Pre-conference Update | Tuesday Update | Wednesday Update | Thursday Update | Friday Update

 

Welcome to OLC Accelerate 2019!

OLC looks forward to welcoming you to Orlando next week for OLC Accelerate 2019. We hope you enjoy the conference, particularly our complimentary Wednesday morning features including the OLC Instructional Design Summit, OLC Research Summit, the US-SINO Online Higher Education Forum, and a variety of 3 hour workshops. Be sure to visit the Technology Test Kitchen and the Speed Networking Lounge in the exhibit hall on Tuesday evening, Wednesday and Thursday. Take advantage of the the Field Guide Program, and participate in all the engagement activities as you complete your OLC Accelerate Mission Passport Challenge.

Follow us on social media @OLCToday and use #OLCAccelerate when you post photos and commentary to social media.

 

IMPORTANT UPDATES for our Conference Attendees 

Please be sure to read through all of the updates below in order to be fully informed and prepared for next week’s events.

Conference Registration Desk – Convention Foyer (WDW Dolphin)

Tuesday, November 19:	3:00pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday, November 20:	7:30am – 5:00pm
Thursday, November 21:	7:30am – 4:00pm
Friday, November 22:	7:30am – 1:00pm

Wireless Internet Access for Conference Space 

SSID: olc
Password:  olcwireless

Remember Your Water Bottle

OLC is committed to being green where possible. We will have water stations available throughout the conference space and during the breaks in lieu of providing bottled water. Bring your own water bottle or use a glass provided. If you are a guest staying at the Swan or Dolphin, the 2 bottles of water in your room each day are complimentary. Be sure to take advantage of those bottles of water as well! 

Download the updated OLC Conference Mobile App

Available now in the Apple iTunes store for iPhone and iPad Available now in the Google Play store for Android

We are continuously improving our app. This version lets you share your schedule between devices using a unique Schedule ID. 

Please note: As part of our “green” initiatives, OLC is no longer using paper forms for session evaluations. Please use the OLC Conference mobile app or website to evaluate each session by clicking on “Evaluate Session” within each session listing.

Each session evaluation you complete (limited to one per session) using the mobile app will be one entry into our contest. There will be five $25 gift cards awarded to individuals who complete session evaluations using the mobile app.

Presenters who receive 10 or more evaluations will be entered into a post-conference prize drawing for a $25 OLC gift card.  

Create Your Personal Schedule

Add and remove sessions from the Program/Sessions listing on the website or in the mobile app to create a list of sessions you want to attend! Access your personalized list of sessions from the “My Schedule” tab on the Program page.

You can share your schedule between devices using a unique Schedule ID. 

Activate Your Access to Conference Materials

Ensure you have access to all the uploaded session materials and streamed session recordings. 

• Log in to your OLC website user account, then click the “Activate” button below to access session materials and streams.
• Select “Program” or “Streamed Sessions” from the “Activate” landing page. “Program” will direct you to the full program; “Streamed Sessions” will direct you to only those sessions that are being streamed.
• Click on the desired session title to view session details.
• You will find an orange “Watch This Session” button in the top right of the page of each session that is being streamed. If the session is not being streamed, there will not be a “Watch” button.
• Presenter-provided session materials (if available) can be downloaded by clicking on the orange “Session Materials” button. If there is no button, the presenter has not yet uploaded their materials.

Note: You must be logged in to your OLC user account to view the “Watch This Session” button on the streamed sessions.

A step-by-step procedure of how to access and view the streamed session recordings may be found on our FAQ page (in the Virtual Conference FAQ section).   

For easier access to the streaming program as well as crowd-sourced tips for enjoying the streaming portion of the conference, visit the new Virtual Hub page. 

Weather

It is autumn in the South, which means sunshine and occasional rain storms. Next week is forecast to be unseasonably cool with highs low to mid 70s, and lows in the mid 50s and 60s. Plan to bring a light jacket. We recommend you bring an umbrella or poncho for your expeditions over to the parks.  Don’t forget a sweater or jacket for air-conditioned conference rooms.

Travel

Whether you are driving or flying to Orlando, view your transportation options on the Travel Page. Note that parking at the Swan/Dolphin is complimentary for those attendees staying at the hotel. Attendees driving in for the day are required to pay the normal parking fees.

Attendee List

Wonder which colleagues are attending the conference?  Download the onsite attendee list (.pdf). Login required as an additional step to protect your information.

Please note: those attendees who opted-out of providing their contact information during the registration process are not included on this list. This list is for attendee networking only.  Sharing the attendee list with any person, company, or institution outside of registered conference attendees is strictly prohibited. 

8:30am-8:45pm – Tuesday Online International Summit – open to everyone

As the kickoff event for OLC Live, the Online International Summit will run throughout the day on Tuesday, November 19.  This FREE and fully online conference spans both the globe and the bevy of open educational practices. The Online International Summit invites teams of designers, educators and online learning practitioners to come together in a series of six 1-hour sessions, one for each continent (minus Antarctica, unless we have a friend who wants to join us from there!).  

Pre-conference Workshop and Wednesday AM Workshop and Summit Preparation

Tuesday OLC pre-conference workshops are available to conference attendees at an additional fee. Wednesday AM workshops and summits are included in your conference registration this year. For any workshop or summit you plan to attend, be sure to click on your workshop session listing on the Program page.  Look at the orange Session Materials button (in the upper right of the page) for possible handouts posted by your workshop presenter (must be logged into your OLC user account and have clicked on “Activate” above to access these uploads) and specific instructions (example:  download a certain app to your mobile device) that may be posted in the session description. You will want to download and print any worksheets or handouts for that workshop and bring those with you. Workshop presenters will have a very limited number of copies on hand, and we are unable to print copies for you onsite. All workshop and summit participants should bring their own laptop or device to the session.

4:00pm-6:00pm – Tuesday Exhibit Hall Preview – open to everyone

Check in to the conference early during our Tuesday evening early registration hours (3-7pm; Convention Foyer), then join our exhibitors in the Atlantic Exhibit Hall for a special preview event. A complimentary drink ticket and snacks will be provided to all attendees checking in to the conference at early registration.  Stop by the Technology Test Kitchen (open 5-6pm)  to see what they are ‘cooking up’ during the conference, plus get an early start on your exhibitor stamp card for some fabulous prizes! Don’t forget to visit the exhibitors and enter to win some fabulous Sponsor and Exhibitor Booth Raffle prizes.  Visit our Special Events page and learn about our contests, including an OLC booth (#225) trivia contest, a social networking contest, and our Exhibitor stamp card contest – win an iPad Air 32GB and other prizes!

5:00pm-7:00pm – Attend the Tuesday Awards Reception

OLC invites you to join us for our annual Awards Ceremony.  The ceremony and reception this year takes place Tuesday, November 19, 5:00pm – 7:00pm in Southern Hemisphere 2. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the door $4 (attendees)/ $55 (guests).  Join us for a special evening ceremony and reception as we honor OLC Award Winners and other leaders immersed in the higher education digital landscape. Best-in-Track Awards, Effective Practice Awards, OLC Fellows, and OLC Excellence Awards will be presented. This year’s winner of the Bruce Chaloux Scholarship, the emerging leaders of the IELOL class of 2019 and the OLC Leadership Network Event attendees will also be recognized. Congratulations to all of our award winners!

8:30pm-11:00pm – Join National Titanium Sponsor Proctorio Tuesday night for “Crocodile Rock” at the Dueling Pianos Bar, Jelly Rolls, on the Disney Boardwalk

Join Proctorio at Jelly Rolls on Disney’s Boardwalk, 8:30pm – 11:00pm, and rock out to your favorite rock star! Dress up is optional but the best dressed Rock n’ Roller wins a prize! Conference attendees must show their attendee badge to receive a wristband to enter. All attendees invited; must be over 21. 

Be Where the Action is…in the Technology Test Kitchen and the Speed Networking Lounge

Located in the Atlantic Exhibit Hall, the Speed Networking Lounge and the Technology Test Kitchen are open throughout the conference – flow between the two areas to complete your OLC Accelerate Mission Passport Challenges. While you are in the Speed Networking Lounge, explore collaboratively, make new connections, relax over puzzles. While you are in the Technology Test Kitchen, participate in the Pathfinder Mission, the Mini Escape Room Mission, Kitchen Demo Series presentations, and a special Escape Room event on Friday. Hear from the experts, download the apps, play with some fun gadgets, and spend time innovating with our “chefs”!  View the full TTK schedule here. 

12:00pm-1:15pm (Thursday) – Attend the OLC IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy) Leadership in Digital Learning Luncheon

We’re delighted to invite you to join us for lunch on Thursday, November 20, 12:00pm-1:15pm.

Join Melissa Vito, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at University of Texas San Antonio, for lunch and a conversation on dimensions of diversity in leadership promoting equity and inclusion. This luncheon celebrates diverse leaders in the field as well as those who aspire to become leaders in the digital learning landscape.  The luncheon is open to all, so grab a group of friends and join us! Tickets are required to attend and may be added to your registration or purchased onsite at the registration desk for $60. This luncheon supports the scholarship fund, and proceeds will provide one scholarship recipient with an OLC conference pass, hotel stay, and honorarium to cover travel costs.

Thursday Evening Disney Ticket Pickup

Don’t forget to pick up your Thursday evening Disney tickets at the special conference Disney ticket desk in the Convention Foyer.  Tickets must be picked up from conference ticket desk no later than 12:00pm (noon) on Thursday.  Reminder: Online ticket sales for the Disney evening tickets suspend after Nov 11.  OLC will not sell any after optional item between Nov 12-18.  Beginning Nov 19, ticket purchases may be made onsite (as available) during conference registration desk hours. Starting November 5, OLC will not issue any ticket refunds or exchanges. Anyone wishing to sell their ticket may do so with a fellow attendee using #OLCTIXSWAP. 

Join us each day for Yoga with Janet, Functional Fitness with Jesse, or Meditation with Clark, fellow conference attendees and certified instructors.

Date	Time	Room	Yoga Style
Wednesday, 11/20	6:30am – 7:30am	Asia 2 Asia 5	Slow Flow Yoga* Functional Fitness**
	7:45am – 8:15am	Europe 2	Meditation & Mindfulness***
Thursday, 11/21	6:30am – 7:30am	Asia 2 Asia 5	Slow Flow Yoga* Functional Fitness**
	7:45am – 8:15am	Europe 2	Meditation & Mindfulness***
Friday, 11/22	6:30am – 7:30am	Asia 2 Asia 5	Slow Flow Yoga* Functional Fitness**
	7:45am – 8:15am	Europe 2	Meditation & Mindfulness***

 

* Slow Flow Yoga – Ready to start the day energized? Join us for a 1 hour Slow Flow yoga class with Janet, a fellow conference attendee and certified yoga instructor.  Slow Flow yoga is made up of slow flow (three breaths per posture) including sun and/or moon salutations. Comfy clothes needed; bring your water bottle.  We will provide towels to use if you don’t have a yoga mat with you.

** Functional Fitness – Looking to infuse high intensity and functional fitness movements into the start of your conference day?  Join Jesse Pagel, CrossFit Level 1 coach, for a 1-hour morning workout!  Scaling and modifications are available to accommodate all fitness levels. Please wear workout clothing and workout shoes. Be sure to bring a water bottle and come ready to move!  Attendees will be asked to sign a waiver before participating.

***Meditation & Mindfulness – Join us  in the Sanctuary for some quiet time to decompress, reconnect mind and body, and practice some self-care as we turn our focus inward for a short while. Mindfulness has been defined as a practice of “bringing one’s attention to the internal and external experiences occurring in the present moment” (Baer, 2003). Join Clark Shah-Nelson for some guided mindful meditations. These sessions will be geared toward centering ourselves on breath, sensations and higher levels of consciousness so that we can experience OLC Accelerate in a healthy and present way together.

Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical psychology: Science and practice, 10(2), 125-143.

Note:  Attendees participate in classes at their own risk. In the unlikely event of injury, please note that OLC and the WDW Swan & Dolphin Resort may not be held liable.

 

Additional Items of Note

• Looking for a little Florida sunshine and a fun way to meet new people? Join our Field Guides for our new daily Talk-about sessions.
• Everyone needs a break and time to decompress when at a large conference. Take advantage of the opportunities to unplug and refocus. “The Sanctuary” room is a quiet, reflective space – Europe 2 – available for all conference attendees to use. This is a quiet space room.  No cell phone conversations allowed. Please keep face-to-face conversation to a minimum or at a very low level so as not to disturb others in the room.

• OLC Field Guides will also host tours of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Join us to familiarize yourself with the conference center layout to ensure your conference experience is off to a great start!  No advance sign-up needed; just meet your Field Guide tour guide at the Field Guide Station (Convention Foyer) near conference registration.  

  • Tuesday, November 19  6pm
  • Wednesday, November 20  10am
• Focus groups will be conducted throughout the conference.  If you received an invitation, consider accepting it.  Most attendees find they leave a focus group energized and with many relevant take-aways from the session. These are primarily invitation only events with limited capacity, so RSVP right away if interested. 
• Session types: Part of reinvigorating the conference is trying out a variety of session types. Notice that rather than all standard presenter-with-PowerPoint led Education presentations, you will find our steering committee has developed a wide-array of interactive sessions.  These include Express Workshops, Gamified Sessions, Discovery Sessions, Industry Showcase Sessions, and Technology Test Kitchen sessions. Refer to the mobile app, website, or printed program for details. Come try something new and different!  We will welcome your feedback on these formats in our post-conference survey.
• Don’t forget to visit the exhibitors and enter to win some fabulous Sponsor and Exhibitor Booth Raffle prizes.  Visit our Special Events page, participate in our social media contest, OLC Accelerate Mission Passport contest, OLC Booth drawing, and our Exhibitor stamp card contest – win an iPad Air 32GB and other prizes!
• There are power stations located in the Atlantic Exhibit Hall and throughout the conference area where devices may be recharged as needed. Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops and mobile devices to sessions, as many presentations are interactive sessions. 
• Info kiosks are strategically located throughout the conference space where you may access the OLC website and OLC Accelerate program. 
• Complimentary wireless internet connection for conference attendees is available in the public and meeting space of the hotel. Those guests who booked their hotel through our conference website will also receive complimentary internet in their guest room.
• Guests who booked their hotel room at the Swan/Dolphin through the Accelerate website and have driven to the conference will receive complimentary parking at the hotel.