# /programsandresearch/dss/oblinger.htm

originally: http://www.oclc.org/programsandresearch/dss/oblinger.htm

# Listening to What We're Seeing

## Diana G. Oblinger, Ph.D.

Vice President
EDUCAUSE

August 25, 2005

9:30-11:00 am
Presentation and Q&A

11:00-11:30 am
Reception

OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Kilgour Auditorium
6565 Frantz Road
Dublin, OH 43017-3395

One student walks across campus listening to an iPod; another is engrossed in text messaging on her cell phone. During class, they're Googling, IMing and playing games—often at the same time. More likely to use the library as a gathering place than a resource, this is the Net Generation. They co-exist beside older students who are juggling work, childcare and eldercare. Do we understand our learners? What do their experiences, attitudes and expectations mean for educational institutions?

In her presentation, Dr. Diana Oblinger will help participants listen to what we are seeing - and respond.

As Vice President for EDUCAUSE, Dr. Oblinger is responsible for the association's teaching and learning activities and the direction of the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The current membership comprises nearly 1,900 colleges, universities and education organizations, including 180 corporations.

Known for her leadership in teaching and learning with technology as well as distributed learning, Dr. Oblinger serves on a variety of boards including the National Science Foundation's Dictorate of Education and Human Resources, the National Academies Forum on Information Technology and Research Universities and the University of Texas TeleCampus. She also chairs the National Visiting Committee for the National Science Digital Library project for the National Science Foundation. Previously, Dr. Oblinger was a consultant for the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research and serviced as the Vice President for Information Resources and the Chief Information Officer for the University of North Carolina system.

Dr. Oblinger is a frequent keynote speaker as well as the co-author of the book What Business Wants from Higher Education which received the 1999 Frandson Award for best literature in continuing education.

### Background information

- Diana G. Oblinger, Ph.D.
  http://www.educause.edu/PeerDirectory/750?ID=28818
- "Educating the Net Generation," ed. Diana G. Oblinger and James. L. Oblinger (2005).
  http://www.educause.edu/educatingthenetgen/
- "Boomers, Gen-Xers and Millennials: Understanding the New Students," by Diana Oblinger (EDUCAUSE Review, July/August 2003).
  http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0342.pdf (PDF:359K/8pp.)
- Distinguished Seminar Series
  http://www.oclc.org/research/dss/