[From Nick Cook, TLIG Correspondence, Liaison and Publicity]


                      Time for a Fresh Perspective

                 UCISA User Support Conference 2000

                       Lancaster University
                       3rd - 5th April 2000


A new millennium ... time for a new look at what we do?  Are the old
models of providing user support still appropriate for a new and
expanding user community?  What about the increasing demands for
specialist user requirements?  How do we train and then retain staff
for our new, changing and increasingly challenging IT Services?
What is the latest research, and what does it say to us?

These issues, and more, are addressed in a packed and exciting
programme. Full details are available at:

http://www.ucisa.ac.uk/TLIG/conf/tlig00/homepage.htm

Set in Lancaster University, near the Lake District, this conference
gives you the opportunity to share your experiences, learn from
others in the same situation, make connections and get up to date
on the latest information and technology.  A combination of
seminars, workshops, discussions sessions as well as social time
(including a boat trip reception and dinner in the Lakes) make this
conference the most useful and attractive item in the UCISA
Calendar.

THE PROGRAMME (the confirmed bits)
------------------------------------

Keynote speeches on:
- Networked environments for students
- Copyright and the implications of the Data Protection Act
- Virtual Learning Environments
- ILT

Parallel Seminars and Workshops on:
  - The DIME Multimedia Project
  - Distributed Support
  - Data Protection Issues
  - Copyright Issues
  - Developing an Effective Help Desk (4 workshops)
    - Managing the Help Desk
    - What the customers want
    - Getting the right staff
    - Delivering the Service
  - Networked Learning in HE
  - Using MIS Data to support Teaching and Learning
  - "Can't help but wonder where I'm bound"
  - Collaboration
  - DisInHE: Accessible Web Design
  - more to be announced

AND there will be discussion groups running through the whole
conference where you can tackle issues that really affect you
together with others in the same situation.

IN ADDITION, this year we've included an "Introduction to UCISA, TLIG
and SDG" session on the morning of the first day for anyone who is new
to TLIG or SDG, or who is attending the conference for the first time.

Who should attend?
------------------
This is the key conference for all Computing Service User Services
staff as well as having critical relevance for library, staff
development and Teaching & Learning staff. If you can go to no
other, you need to come to this one.

Who, or What, Is UCISA, UCISA-TLIG and UCISA-SDG?
----------------------------------------------------
UCISA is that national University Computing Services body that
helps co-ordinate national policy and co-operative working between
Computing Service departments in academic institutions.

TLIG is the Teaching, Learning and Information Group, so it has
responsibilities for all aspects of User Services from Helpdesk and
Advisory Services to documentation, on-line information, IT training
(of users), publicity and newsletters as well as our services to
teaching and learning in Universities.

SDG is the Staff Development Group and it is responsible for
facilitating and delivering high quality information services training
to staff and to enhance the personal development of staff working in
IT/IS/Computer Centres.

The TLIG and SDG committees aim to save individuals work by
encouraging co-operation, best practice and the sharing of common
resources.

Cost **Provisional**
--------------------
The cost of the conference is expected to be £275 pounds for the
conference including accommodation costs (3 lunches, 2 breakfasts,
one evening meal and the conference dinner). Non-residential rates
are £50 per day including lunch but not dinner.

Booking
-------
Bookings are open NOW, although the conference timetable is still
being finalised.  Be quick with your bookings because last time's
conference was fully booked within a few weeks, and over 90% of
the people who came said they'd come again!

The booking form is available at:

http://www.ucisa.ac.uk/TLIG/conf/tlig00/booking.html

Once the timetable is finalised, a separate form will become
available to allow delegates to book parallel sessions.  Final date
for bookings is Friday 26th February.

So, don't hang around - book now or risk missing the most exciting
and relevant conference of 2000!

Nick Cook



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