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     Keynote Speakers Jim Jorstad
University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Director of Educational Technologies Biography Jim Jorstad has been a leading force in the effective use of technology in higher education for over twenty years. In his current position Jim is responsible for integrating technology into teaching and learning practices, learning space design, faculty development, innovative technology projects, distance education, as well as multi-media and web creation. He was instrumental in developing classroom designs and integrated technology for the $10 million renovation project Wing Technology Center project at UW-La Crosse, numerous classroom modernization projects, and is currently working on a new $40 million academic building project. He serves as a technology consultant on learning space design for architectural firms in Wisconsin. Jim is currently on the editorial board for EDUCAUSE Quarterly and is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences. He is an EDUCAUSE Frye Fellow of 2005, one of 50 leading IT professionals chosen worldwide for the award. He has held numerous technology leadership positions within the University of Wisconsin System. Along with Jim’s technology background, he was twice selected by AV Video Magazine as a top multi-media producer in the U.S. Jim describes himself as technologist who is passionate, innovative, and creative. Summary of Plenary Address “Learning Space Design- Creating Centers of Engagement” Every year, the students we serve are changing. They come to us from different cultures, family environments, and have been exposed to varying degrees of technology. Each of these students have specific learning styles and interact with the world in their own individual way. In education today, we are beginning to understand the importance of the interaction between learning space, and the teaching and learning process. By understanding how students learn, we can create environments which help them to become engaged in the learning process. Learning space design can truly help us create “Centers of Engagement.” Sit back and be ready to be engaged! Dr. Donna Ford
Vanderbilt University, Professor and Betts Chair of Education and Human Development Biography Donna Y. Ford, Ph.D., is Betts Chair of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. She teaches in the Department of Special Education. Donna has been a Professor of Special Education at the Ohio State University, an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Virginia, and a researcher with the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. She also taught at the University of Kentucky. Donna earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Urban Education (educational psychology) (1991), Masters of Education degree (counseling) (1988), and Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and Spanish (1984) from Cleveland State University. Professor Ford conducts research primarily in gifted education and multicultural/urban education. Specifically, her work focuses on: (1) recruiting and retaining culturally diverse students in gifted education; (2) multicultural and urban education; (3) minority student achievement and underachievement; and (4) family involvement. She consults with school districts and educational organizations in the areas of gifted education and multicultural/urban education. Dr. Ford’s work has been recognized by various professional organizations: Research Award from the Shannon Center for Advanced Studies; the Early Career Award and the Career Award from The American Educational Research Association; Early Scholar Award from The National Association for Gifted Children; and the Esteemed Scholarship Award from The National Association of Black Psychologists. She is the author of Reversing Underachievement Among Gifted Black Students (1996) and co-author of Multicultural Gifted Education (1999) and In search of the dream: Designing schools and classrooms that work for high potential students from diverse cultural backgrounds (2004). Ford, D.Y. and Milner, H.R. (2005). Teaching culturally diverse gifted students. Donna has written over 100 articles and chapters, and made hundreds of presentations at professional conferences and school districts. Donna is a board member of the National Association for Gifted Children, and has served on numerous editorial boards, such as Gifted Child Quarterly, Exceptional Children, and Roeper Review. She also reviews for several journals in such disciplines as urban education, child development, and counseling and development. Professional development includes membership in professional organizations, including the National Association for Gifted Children, Council for Exceptional Children, American Educational Research Association, Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students, Association of Teacher Educators, American Counseling Association, and others.
   
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