Ohio classics conference

For more information, call 216-368-4440.

Posted 10-12-99

Conference to review high-tech tools for teaching the classics

An ancient topic will get a high-tech boost when more than 80 high school and college teachers of the classics learn about new digital programs available for their classroom via the World Wide Web. The classicists will gather October 14-16 at Case Western Reserve University for the annual Ohio Classical Conference (OCC). The event is open to the public with registration.

"This is an opportunity for high school teachers and college professors to share ideas," says Martin Helzle, CWRU associate professor of classics and president of the OCC Council.

Educators will present computer-aided teaching tools during the opening session at 8 p.m. Thursday, October 14 in 309 Clark Hall. Presenting their innovative programs will be Clayton Fant from the University of Akron and Jayne Gaebel from Akron's Woodridge High School, who will speak on "Digital Media for Roman Civilization: Image Databases and Virtual Reality"; John Sarkissian from Youngstown State University on "Using Computers to Monitor the Practices of Latin Students"; and Judith deLuce from Miami University on "Looking Greek and Roman Sculpture in the (Painted) Eye."

The conference continues Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16 with research papers on topics involving well-known ancient Greek and Roman writers, including Herodotus, Plato, Cicero, Homer, Vergil, and Theocritus. Other conference topics explore ways of teaching Latin and Greek.

The Friday session will conclude with a 6:30 p.m. banquet, during which the Hildesheim Vase will be presented to a school with an outstanding classics program. Following the banquet, conference participants will move to Eldred Theater for its production of Plautus' Menaechmi, the comedy about the reunion of twin brothers who slyly teach each other a lesson about love.

Registration for the conference is $30 for the entire event, $20 for Friday events only (including Eldred Theater), and $10 for either the Thursday or Saturday sessions. Banquet reservations ($15 to $24) are required by calling Helzle at 216-368-2294 by October 12.

-CWRU-