At the close of every OLC conference, we ask our attendees to take a short survey so we can get their feedback, ideas and input for making our events even better. One of the key takeaways from the survey results has been how valuable and convenient our virtual attendee options have been! Participating in OLC Innovate from a home or office laptop seems like a no brainer when traveling isn’t possible, but don’t take my word for it, read on to hear what attendees had to say about virtual attendance.
Not surprisingly, our previous Virtual Attendees ranked budget or travel allowances/restrictions, convenience, and having access to session recordings for a full year after the conference as the top 3 reasons for participating in OLC Innovate virtually.
“I really like the idea that I can view the other sessions over the next year. I liked the idea of attending, but not having to use extra time or financial assistance for travel and lodging.”
The following responses take deciding on attending virtually a step further.
OLC asked, “What did you like most about this virtual conference?”
Attendees answered:
“Ability to pop-in a session and then pop into another session at the same time without doors slamming, interrupting others, etc.”
OLC: Not to mention having to navigate the conference venue for a different session when sessions have already started!
“Ability to attend from home (no travel). Presentations are easier to take notes on from my computer than sitting in an audience.”
OLC: In the comfort of your office, living room, or kitchen while eating lunch! You also have the ability to stop/start recordings and listen at the volume you choose.
“That we were able to ask questions of the speakers also.”
OLC: And participate in larger conference discussions via our OLC Facebook Group!
OLC Innovate 2020 is Fully Virtual!
OLC and conference partner MERLOT will gather the digital learning community, online, June 15-26, for OLC Innovate™ 2020 Virtual Conference (#OLCInnovate). This year’s theme, “Building Bridges in Digital, Blended and Online Learning,” frames a 10-day online program that highlights inspiring innovators and thought leaders from higher education, K-12, military, health care and workforce education.
“The current health environment requires us to create a new OLC Innovate Conference experience – one that leans heavily on our mission of reaching and engaging ‘anyone, anywhere, anytime,’” said Jennifer Mathes, Chief Executive Officer for the Online Learning Consortium. “Moving our face-to-face conference to a fully online format presents the unique opportunity to spotlight the best of what the online modality affords – meaningful collaboration and the ability to reflect and connect with colleagues around the globe. We look forward to gathering our community for this reimagined event, and the opportunity to celebrate our collective resilience and dedication to forging connections without boundaries.”
Our Group Virtual Attendee Package provides the best savings and is an opportunity for institutions to register an UNLIMITED number of faculty and staff at a single campus to participate in the conference without traveling! Virtual attendance includes access to nearly 300 sessions live (or on-demand for one year post-conference) from the comfort of your desk while participating in chat discussions with your colleagues and peers from around the world. There are other virtual attendee options, too: individual registration, Buy 2 Get 1, and large group package options are all available.
Featured Speakers
The OLC Innovate 2020 Virtual program includes an exciting lineup of innovators, including featured speakers:
- Maha Bali, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice at the Center for Learning and Teaching for American University in Cairo, will deliver a keynote address about “Centering Critical Care During Crises.”
- Martin Weller, e-learning pioneer and Director of The Open Education Research Hub and Director of the GO-GN Network, will deliver a keynote address on “25 Years of Ed Tech – Or Why Understanding Some History Is Useful in the Pandemic.”
- Michael L. Torrence, Ph.D., President of Motlow State Community College, will keynote the conference’s HBCU Summit (one of four summits included with conference registration). Dr. Torrence will present, “The Future of Everything: The Educational Complex.”
- Flower Darby, Director of Teaching for Student Success at Northern Arizona University, will participate in a fireside chat about “COVID-19 and Online Teaching.” Darby is also confirmed to keynote OLC Accelerate 2020 this November.
Unique Program Elements
Registration for the virtual conference includes live-stream and on-demand recordings of nearly 300 sessions, including keynotes, featured sessions, education sessions and industry showcases. The program also includes four targeted summits – HBCU, Research, Community College and the Leadership Network. There will also be opportunities to connect with peers through virtual social and networking activities including happy hours, game socials, guided meditation sessions, and networking coffee breaks.
Looking forward to our best Innovate conference yet – hope you can join us!!