Introduction

We were delighted to welcome you to the Year 2000 ASET/HERDSA conference. This conference was novel in many ways. It took place in the last year of the millennium but was the first to have a triple zero in its date. It was the first collaborative conference held between the two organizations: Australian Society for Educational Technology and the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia. It took place in a regional centre rather than in one of the metropolitan areas and we believe that the significance of the event emphasised the significance of regional universities in the emerging Australian academic and education scene. Finally, it addressed an issue that is still occupying some of the best minds in the world: how to encourage flexible learning for a flexible society in a world of rapid change and increasing insecurity.

Amidst the chaos involved as we seek a sense of place in cyberspace, we invited you to slow your minds a little and enjoy the lovely town of Toowoomba and the delights of the USQ campus. We hoped that this conference would enable you to relax a little, if only for a short time, and engage in those traditional activities oft praised but rarely achieved, of discussion and reflection. This was done in a belief that only thus could we achieve any sense of peace in this mad world. Colleagues from both organizations who shared the experiences of planning the conference gained experience, understanding and new friends in the process. If at the end of the conference you returned to your usual workplaces saying: "It was fun", then we are convinced that all the other aims more usually promoted for such meetings were both met and exceeded.

Lesley Richardson and John Lidstone Co-convenors 

Organising Committee

Executive

Assoc Prof John Lidstone, QUT
Ms Lesley Richardson, USQ
Dr Nicola Yelland, QUT
Mr Geoffrey Roberts, QUT

Members

Trish Andrews, UQ
Carol Bowie,GU
Geoff Isaacs, UQ
Christine Bruce, QUT
Lindy Fentiman, QUT
John Green, USQ

  The City of Toowoomba - The Host City

Renowned as the Garden City because of its beautiful parks and gardens, scenic views and rich history, Toowoomba is a major provincial city of approximately 90,000 people only 90 minutes drive from Brisbane, the State’s capital. Due to its warm temperate climate for most of the year, spectacular displays of seasonal flowers plunge the city into a hive of colour. For the visitor, Toowoomba’s attractions are varied with facilities such as golf courses, aquatic centres, tours of gardens and nurseries, visits to local galleries and antique shops, bush walks around the famous Range as well as fine wine and dining.

Conference Venue

The USQ Campus is situated on 76.5ha of rolling gardens and offered delegates a relaxed campus atmosphere with excellent conference facilities. The Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre provided state of the art technology and was the focal point of the conference.  

Conference Secretariat

USQ Meetings and Events

University of Southern Queensland
PO Box 282
Darling Heights Qld 4350
Telephone: +61 (0) 7 4631 2840
Mobile: 0412 068 699
Email: pugh@usq.edu.au 

Social Program

A fun filled social program was organised to celebrate the joint ASET/HERDSA Conference (all included in the registration)!

Sunday night, 6.30 ­ 10.30pm.

On arrival delegates settled down at McGregor College, with a glass of wine and enjoyed an Italian bistro with plenty of pasta, spicy sauces and breads. It provided a casual atmosphere in which to sit around to renew friendships and make new ones.

On Monday evening, for both the ASET and HERDSA AGMs, there were savouries served from 6.00pm to 6.30pm.

On Tuesday night 6.30 ­ 11.30pm, wearing colourful Hawaiian shirts and skirts ­with prizes for the best outfit - we were off to Hawaii without leaving the Campus. We indulged in a Hawaiian tropical feast and great entertainment. Jiving (and could they jive!!) to the music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s in the 52nd state for the 4th of July celebrations! As one academic said with sweat on her brow ­ "I had forgotten how much I enjoy dancing!"