Posts tagged travel

SHAV Conference

Attending the SHAV Conference in Richmond was a great experience.  I enjoyed learning about feeding and swallowing strategies as well as language and literacy.  The conference provided a wonderful opportunity to meet other professionals in the field and converse about different settings.    It was a great time sharing this experience with our entire cohort and professors. I am already looking forward to going next year.  Pictured below is our group at the conference as well as a smaller group of us attending the Language Speaks session.

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Virginia Social Science Association Presentation

Three of us from the grad program offered a presentation on our Stats research.  Alas, our professor chose New Orleans over downtown Norfolk  (DUH), but she kept in constant contact.  My presentation sparked more interest than I had anticipated.  Presenting a “work in progress” is an excellent way to pave your way to future conferences and publication (not that I have my name on any YET).  Thanks to Norfolk State for being our host and thanks to Navycop and Libertygirl for sharing this experience with me.

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VSSA at Norfolk State University

We were honored to represent Longwood University at The Virginia Social Science Association conference on March 28, 2015. We each had a chance to present our findings varying from gun control to disability. We had a wonderful time learning from our fellow graduate and undergraduate sociology students. The information we took in will help us develop as speakers and as researchers. I know that we were all thankful for the opportunity to speak, and also the hospitality of the Norfolk State staff.

(Left to right) Thomas Hall, Summer Jones, and Michael Wilson at the VSSA Conference at Norfolk State University

(Left to right) Thomas Hall, Summer Jones, and Michael Wilson at the VSSA Conference at Norfolk State University

2015 SHAV Conference

IMG_0726On March 26th-28 I had the opportunity to attend the 2015 Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia Conference! It was amazing to be surrounded by so many experts who are passionate about the things I am passionate about. I had the opportunity to attend lectures about feeding and swallowing in early intervention as well as a presentation about how to treat individuals with autism who have speech and literacy deficits using orthographic (print) instruction. I learned a lot of information that will assist me in my career as a speech-language pathologist!

2015 SHAV Conference

10985429_10206314733578237_2540147106810852497_nThis past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV) conference held in Richmond, VA. I was able to attend many different sessions regarding various areas of Speech-Language Pathology. My favorite session that I attended was Developmental Feeding and Swallowing Milestone Versus the Baby Food Industry by Mr. Scott Rankins. It was fascinating to learn that some of the various consistencies of baby food, that are recommended by top brand baby food industries, are actually not promoting children to learn how to masticate their food. It was great to see and experience which consistencies of food are recommended for children of different ages. It was also beneficial to learn some of the techniques to use with typically and atypically developing children for feeding and swallowing. I look forward to incorporating the knowledge I’ve gained from this session, and other sessions from SHAV, into my professional and clinical experience.

 

SHAV Conference

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As a second year graduate student, and with graduation quickly approaching, I found the SHAV conference very rewarding and beneficial for my future career as a speech-language pathologist. Attending this conference allowed me to connect with potential employers as well as network with current SLPs. I also attended numerous engaging and informative presentations by professionals in the field regarding specific assessments and intervention techniques related to particular disorders and populations. I am excited about the additional knowledge that I gained pertaining to speech and language therapy and cannot wait to apply what I have learned to my current externship experience and future patients. Thanks, Longwood for this wonderful opportunity two years in a row.

SHAV Conference, 2015

SHAV 2015This weekend, I was fortunate to attend the 2015 Speech Hearing Association of Virginia conference in Richmond. I talked to many venders and sat in some of the sessions. During one of the most informative sessions I attended, I learned about using structured teaching to build communication in students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. It was wonderful to talk to and learn from so many different people who are passionate about such a rewarding field. I look forward to using all of the new information I learned this weekend with my future clients.

2015 SHAV Conference

IMG_6069This year I had the privilege of attending the 2015 Speech-Language Hearing Association of Virginia’s annual conference. The conference was held in Richmond, VA at the Double Tree by Hilton. I was in attendance on Thursday March 26th from 8:00am to 4:30pm and was able to sit in on 4 different seminar sessions.

Each of the sessions were very informative and full of new information to learn. I chose to attend a session on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, The Use of Interpreters, Infant Feeding, and Autism. I enjoyed each session, but especially the last one on Autism. The presenter was very knowledgeable and gave us several real-life scenarios in which we could use the techniques she was discussing.

They also had a separate room in the hotel with numerous vendors from all over the state. A handful of them were selling products and the others were advertising for their respective businesses. I think this is a great feature for students who will be seeking employment in just a few years. Although I will not be graduating until May of 2017, I am glad to have already had this type of experience. I look forward to returning to SHAV next year and for many years to come!

 

Kelley Chaney

2015 VSRA Conference Presentation

WP_20150314_10_01_10_ProThis year, I had the privilege of not only attending, but also presenting at, the 2015 Virginia State Reading Association (VSRA) conference held in downtown Richmond, Va. The VSRA is the preeminent literacy education institution within the commonwealth and this was my first time attending the conference. This year’s conference theme was “Reading is Magical,” which was truly fitting. I was immediately impressed by the diverse professionals I met, from classroom teachers to reading specialists to school administers, who were all passionate about improving reading (and all literacy) instruction in their schools. It was also a great pleasure to support and learn from many of my Reading, Literacy, and Learning program classmates and professors who also presented at the conference.

My partner, Carol Pippen, and I delivered a presentation entitled “Reading Between the Pixels: Media Literacy Instruction in the Digital Age.” Our presentation discussed the growing importance of media literacy as advancements in technology permits constant exposure to media messages. We make the case that media literacy, or the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media messages, is vital for full societal participation in the digital/information age. In addition, we also provided several examples of how media literacy can be taught in the classroom

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International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts in Orlando, Florida. Described by a friend as “ComicCon for scholars,” ICFA is an academic conference for the study of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The conference offers a wide range of panels, author talks, and book signings. At this conference, I presented a paper with the Children’s and Young Adult Division titled “The Problematics of Magical Girl Feminism.”   My paper discussed magical girl manga such as Sailor Moon, and explored the ways that these texts attempt to portray empowered female characters while really just reinforcing traditional ideology about women. The paper was a real joy to present, and appeared well received by those in attendance.

During the rest of the conference, I attended a wide range of panels, from “Buffy, Star Trek, and Pedagogy” to “Science Fiction Fan Worlds.” I saw friends and colleagues present on Disney and body image, tomboys in Anne Radcliffe’s Gothic novels, and video games and urban legends. Perhaps one of the most meaningful panels, “Teaching Science Fiction and Fantasy in Community College,” brought together three scholars to discuss their experiences incorporating genre fiction into their community college classrooms. As I prepare to go on the job market with the hopes of securing a teaching position at a small university or community college, their insight was invaluable. Besides the scholarly panels, I attended a lovely reading by Peter Straub, had a copy of Steven Erikson’s Willful Child signed, reunited with some friends from Longwood and Hollins University, and spent far too much money in the book room.

The first time I presented at ICFA as an undergrad, I came home with thoughts of building a career in academia. This trip has reminded me why I felt that way. While science fiction, fantasy, and horror are becoming more prevalent in popular culture, there is still a stigma associated with studying those fields from a critical perspective. ICFA is an opportunity to not only enjoy time with other scholars who share my interests, but to see their success stories. All of the people I met have built careers pursing a field of study that I am passionate about, and being immersed in their work reminds me just what a meaningful pursuit genre studies really is. Science fiction, fantasy, and horror explore humanity’s wildest dreams and darkest fears. They reflect who we are and imagine who we could be. On days when I feel unsure about the field of study I’ve chosen, opportunities like ICFA remind me why I do what I do, and why I never want to stop.

-Jessica Stanley
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