from downtown Houston, the Sheraton Suites Houston is the center of convenience for both work and play. The room rate is $159 single/double. The cutoff date for reservations is January 20, 2007. To make reservations, please call the hotel directly at 713/586-2444 or 888/321-4733 and request the group rate for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Reservations made after January 20 will be on a space and rate available basis.

If you are unable to make reservations at the Sheraton Suites Houston, you may want to contact the following hotels in the area:

Hotel Derek
2525 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713/961-3000
http://www.hotelderek.com

InterContinental Houston
2222 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713/627-7600
http://houston.intercontinental.com

The Westin Galleria Houston
5060 West Alabama
Houston, Texas 77056
Phone: (713) 960-8100
www.westin.com

Transportation
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the most convenient airport to downtown Houston. Taxis can be hailed through the Ground Transportation employees outside each terminal. All destinations within Houston's city are charged according to the flat Zone Rate or the meter rate, whichever is less expensive. For additional information on ground transportation and airlines serving the Houston Airport, please visit www.fly2houston.com.

Continuing Education Credit
Continuing education contact hours will be provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to all conference participants at no additional cost. CE Certificates will be provided in your conference packet.

Refund and Cancellation Policy
Registrations that are cancelled up to one week before the meeting will be refunded minus a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations received with less than one week's notice will be refunded minus a $150 administrative fee. There will be no refunds for no-shows.

AACN reserves the right to cancel this conference and any group activity that does not meet minimal group requirements. Non-refundable airline tickets are the responsibility of the registrant.

Additional Information
For more information, contact AACN, One Dupont Circle, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 463-6930. If you require any special access in order to take part in this meeting, please contact Shana Cohen at AACN or by email at scohen@aacn.nche.edu. The Sheraton Suites Houston is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information about this and other AACN conferences is available at the AACN Web site: www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences.