OLC Accelerate 2019 CFP Session Types & Details

Carefully review the session type descriptions below before submitting a proposal. 

1. Education Session** (Traditional – Lecture or Interview)

Education Sessions provide an opportunity for presenters to share their work, innovations, or new opportunities to 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.

Note: When submitting the proposal, the names and affiliations of the presenters, moderator(s) and panelists are required to be included. Please do not include names or institutions in the abstract in order to keep the review process double-blind. All individuals (presenters, moderators, and panelists) will need OLC user accounts and must be listed as presenters on the proposal. (Presenters/panelists cannot be proposed as TBD.)  

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).
• 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.
• Accompanied by a slide presentation (important for accessibility purposes and for virtual audience viewing should your session be selected to be live streamed) Please see the Presenter Services and/or IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy)  web page for more information.

**This session category includes Best-in-Track selections for award and Best-in-Track presentations sessions.
**Best-in-Track Sessions will have the opportunity to submit to the Online Learning Journal for publication.

2. Express Workshop (Exploration)

These sessions are designed to provide the attendees with an opportunity to explore a new skill, strategy, or technology. By offering practical, hands-on learning activities, participants are fully engaged in the learning process. Facilitators provide both group and 1-1 guidance as necessary during the session. Attendees should walk away from the session feeling as though they have acquired a new skill, have developed an action plan, or have gain significant insight into a new technology. Proposals must include measurable outcomes and activities.

Note: Presenters are responsible for providing all Express Workshop 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: 

• 45 minutes total; typically consists of 3-5 minutes of introductions, with the remaining time consisting of multiple explanations/demos and hands on activities.
• 1-3 presenters facilitating a hands-on learning experience.
• Presentation style is similar to an exploration in which the presenters engage the attendees in a “try it yourself” format.
• Interactivity is high. The entire session is focused on activity based learning.
• Facilitators are expected to provide any materials (instructions, worksheets, etc.)  to ensure a successful session.
• Express Workshops are typically not selected for the live webcast program due to the group work and hands-on nature of activities.

3. Gamified Session (Interactive)

New for 2019 – Gamified sessions!! 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 such as Jeopardy and Family Feud as example formats or inspiration. 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 presenters or audience competing to provide the most valuable information to the discussion. (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 competition 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 (Jeopardy, Family Feud, etc.).

4. Discovery Session (Conversation)

Discovery Sessions allow presenters to share their work, ideas, and innovations in a more personal format. Using a laptop, these sessions allow for a greater exchange of ideas and in-depth conversations about important topics to the OLC community. These digital presentations can include works in progress, research ideas, collaboration opportunities, best practices and practical applications, or pilot projects.

Note: Each presenter must bring his or her own laptop. A small table for your laptop and power to the table will be provided. Wireless Internet will also be available to allow for further exploration of related Discovery Session content.

Key Features:

• Typically 10-15 minutes of information sharing by the presenter, followed by discussion. (10-15 minute presentation is repeated 2-3 times over a 45 minute timeframe).
• 1-3 presenters engaging in meaningful conversations with attendees.
• Presentation style is conversational, sharing concise but impactful information.
• Interactivity is personalized based on audience members stopping by the presentation display. Allows for deeper connections and more detailed discussions.
• Presenters are expected to bring their own laptops and provide handouts. OLC will provide tables and power strips.

5. Graduate Student Discovery Session (Conversation)

Proposals for Graduate Student Discovery Sessions can include works in progress, research ideas, collaboration opportunities, or pilot projects. Discovery Sessions provide an excellent opportunity to present your ideas to your peers in a community forum.

We seek submissions by students currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from a Graduate (Master or Doctoral) program whose research is relevant to online, blended, and digital teaching and learning.  The proposal submission must follow the guidelines of the OLC Accelerate 2019 conference sessions.  

Be sure to review the detailed Graduate Student Discovery Session page before submitting your proposal. 

Key Features:

• Typically 10-15 minutes of information sharing by the presenter, followed by discussion. (10-15 minute presentation is repeated 2-3 times over a 45 minute timeframe).
• 1-3 presenters engaging in meaningful conversations with attendees.
• Presentation style is conversational, sharing concise but impactful information.
• Interactivity is personalized based on audience members stopping by the presentation display. Allows for deeper connections and more detailed discussions.
• Presenters are expected to bring their own laptops and provide handouts. OLC will provide tables and power strips.

The following rubric will be used to evaluate all proposals in the refereed proposal review process.

• Do the title and abstract clearly describe the session?
• Is the proposed topic timely and/or appropriate?
• What are the session outcomes?
• Will this session positively contribute to the conference and to the field?
• Are the format and session type selected for the presentation the most appropriate to the topic and format of the presentation?
• Is the session designed to be interactive and engage the audience?
• Are you sharing research data or assessment information during the session?
• Did you address the specific criteria outlined for each session type? 

Specific Criteria:

Presenters should include active engagement methodology during presentations to encourage audience/participants to ask questions. The CFP ratings are based on the following major categories:

• Relevance to the conference
• Clarity
• Audience Appeal
• Interactivity (Active Engagement)
• Alignment to Session Specific Criteria

During the review process, reviewers are also asked to indicate whether or not your proposal meets Effective Practice criteria and would be a good candidate for EP submission. We encourage, but do not require, Effective Practice submissions from conference presenters.  EP submissions from conference presenters will be eligible for Effective Practice Awards selection; awards will be presented onsite at the conference. With regard to effective practices, reviewers will consider proposals in light of this question:

• Does this proposal include all 5 of the following elements: innovation, replicability, impact, evidence and scope?

If your proposal is accepted, you will be asked to:

• Register for the conference and pay the published fees.
• Edit all materials used in your session.
• Transmit your PowerPoint Slides, Handout (PDF files), data charts, or other presentation materials to the conference repository by the deadline of November 1, 2019.
• Submissions to the Research Track may be eligible to submit their full research manuscript for consideration for the OLC Online Learning Journal.

• Proposals due by 8:00am ET June 6, 2019 (extended from May 22) 
• Notification of acceptance by August 2, 2019
• Deadline for presenters to accept is August 19, 2019
• Deadline for presenters to register is September 25, 2019
• Final date for presenters to edit abstracts is September 25, 2019
• Final presentation upload date is November 1, 2019

Note: The following standard audiovisual equipment will be provided in each room: data projector equipped with an HDMI cable to accommodate both PC and Macintosh platforms, an Internet connection, and a screen (16:9 slide ratio). (Note: Presenters should plan to provide their own computer equipment or other specialized equipment).  Microphones will be supplied as needed in larger rooms.

If your presentation is accepted, you are strongly encouraged to post it as link or a pdf or PowerPoint file to the presentation repository by November 1, 2019. The contributions will remain online as part of the conference materials after the conference. The conference management team will provide instructions on how to upload your file(s) to your session page after acceptance of proposals. Session abstracts and information about the presenters also will be included on the site.

Companies and vendors provide value to OLC Conferences through program presentations, exhibits and sponsorships.  Vendors may submit presentations in any of the program tracks or presentation formats:

1. Academic Presentations:

• Vendors are encouraged encouraged to submit with an institutional lead partner, but any individual or group may submit papers to the traditional academic presentation track for presentation. Presentations must be non-commercial, and focus specifically on the track topics. Presentation content will be reviewed by the conference committee as part of the regular review process. Presentations must contribute new knowledge to the field through the presentation of original research or applications. Presentations of an academic nature should be submitted through the call for papers system.
• Vendors will be limited to one proposal where they lead the presentation.

2. Industry Showcase Presentations:

• Industry Showcase presentations are established as part of the conference program schedule to allow sponsors/exhibitors to make presentations on their products and services during the conference.
• Industry Showcase presentations may include submissions to the CFP system that are moved from academic tracks in the CFP system to the Industry Showcase schedule at the recommendation of the Program co-chairs.
• Industry Showcase proposals from sponsors and exhibitors may be submitted through our Industry Showcase form as part of the sponsorship/exhibit process. Showcase proposals will be reviewed by the Senior Director, Conferences, and conference chairs for approval of content.
• National sponsors are guaranteed an Industry Showcase presentation slot. Remaining Industry Showcase slots are assigned to sponsors by level, then to exhibitors in the order exhibit contracts were received on a space-available basis.
• These sessions are distinctly marked as Industry Showcase presentations in conference materials including the program book, website and room signage. 
• Conference program materials include language that these presentations should be expected to include some sales promotional language in them. These sessions are clearly marked as sessions that have not been peer-reviewed.