First-Time Conference Goers Meeting
First-time NSDC Annual Conference goers will want to attend a special session on Sunday at 6:00pm with NSDC Executive Director Dennis Sparks, NSDC President Marti Richardson, and Host Committee Chair Dale Hair. They will share tips on how to get the most from an NSDC Annual Conference and then parade you to the NSDC member reception. Join the entire Host Committee to learn how to “do New Orleans” in style! Surprises are planned!

Session Schedule
Concurrent sessions are scheduled between 9:05am and 5:15pm on Monday and Tuesday, and between 8:30am and 10:30am on Wednesday. Sessions are two, three, four, and five hours in length. The names, employers, e-mail addresses, and cities of all presenters and co-presenters are listed for each session. Complete contact information for all presenters will be provided in materials picked up on site in New Orleans. This year, there are generally 20 minutes between sessions, and the concurrent sessions are scheduled in the Marriott and Sheraton Hotels. If you wish to schedule more time for networking, you are encouraged to plan out your days accordingly; allowing time to process new learning, to visit the exhibits, and to be with colleagues in this rich atmosphere. In other words, bring your tennis shoes (walking is great for your health) and schedule sessions only for the time periods during which you wish to participate! Use the 2003 Conference Planner on the next page to help you plan your schedule.

Indices
Several indices have been prepared to help you locate the best sessions for your needs.

• The Topic Index identifies 43 important issues facing educators and being addressed at the conference. Use this index to identify sessions that meet your topic needs.
• The Audience Index identifies the recommended audience for all sessions based on the presenter’s content.
• The Presenter Index will help you locate specific presenters.

Session Descriptors
Concurrent sessions are labeled by critical issue, format, and outcomes. References to the issues can help you choose sessions that address particular areas of content. See the Critical Issues. Format options include: Simulation, Interactive Lecture, Interactive, Book Talk, Panel, and Conversation.

SIMULATION: Participants will be engaged in a commercially or individually-developed interactive learning game for the majority of the session.

INTERACTIVE LECTURE: Session is 50/50 split in time dedicated to presenter(s) lectures and audience interacting with the content.

INTERACTIVE: Limited content delivered by the presenter, and a vast majority of time (75 percent or more) spent in a variety of interactive learning modes.

BOOK TALK: The agenda addresses a book that participants are expected to read in advance of the session.

PANEL: More than two presenters in direct instruction format with the audience.

CONVERSATION: The agenda is built around a series of questions with presenter serving primarily as facilitator.

Conference Icons
Notice the various conference icons to the right. These icons are placed by appropriate concurrent sessions. The first four icons represent each of NSDC’s four Strategic Priorities.

General Sessions
General sessions are on Monday,Tuesday, and Wednesday. Each general session includes breakfast (brunch on Wednesday!) or lunch. NSDC has long held the tradition that its members share meals together in the spirit of comraderie and networking. Come to each general session and sit with different people each time! Plan to stay for each keynote! There will be plenty of time to get to your session after the keynoter has completed his or her talk!

Distinguished Lectures
Distinguished Lectures are scheduled on Monday, at 11:20 am. The purpose of DLs is to provide interesting points of view or research from well-respected educators in the field. Distinguished Lecturers may choose to present their information in a more lecture format, but there is time at the end for questions from the audience. This year, there are four choices from which to choose. Make sure that you sign up for one of the distinguished lectures! If you do not, there may not be space when you arrive!

The Wednesday Conference Schedule
Notice the difference in the Wednesday schedule! This change has been developed as a result of your feedback. Enjoy continental breakfast, stationed in the common areas around the session rooms, from 7:30 am – 8:30 am. Then participate in one of the "K" Sessions from 8:30 am – 10:30 am. Proceed immediately to the general session for a New Orleans brunch and a lighthearted and uplifting keynote from Wavelength!