2008-09-04 10:07:21 - The Worldwide Instructional Design System (WIDS) will host its second annual International WIDS Users Group conference, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6., at the Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wis.

A nonprofit organization, WIDS provides performance-based curriculum-design software, training and instructional design consulting services to colleges and businesses worldwide. Participants are encouraged to attend an optional pre-conference workshop, 'Thinking from the Top Down - Program Design,' from 1 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Open to experienced and new WIDS Software users, the pre-conference workshop is $99, and the Users

Group conference is $175 per person before October 17. After this date, registration is $199. Registration must be completed by Oct. 31.
During the event, instructional designers from across the globe will gather to discuss industry issues and best practices related to learning and instructional design. Presentations and break-out sessions will include, 'Fast Track Implementation of WIDS,' by Cindy Cicchelli of Schoolcraft College in Michigan; 'Program Design and Accreditation,' by Laura Lien of Moraine Park Technical College in Wisconsin; 'CurriculumBank as a Management Solution,' by Tracy Watts and Wendy Wells of Central Community College in Nebraska; and 'DACUM Tips, Tools and Tribulations: Leveraging DACUM Occupational Analysis to Produce Results-driven Education, Training and Development,' by WIDS Director Judy Neill.
'The conference provides an exciting venue for educators and trainers to share best practices and techniques - something helpful to power users and newer clients planning for implementation,' said Robin Nickel, WIDS associate director. 'Based on feedback from last year, we are offering a new hands-on lab session where participants interact directly with WIDS software and staff,' Nickel added. 'The entire event gives attendees the opportunity to be with like-minded people: those who are passionate about quality instructional design.'
To register online for the conference, or to find out more detailed information, visit www.wids.org.
A nonprofit division of the Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation Inc. (WTCSF), WIDS offers advanced tools and personal support to help clients design effective learner-centered curriculum. To find out more about WIDS, and the organization's many successes, visit www.wids.org or call 800-677-9437.