For Immediate Release: April 3, 2003
Northark Instructors Know Their Business
By KEVAN MATHIS
Times Staff ” kevanm@commpub.com
Three instructors from the Business & Technology division of
North Arkansas College in Harrison Sherry Bishop, Julia Angel and Lana Fowler
recently attended the Course Technology Thomson Learning Conference 2003 in
Nashville, Tenn. The trio spent three days March 19-21 learning new
software and teaching techniques from experts in selected areas. Julia Angel and
Lana Fowler attended the conference with funds provided by an endowed chair
sponsored by the First National Bank of Green Forest. Sherry Bishop attended as
a presenter, leading three sessions on Macromedia Dreamweaver MX. The
theme of the exciting seminar was called, "360 degrees of Learning," said
Bishop, who has published eight different books concerning Macromedia
Dreamweaver MX. "Everyone had a great time and we learned a lot from each
other." The conference keynote speaker was Martin Bean, the Chief
Operating Officer for New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. Bean's business is
the largest IT training provider in the world and has been in the training and
education industry for more than 16 years. Bean provided an analysis of
the current shortage of IT professionals and highlighted the changes educators
must make to meet the growing demand. Other speakers included Andre'
LaMothe and Bruce Jenner. LaMothe, the CEO and founder of Xtreme Games
LLC, discussed the history of game programming and the technological challenges
faced by game developers on this growing industry. He also discussed
market size, revenues, the reality of the entertainment business in the global
economy and the need for skilled engineers in this field. Jenner was the
1976 Sullivan Award Winner, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, Track and
Field's Male Athlete of the Decade and a current member of the Olympic Hall of
Fame. He is a popular motivational speaker worldwide. The national
conference was attended by over 500 educators, representing college and high
schools from around the world. Northark plans to send representatives to
next year's meeting March 24-26 at San Antonio, Texas.
For more information visit the website at www.course.com/events/conference2003 or www.northark.edu.