A World of Adjuncts: Challenges, Support, and a Way Forward

Track: Professional Development and Support
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21: 11:15am – 12:30pm

During this session, a panel of experts will share challenges faced by adjuncts and the institutions which employ them, effective models and practices to support and develop contingent faculty, and a way forward for all educational institutions to develop pathways for adjunct, student, and institutional success. Questions from participants welcomed.

Presenters:

Angela Gibson, Texas A & M University – Kingsville
Lynette O’Keefe, Online Learning Consortium
Tina Rettler-Pagel, Madison College
Cindy Mathena, University of St. Augustine

Extended Abstract


Changes In Federal Regulation And State Authorization

Track: Leadership and Institutional Strategies
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21: 9:45am – 10:30am

The Department of Education’s 2019 Negotiated Rulemaking came to consensus and provided new proposed rules related to state authorization. What happened next? Our discussion will cover new regulations, effective regulations, lawsuits, and the impact all of these have on institutions that offer out-of-state activities, programs leading to professional licensure by all modalities, and institutions that participate in a reciprocity agreement. We will also address how to provide effective and accurate communication of the responsibilities for compliance management to key stakeholders of the institution.

Presenters:

Cheryl Dowd, WCET – the WICHE Cooperative for Education Technologies
Jennifer Mathes, Online Learning Consortium

Extended Abstract


Digital Learning Innovation Trends

Track: Research
Date & Time: Friday, November 22: 11:45am – 12:30pm

Wondering about innovations in digital learning? Curious about emerging trends? Interested in research methods used in big-data analysis? If so, come see what Tanya Joosten, Ph.D., has uncovered through vigorous research of OLC’s past Digital Learning Innovation Award submissions, and resulting plans the Every Learner Everywhere Network has developed.

Presenters:

Tanya Joosten, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Kate Lee-McCarthy, Online Learning Consortium

Extended Abstract


Do We Need the Provost to Lead Digital Transformation?

Track: Leadership and Institutional Strategies
Date & Time: Friday, November 22: 9:45am – 10:30am

At the conclusion of the successful ACAO Digital Fellows Project in June 2019, we reviewed the findings of a project that included 32 chief academic Officers, 84 courses, 103 faculty members and 7,500 students across the country. The 32 of us who are Provosts and Chief Academic Officers launched campus projects that were completed using adaptive digital courseware in piloted courses on their campuses. Most of the Digital Fellows experiences anywhere from modest to significant success with their pilot projects as measured by course retention, reduced DWFI rates, and other metrics. But did the provost need to lead the project, or could someone else have stepped in? This article seeks to identify the advantages of having the Provost lead digital transformation on their campuses.

Presenter:

Laura Niesen, York College of Pennsylvania

Extended Abstract


Experiential Learning to Develop the Digital Professionals of the Future

Track: Teaching and Learning Effectiveness
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20: 3:45pm – 4:30pm

Explore and connect around experiential learning strategies to ensure students across majors and backgrounds are ready to flourish in today’s quickly changing and increasingly digital professional landscape. Discover how students are using technologies such as the Internet of Things, online learning and collaboration tools to gain real-world professional experience. Discuss how curriculum can focus on career-competencies to help students toward their career goals and how cross-university collaboration and connections between higher education and industry can help students on their college-to-career path.

Presenters:

Phil Ventimiglia, Georgia State University
Julian Allen, Georgia State University

Extended Abstract


How We Got Here: The Evolution Of OLC And Why It Matters

Track: Leadership and Institutional Strategies
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20: 1:15pm – 2:00pm

The story of OLC from its beginnings in Sloan Foundation grants to the present as told by the people who made it happen. Special attention will be paid to how that history made online learning in the US what it is today and what it might mean for the future.

Presenters:

Karen Swan, University of Illinois Springfield
Frank Mayadas, The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Ralph Gomory, The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Eric Fredericksen, University of Rochester
Mary Niemiec, University of Nebraska
Kaye Shelton, Lamar University: Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Global)

Extended Abstract


Increasing Equity for Online Learners at Both Course and Institutional Levels

Track: Learner Services and Support
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21: 1:15pm – 2:00pm

For institutions that want to create an equity initiative to support online learners, there are not many resources to support their efforts. That’s what led our group to create first the Peralta Equity Rubric and more recently the Peralta Equity Initiative. Join us to learn about a) Peralta’s two new equity rubrics to support online learners in both course and institutional environments, b) training modules to prepare faculty and staff to implement equity strategies, and c) a set of resources for you to start an equity initiative at your own institution!

Presenters:

Kevin Kelly, San Francisco State University
Inger Stark, Peralta Community College District

Extended Abstract


Jump-starting an Education Research Project: Applying a 4-Step Process to Plan Your Research

Track: Professional Development and Support
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21: 1:15pm – 2:00pm

Bring your burning education research questions and ideas and be prepared to jump start your next education research project. During this fast-paced, interactive, and information packed session presenters will use a case-study approach to exemplify a 4-step process to design, conduct and disseminate your next education research project. We will also share research tips, techniques, and tools and solicit others from participants. Bring a device and a research question ideas you want to jump start.

Presenters:

Paige McDonald, The George Washington University
Peggy Moore, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Heather Billings, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Elissa Hall, Mayo Clinic

Extended Abstract


Launching a Successful Digital Accessibility Initiative

Track: Leadership and Institutional Strategies
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21: 9:45am – 10:30am

Recognizing gaps in practice and best practices in T/L relating to digital accessibility, areas of optimal improvement were located and countered, resulting in significant positive impacts in overall accessibility in the digital space. Using a faculty incentive and training program served as the foundation for a culture of accessibility in a campus environment.

Presenter:

Sherri Restauri, Coastal Carolina University – Office of Online Learning

Extended Abstract


Online Education’s Next Twenty-Five Years: Will the Academy Lose its Sense of Purpose?

Track: Leadership and Institutional Strategies
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20: 2:15pm – 3:00pm

A panel of leading educators will speculate on what the next twenty-five years will bring to online education. The discussants will consider both the near future (2020s) and more distant future (2030s and beyond) and will explore advances in adaptive technology, brain-machine interfaces, and artificial intelligence on teaching and learning. These evolving technologies have the potential to change the traditional role of professionals in our colleges and universities to the point that educators will have to redefine their purpose as teachers, administrators, and researchers.

Presenters:

Anthony Picciano, CUNY – Hunter College and Graduate Center
Elizabeth Ciabocchi, St. John’s University
Julia Parra, New Mexico State University-Main Campus-Las Cruses
Michael Torrence, Motlow State Community College

Extended Abstract


Personalized Learning at Scale: Using Adaptive Tools & Digital Assistants

Track: Tools and Technologies
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20: 2:15pm – 3:30pm

Considering today’s overstimulated lifestyle, how do we engage busy learners to stay on task? Join this session to discover current efforts in implementing ubiquitous educational opportunities through customized interests and personalized learning aspirations e.g., AI support communities, and memory management systems.

Presenters:

Heather Nebrich, Arizona State University

Extended Abstract


Transforming Learning via Learning Sciences: Applying Theoretical Positions, Research, and Approaches within a Multidisciplinary Approach for Enhancing Learning

Track: Teaching and Learning Effectiveness
Date & Time: Friday, November 22: 10:45am – 11:30am

Since the 1980s, there has been a growing body of literature and research that recognizes the importance of Learning Sciences (LS). Learning Sciences seek to embody a multidisciplinary approach that is aligned with the constructivist, social-constructivist, socio-cognitive, and socio-cultural theories of learning. Learning sciences will transform the way learning is perceived. This session will (1) articulate the need for an interdisciplinary approach for learning via learning sciences, (2) analyze the requirements for learning environments for the 21st century within a learning sciences framework, and (3) present a multidisciplinary approach for course design and development.

Presenters:

Rohan Jowallah, University of Central Florida
Luke Bennett, Clemson University

Extended Abstract


Using Data Science to Increase Student Success in Online Education

Track: Research
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21: 8:45am – 9:30am

Data has been called “the new oil” and online education generates substantial data reserves. In this presentation, we’ll discuss several applied research projects using data science for student success, including predictive modeling, automated writing evaluation, and course design. We will also discuss ethical issues and next steps in the field.

Presenters:

John Whitmer, ACT
John Fritz, University of Maryland – Baltimore County

Extended Abstract


When Learning Engineering Meets Instructional Design

Track: Professional Development and Support
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21: 3:00pm – 3:45pm

The need for scientific competence related to education and training programs design, development and evaluation has existed for decades. As technology has continued its advances, engineering methods are increasingly valued for learning and development initiatives that depend upon data science, computer science and learning science to structure solutions and to measure outcomes and results. Learning engineering recognizes that the development of new tools and architectures to help advance learning can benefit from engineering expertise. This session explores what this may means to instructional design and instructional designers alike.

Presenter:

Ellen Wagner, North Coast EduVisory Services LLC

Extended Abstract