General Information
Now is the time to share your innovative ideas with your global network of colleagues, your community, and those who inspire and seek inspiration. The Online Learning Consortium and MERLOT invite you to submit a presentation proposal for the OLC Innovate 2026 conference (March 3-5, 2026).
We’re looking for proposals that reflect and showcase our vibrant community of practice — promoting theory, research, methodology, and/or applied effective teaching and learning practices in online, blended, and digital learning environments. All individuals (presenters, co-presenters, and authors) submitted on a conference proposal must have a current OLC account with name, title, and institution. Before you start, please check your OLC User Account to make sure you have added your bio there. Once you start your submission, your bio will auto populate when you add your OLC user account email address to the submission. You will also be provided the opportunity to add a photo (optional but strongly recommended). When submitting the proposal, you will select your co-presenters by using their OLC user account email addresses. The system will only allow you to select individuals who have an OLC account with name, title, and institution information included. If you or your colleagues do not have an account, or if you need to update your information, visit OLC user account – a community membership is free.
To make the submission process quick and easy, be sure to collect all the necessary proposal information in advance using the template provided (Proposal Planning Template) so you can easily cut and paste information into your submission form. The template will also guide you through the information you will need to obtain from your collaborators (including email addresses) before submitting your proposal.
We’ve put together a series of documents to help you prepare your presentation proposal:
- Proposal Planning Template (creates a Google document copy automatically)
- Writing Effective Abstracts Guide
- Proposal Planning Example
- OLC Presenter Services
Important Dates
- September 30, 2025 (by 11:59pm ET): Proposals due
- December 10, 2025: Notification of acceptance
- January 7, 2026: Deadline for presenters to accept
- January 16, 2026: Full program published
- January 20, 2026: Deadline for presenters to register for the conference (Early bird registration deadline)
- January 27, 2026: Presenter Logistics Webinar (2pm ET)
- February 3, 2026: Deadline for edit abstracts (updated)
- February 24, 2026: Deadline for presentations to be uploaded
- March 3-5, 2026: Innovate 2026 conference
Track Descriptions
Please review the track titles, descriptions, and example topics to find where your ideas, research, demonstrations, or conversations might fit best within the program. All presenters, including educators, vendors, and industry learning and development professionals are expected to present sessions that are educational in nature. Sessions may not serve as sales promotions for a product or service. Please refer to our ‘Frequently Asked Questions for Submitters’ section below for more details.
Track #1 - Learning Design and Teaching Innovation
Designing Engaging, Effective, and Scalable Learning Experiences
This track explores strategies for creating meaningful learning experiences through instructional design and teaching practices. It focuses on course and program development that integrates creative pedagogy, digital tools, and evidence-based approaches to enhance teaching and learning in online, blended, and technology-supported environments.
Topics for submission might include:
- Innovative course and program design, including storytelling, scenario-based learning, and active learning.
- Online, blended and digital teaching strategies, including discipline-specific approaches.
- Use of AI in course-level teaching, design, and assessment practices.
- Learning analytics and formative assessment to inform design decisions.
- Open education practices, such as OERs.
- Accessible course design and delivery practices.
- Faculty development that supports instructional excellence, generative AI, and adaptation to digital modalities.
- Microlearning, flipped classroom models, game-based learning, and non-traditional assessment methods.
- Collaborative and community-based learning.
Track #2 - Emerging Tools and Digital Learning Technologies
Leveraging Technology to Transform Learning Environments
This track centers on the use of transformative technologies to reimagine teaching and learning in online, blended, and classroom settings. It calls for forward-thinking applications of educational technology to increase engagement, personalize learning, and overcome barriers to access.
Topics for submission might include:
- Classroom and mobile technologies that support flexible instruction.
- Generative AI tools for content creation and instructional use.
- Virtual, augmented, and extended reality applications in learning environments.
- Assistive technologies that enhance learner access and usability.
- Platforms and tools that support collaboration, community-building, and personalization.
- Scalable solutions to track and improve student engagement.
- Models for adopting and integrating new technologies across settings.
- Learning analytics dashboards and data visualization tools.
- Adaptive learning platforms.
Track #3 - Student Success and Empowerment
Supporting the Whole Learner in Digital Contexts
This track highlights services, models, and practices that promote learner success in online, blended, and digital content settings. It focuses on the full learner lifecycle—from onboarding to retention and achievement—and invites proposals that center the learner experience in digital environments.
Topics for submission might include:
- Student support models tailored to digital learning environments.
- Data-informed student success strategies.
- Mentoring, career guidance, and personalized student services.
- Tools and practices for improving online student retention.
- Targeted support for specific populations, including adult learners, first-generation students, and others with unique needs.
- Student-centered design of services in digital and blended contexts.
- Humanizing digital learning and fostering student engagement.
- Peer learning and support networks.
- Wellness and mental health support in digital contexts.
Track #4 - Digital Learning Leadership and Workforce Futures
Building Institutional Capacity and Career-Ready Pathways
This track focuses on leadership, institutional strategy, and partnerships that enable sustainable digital learning and workforce-aligned education. It emphasizes how organizations plan, lead, and evolve to meet the changing demands of learners, industries, and technology.
Topics for submission might include:
- Leading digital transformation at the institutional, district, or organizational level.
- Strategic planning, change leadership, and operational models for online and blended learning.
- Strategies for adapting to and thriving from change in a dynamic educational landscape.
- Developing and implementing digital learning strategies, including AI policy and literacy programs, that meet the needs of a changing workforce.
- Leadership development for academic, administrative, or L&D professionals managing digital learning environments.
- Micro-credentials, stackable pathways, credit for prior learning, and competency-based education.
- Aligning digital programs with employability, skills, and career readiness.
- Workforce development collaborations across education, industry, and non-profit sectors.
Session Types and Descriptions
Different topics need different presentation affordances. This list describes our session types, their key features, and what you can expect from them either as a presenter or an attendee. As you craft your proposal, explore which option works best for you and your audience.
Session Type #1 - Design Sprint (45 minutes)
Attendees should expect to be actively involved during a Design Sprint. This means participating in question and answer sessions, group work, and interactive activities.
These 45-minute sprint sessions provide a dynamic and immersive experience for attendees.
Presenters are invited to propose collaborative sessions that tackle specific challenges or explore innovative pedagogical strategies, technological tools, research methods, industry innovations, or leadership approaches. The goal is for participants to gain practical insights and skills they can implement immediately, regardless of their experience level.
Key Features:
- 45-minute total session length
- Engagement: Attendees will be actively involved in the session through various interactive elements, ensuring a high level of participation and learning.
- Focus: Each session should address a specific challenge or topic, providing a focused and structured experience for participants.
- Practicality: Sessions should offer practical takeaways that participants can apply in their own contexts, whether in education, industry, or research.
- Variety: Presenters may use a mix of presentation styles, including group discussions, hands-on activities, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Accessibility: Sessions are designed to be accessible and valuable for participants at all skill levels, from beginners to experts.
Presenters should be prepared to actively engage with attendees, facilitating discussions, guiding group work, and leading interactive activities. A collaborative and open-minded approach will help ensure a rich and rewarding experience for all participants.
Session Type #2 - Education Session (45-minute classic presentation, panel, or interview)
Attendees should expect to listen to presenter-driven talks before having group discussions during Education Sessions.
Education Sessions provide an opportunity for presenters to share their work, innovations, or new opportunities with the OLC community. The presenters are responsible for driving the conversation and encouraging deep thinking about a topic, sharing practical applications of their work, or providing new and varying perspectives. There are two primary formats for this session type: presentations and panel sessions. Although these are more traditional formats, the presenters/panelists should strive to make the sessions as engaging as possible through polls, audience discussions, and other forms of interaction.
Key Features:
- 45 minutes total. Time allotments may vary but each session should include approximately 5 minutes for introductions, 35 minutes for the main presentation, and 5 minutes for questions.
- 1-4 individuals conducting the session (panel sessions must include a moderator).
- The presentation style is similar to a lecture, while a panel session is similar to an interview.
- Interactivity can range from simple to highly engaging. Uses strategies to engage the audience in active learning. Presenters may use virtual engagement tools to facilitate audience interaction.
- Accompanied by a slide presentation (important for accessibility purposes).
Note: With education sessions, there is a strong preference for proposals that include unique strategies for engaging the audience.
Session Type #3 - Engagement Activity (30-45 minutes)
Your engagement activity proposal should breathe life into the spaces between our scheduled events (i.e. during networking coffee breaks and l evening events). Whether it’s an early morning mindfulness session, an engaging activity during the breaks between concurrent session blocks, or a lively evening social, we’re seeking proposals that break the mold. Think unconventional: networking games and icebreakers, quick design sprints, meditation sessions—all are welcome here. If you’re considering an activity that feels like it could be a presentation at your standard educational conference, it’s probably a better fit for our regular academic proposal and not an engagement session. Ultimately, your session should be a catalyst for conversation, collaboration, and community-building in a format that sits outside of the standard presentation format.
We are particularly interested in proposals for activities that showcase innovative methods for building connections, fostering meaningful collaborations, and encouraging participants to interact beyond attending sessions at the conference. Whether you have successfully implemented unique icebreakers, utilizing cutting-edge technologies to enhance networking, or have a love of playing games, you are what we are looking for! The ideal engagement session should feature an activity that serves as a platform for forging lasting connections and promoting a sense of camaraderie among our diverse community of online learning professionals. We invite you to bring your creativity, expertise, and passion for fostering connections. At the end of your extended abstract, please include details on any specific needs for your proposed activity.
Key Features:
- 30-45 minute activities that encourage attendees to interact and learn. These are not presentations, although a brief set of slides with instructions at the start may be appropriate.
- The ideal engagement session should feature an activity that serves as a platform for forging lasting connections and promoting a sense of camaraderie among our diverse community of online learning professionals
- The OLC Innovate Engagement team will work with each presenter selected to determine the best fit in the program timing for accepted engagement activities.
- Please include in your extended abstract any specific needs/requests (supplies, downloaded apps needed, etc.) for your proposed engagement activity.
Session Type #4 - Express Session (15 minutes)
Express Sessions are short, 15-minute presentations that offer opportunities for authors to showcase their research and practices in a format that captures audience attention and provides opportunities for reflection. These presentations should focus on a well-developed topic that supports innovation and provides resources for audience takeaway. Proposals for a lightning session must align with the field while compellingly presenting the highlights of their work.
Note: Presenters are responsible for providing all Express Session materials. Instructions for uploading materials will be provided to all accepted presenters. Presenters are also responsible for ensuring all attendees can actively engage in the session. Please see the Presenter Services site for resources on making the session fully accessible.
Key Features:
- 15 minutes of presentation in-person, in the style of a TED Talk or Ignite Talk, with no Q&A
- Presentation style is conversational, sharing concise but impactful information
- Express sessions are focused on sharing one key idea that leads to participants making broader connections to the talk and their work
- Attendees should leave with a driving question to answer for themselves that connects the talk to their online and blended learning contexts
Session Type #5 - Gamified Session (45 minutes)
These sessions engage both the presenters and the attendees in a fun and unique OLC conference experience. Moving beyond traditional styles of presentations, attendees and presenters of this session type will have the ability to connect with the content and each other like never before. Presenters may draw upon well-known games as example formats or inspiration for their engaging sessions. Because these sessions tend to draw large audiences, please be sure all attendees can be accommodated with the strategies used.
Key Features:
- 45 minutes total; typically includes 5-10 minutes of introductions and 35-40 minutes of game-based interaction involving the content and participants. (Attendees should be able to ask questions during the session or additional time may need to be allotted at the end for Q&A.)
- 1-4 presenters facilitating highly active sessions with an emphasis on gameplay and interactivity.
- Presentation style can vary but must include elements of game-based learning.
- Interactivity is extremely high. Both presenters and attendees should be actively participating. Proposals must disclose the game format being used and how it will be implemented.
Session Type #6 - Workshop (90 minutes)
Proposals for this session type should be interactive, 90-minute workshops designed to engage a group of participants in an activity related to one of the conference tracks. Non–traditional, cutting-edge, forward-thinking, interactive workshops are desired. Example topics for Workshops may relate to innovations in design thinking, makerspaces, conducting educational research in online and digital learning, designing experiential online activities and labs, removing barriers to online learning, and other related topics of interest aligned with this year’s tracks.
Workshops should be designed with 2-4 meaningful and measurable participant learning outcomes (LOs) with opportunities explicitly outlined by the presenters showcasing collaborative and/or interactive group activities that will be used during the session to achieve stated learning goals .
Proposals for workshops should clearly address the following questions for reviewers:
- What are the explicit participant learning outcomes for the workshop?
- What types of collaboration or interactivity will occur during the workshop with the instructor-participants and within the participant-to-participant group themselves? Please outline time allotments for any presentation vs. interactivity (i.e., 15-minute presentation; 65-minute interactive workshop; 10-minute Q & A).
- How will workshop participants be able to apply the effective practices shared in the workshop at their institution?
- Who do you envision as the primary audience types who would get the most out of this session, and why do you believe they will benefit?
- What takeaways and/or activities will your workshop participants engage in that make your workshop unique, innovative, and relevant to the OLC Innovate 2025 themes and track you have selected?
- What materials are required for the presenters, and what materials are required of those in attendance? This must be clearly outlined within the proposal submission.
Presenters must provide an opportunity for questions, answers, and/or whole or small group discussion within the course of the workshop and must describe how this element will be used to best engage participants. Elements of the workshop may be flipped to extend the amount of time participants can engage with the workshop content. Sessions that offer the opportunity to earn a credential, badge, or certificate are encouraged.
The program committee reserves the right to change a workshop’s proposed presentation type if another is deemed more appropriate for engagement and participation given its content.
Competition for workshop slots is highly competitive at Innovate 2026. Please understand that you may be considered for an alternative format session instead of a workshop at the program committee’s discretion.
Special Session Designations
Our conferences recognize the rich diversity of interests, community groups, and learning formats that contribute to the vibrancy of our educational landscape. In an effort to provide tailored experiences that resonate with individual needs and areas of focus, we have introduced special session designations. These targeted categories allow presenters to align their sessions with specific themes, such as blended learning, or particular community groups like minority serving institutions (MSI), historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), and community colleges. Additionally, they highlight unique formats, such as presentations of findings from empirical research studies. Participants are encouraged to explore these special designations as they submit proposals, allowing for a more personalized and engaging conference experience that speaks to their passions and expertise. Check the appropriate designations that best describe your session as you prepare your submission.
Designations
- Blended Learning
- Community Colleges
- Corporate or Nonprofit Learning & Development
- Global Education
- HBCUs
- Instructional Designers
- K-12
- Leaders and Administrators
- MSIs
- Open Education
- Original Research
Frequently Asked Questions for Submitters
Where can I find more information about the OLC Innovate 2026 conference, conference location, programming opportunities, etc?
For more detailed information about the conference, please visit the OLC Innovate 2026 webpage. The pages under the Program tab will be updated regularly as information becomes available. If you have any questions that are not addressed on the website, please send an e-mail to conference@onlinelearning-c.org.
What key dates should I pay attention to for OLC Innovate 2026? When is my proposal due and when will I be notified?
- September 30, 2025 (by 11:59pm ET)
- December 10, 2025: Notification of acceptance
- January 7, 2026: Deadline for presenters to accept
- January 16, 2026: Full program published
- January 20, 2025: Deadline for presenters to register for the conference (Presenter and Early bird registration deadline)
- January 20, 2026: Presenter logistics webinar
- February 3, 2026: Deadline for edit abstracts
- February 24, 2026: Deadline for presentations to be uploaded
- March 3-5, 2026: Innovate 2026 conference
All submissions are sent notification emails, regardless of acceptance status. Notifications are sent to all presenters listed on each submission. Please be sure to add the @onlinelearning-c.org domain to your accepted emails filters to ensure you receive these messages. If you do not receive a notification email by December 10, 2025, please contact us at conference@onlinelearning-c.org.
Is there still time to volunteer to help with the OLC Innovate conference?
Yes, absolutely! We are always looking for session reviewers, engagement volunteers, and more. Please complete our volunteer opportunities form to indicate your volunteer interests for OLC conferences or other areas within OLC. As a non-profit organization, most conference volunteer positions are filled by paid attendees of the conference who chose to give back to the OLC community through volunteer activities.
Will my proposal be peer-reviewed?
Yes. All OLC conference proposals are double-blind reviewed by a network of experts in the field of online, blended, and digital learning. This is why we ask that you not include identifiable information such as names and institutions within your submission, to maintain the integrity of the blind review process. We also ask you to complete your conference profiles so that we can match everything up, and get everything coordinated and where it needs to be!
What criteria are used to evaluate my proposal?
Presentations are evaluated using five major categories:
- Relevance to the conference
- Clarity of topic and outcomes for attendees
- Audience appeal
- Interactivity
- Alignment to session specific criteria
Do accepted presenters need to register and pay for the OLC Innovate conference?
Yes, all accepted presenters must register and pay the published registration fees for the OLC Innovate conference. Pricing information will be made available on the OLC Innovate 2026 webpage.
How do you select presentations for Best In Track awards
Best-in-Track awards are selected by conference attendees, and calculated based on attendee feedback. Each presentation offers attendees the opportunity to provide feedback to speakers. From these responses, we calculate the best-in-track winners from the CFP-accepted, non-sponsored sessions. By putting the Best-in-Track award selections in the hands of attendees, we aim to give you, our community, a larger voice in letting us know what you appreciate and find valuable in regard to programming.
Can a vendor submit a proposal for a session?
Vendors in the EdTech, online, or digital learning space—or anyone promoting a product or service—may submit proposals for educational sessions. However, if the proposal involves a specific service or product, it must include a co-presenter who is either an educator (K-12 or higher education) or an industry L&D professional. All presenters, including educators, vendors, and industry L&D professionals, are required to register for the conference. Sessions must be educational in nature and may not serve as sales promotions for a product or service.
Conference sponsors receive a 45-minute Solution Showcase session as part of their sponsorship package, which may include a demonstration or presentation. These sessions are not submitted through the Call for Proposals but follow submission instructions provided by the OLC Conference Team.
How is an Engagement Activity proposal different from a regular academic proposal?
We’re thrilled to extend an invitation for proposals to lead engaging activities at this year’s Innovate conference, where we’re not just focused on sharing knowledge but also on fostering networking opportunities, building new connections, and having a great time while exploring innovative practices that support digital learning.
We’re seeking dynamic facilitators with insights into creative networking strategies, fun approaches to team-building, or expertise in using technology to bring people together through ideation and camaraderie. Join us in contributing to our engagement programming with an activity that not only imparts knowledge but also creates a vibrant community atmosphere. Submit your proposal and be a part of shaping an event that combines learning, networking, and fun, making it an unforgettable experience for all participants.
What are we looking for in an Engagement Activity proposal?
Your proposal should breathe life into the spaces during and between our scheduled events (i.e. during networking breaks and evening events). Whether it’s an early morning mindfulness session, an engaging activity during the breaks between concurrent session blocks, or a lively evening social, we’re seeking proposals that break the mold. Think unconventional: networking games and icebreakers, quick design sprints, meditation sessions—all are welcome here. If you’re submitting an activity that feels like it could be a presentation at your standard conference, it’s probably a better fit for a session type other than an engagement activity.
Ultimately, your engagement activity should be a catalyst for conversation, collaboration, and community-building in a format that sits outside of the usual session format, adding a memorable dimension to the OLC Innovate experience.
Have a question as to whether your session concept is a good fit? Reach out to us at conference@onlinelearning-c.org. We’ll put you in touch with our Engagement team for guidance on crafting your proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions for Presenters
What should I expect in terms of audience participation and engagement?
- Selecting a session: Attendees are free to select any session to attend during a particular time slot. There is no advance registration for sessions. Depending on the interest level for your session and other sessions during your time slot, you may have anywhere from 10-100+ people in your session.
- Engagement and technology: We encourage presenters to take as universal an approach to the design of their sessions as possible, keeping in mind that attendees will come to their sessions with unique goals and levels of anticipated engagement. Access and accessibility are important considerations here. Presenters are responsible for using their own devices. All sessions are delivered virtually through OLC’s conference platform using Zoom.
- Session materials: Attendees will be expecting presentation handouts, slides, and other related materials to be available in the conference repository. Since there are a large number of sessions occurring throughout the conference, attendees will want to view in advance the conference repository to determine their session selection and find materials for those they will miss. Materials that are uploaded in advance also contribute to the accessibility of sessions.
Will my presentation be evaluated?
All sessions have a unique evaluation link in the conference mobile app and on the conference program page. Submitted evaluations are used in the determination of Best-in-Track awards. The OLC values session and conference feedback and uses the evaluations collected as a source for continuous improvement between events. To encourage attendees and presenters to engage in session evaluation practices, we run a prize drawing. In addition to the random drawing for session attendees, presenters are also entered into a separate prize drawing.
An OLC Staff member or volunteer will serve as session manager for your session, and will encourage attendees at the beginning and end of your presentation to complete session evaluations.
How do I find out when I am scheduled to present?
The conference website will have a complete listing of sessions where you may find the date and time assigned for your presentation. After the schedule is published, you may search for your presentation date/time. You may search a number of ways – by track, by presentation type, date, etc. – to find your presentation. Click on the link for your presentation and you will see the full description for your session. Please refer to the conference website if you are uncertain about your presentation type or length. It will be listed as part of your presentation description. Be sure to check back frequently as presentation dates, and times do change. We recommend that you plan to stay through the end of the conference and make your travel arrangements accordingly.
Can my co-presenter(s) see our session submission and make edits?
No, only the session owner (who submitted) the session has the ability to see and edit the proposal submission.
How long can I edit my proposal?
The session owner (the person who submitted the proposal) has the ability to edit the proposal until the Call for Proposals closes (September 30, 2025 at 11:59pm U.S. Eastern Time Zone). Once the call for proposals closes, all edits (title, abstracts, presenters, additional authors) must be submitted to the OLC Conference Team at conference@onlinelearning-c.org.
How do I enter my Zoom room for my presentation?
Presenters will enter their presentation Zoom room the same way they would if they were a regular attendee – through the “View Session” button on their session listing on the conference website. Presenters should arrive to their Zoom room 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time for their session in order to review session logistics with your assigned OLC staff session manager. The OLC session manager will recognize all presenters when they enter the Zoom room and provide screen sharing ability at that time.
Questions or requests for assistance?
Feel free to contact us at conference@onlinelearning-c.org for support from our Program or Engagement Co-Chairs.
