Whether you’re sharing research, presenting new strategies, or exploring emerging trends in learning and development, your insights drive the future of online and digital learning. The Call for Proposals is now open through May 21, 2025.
The Next 30 Years: Vision, Inspiration, and Transformation
Now is the time to share your transformative ideas with your global network of colleagues, your community, and those who inspire and seek inspiration. The Online Learning Consortium invites you to submit a presentation proposal for the OLC Accelerate 2025 conference (November 17-20). Join us as we return to sunny Orlando, Florida to celebrate the 31st year of this conference. Come share your vision and inspiration with us!
We’re seeking 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 across K-12, higher education, and industry.
Please note, all proposals for Accelerate 2025 are for onsite sessions in Orlando. There is no virtual program associated with OLC’s fall conference.
All individuals (presenters, co-presenters, and authors) submitted on a conference proposal must have a current OLC User account with name, title, and organization. You will also be asked to upload a photo (optional but strongly recommended) and short bio (required) for each presenter. 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 that 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) prior to 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
- March 19, 2025: Call for Proposals opens
- May 21, 2025 (by 11:59pm ET): Proposals due
- July 28, 2025: Notification of acceptance
- August 11, 2025: Deadline for presenters to accept
- August 20, 2025: Full program published
- September 22, 2025: Deadline for presenters to register
- October 20, 2025: Deadline to edit abstracts
- October 27, 2025: Deadline for presentations to be uploaded to the conference resource library
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 L&D 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 - Innovative and Effective Digital Learning Design
Redefining Online or eLearning Through Creativity, Technology, and Best Practices
This track explores the intersection of cutting-edge technologies, innovative pedagogies, and best practices to create engaging, effective, and accessible online or elearning environments. It focuses on leveraging tools such as AI, VR/AR, and mobile applications to create dynamic learning experiences that address the needs of all learners. Emphasis is placed on designing learning experiences that prioritize engagement, accessibility, and measurable success while supporting modern learners and the future workforce.
- Emerging Technologies in Digital Learning
- AI-supported pedagogies and methods
- Immersive learning experiences – leveraging virtual and augmented reality
- Mobile learning innovations
- Gamification & adaptive technologies – engaging learners through gamified and adaptive technologies
- Innovative Course Design and Engagement
- Instructional strategies promoting engagement and student motivation
- Trends in instructional design for online STEM education and other experiential disciplines
- Digital courseware for adaptive and personalized learning
- Accessible Learning Design
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and accessibility
- Innovative methods for equitable uses of educational technology
- Open educational practices (OEP) and open pedagogy
- Assessment and Measuring Effectiveness
- Evidence-based practices in digital learning
- Innovative and inclusive assessment strategies
- Data-driven approaches to measuring impact and effectiveness
- Preparing for the Future of Work and Learning
- Microcredentialing and competency-based instruction
- Supporting lifelong learning, reskilling, and upskilling initiatives
- Creating scalable digital learning pathways for employee upskilling
Track #2 - Leadership, Partnerships, and Organizational Strategy
Empowering Leaders and Fostering Innovation in Online Learning
This track focuses on empowering leaders to drive innovation and transformation in online and blended learning. It explores strategies for fostering collaborative partnerships, aligning institutional goals with digital learning initiatives, and creating sustainable frameworks for long-term success.
- Creating supportive pathways for emerging digital leaders
- Visionary leadership for online, digital, and blended learning
- Strategic planning for digital transformation
- Developing partnerships for digital equity and fostering innovation
- Building alliances to align workforce education with industry needs
- Building and sustaining partnerships
- Resourcing and funding digital learning initiatives
- Crisis management and resilience in leadership
- Measuring impact and ROI of online learning strategies
- Fostering a culture of innovation
Track #3 - Learner Success, Engagement, and Empowerment
Enhancing Learner Success and Well-being in Digital Environments
Dedicated to showcasing effective strategies for supporting learners’ academic and emotional well-being in online, blended, and digital learning contexts. This track explores advising, mentoring, support services, and initiatives that humanize the digital learning experience, with a focus on creating supportive communities that cater to the unique needs of all students.
- Online advising and success coaching
- Mental health and well-being support services
- Strategies to improve retention and outcomes in digital learning
- Supporting diverse learners and inclusive online education
- Empowering K-12 students with digital literacy and equitable access to resources.
- Designing programs to upskill employees while supporting their success.
- Approaches to peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, and tutoring
- Measuring and enhancing learner engagement
- Humanizing online learning experiences
- Career pathways for current learners and alumni of online programs
Track #4 - Professional Development, Quality Assurance, and Support
Empowering Educators & Learning Professionals to Thrive in Online and Digital Learning Environments
This track combines strategies for professional development with a focus on quality assurance to create a cohesive framework for delivering high-quality online and digital education. It explores innovative approaches to professional development, mentoring, and community building while also addressing the importance of continuous improvement through evaluation and feedback. Emphasis is placed on fostering inclusive teaching practices, supporting transitions to digital modalities, and establishing standards for excellence in online and digital education.
- Professional Development for Online Teaching & Training
- Designing and delivering effective faculty training programs
- Ongoing professional learning opportunities for digital educators & learning professionals
- Leveraging communities of practice to support continuous growth
- Coaching and mentoring trainers for effective digital learning facilitation
- Supporting Educators & Learning Professionals in Design and Delivery
- Collaborative approaches to instructional design
- Providing resources and tools to enhance online teaching & training effectiveness
- Strategies for managing workload and preventing burnout
- Cultivating Effective and Supportive Teaching Practices
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework for accessible teaching
- Supporting educators and learning professionals in addressing the diverse needs of learners
- Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
- Establishing and adhering to standards for online course quality
- Developing a culture of accountability and excellence in digital learning
- Evaluating and Recognizing Excellence
- Developing frameworks for evaluating performance in online teaching & training
- Recognizing and celebrating achievements in digital education
- Encouraging innovation
- Change Management and Engagement
- Supporting educators & learning professionals during transitioning to hybrid, blended, or fully virtual classrooms
- Encouraging buy-on for digital learning initiatives
- Building a culture of innovation and collaboration
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 - Conversation, Not Presentation (45 minutes)
Attendees should expect to be actively involved in discussions and activities during Conversations, Not Presentations. This means participating in question-and-answer sessions, potential group work, and interactive activities.
These 45-minute facilitated Conversation, Not Presentation sessions should propose an issue, challenge, or idea pertinent to the track description to discuss with participants. This session type should be highly interactive, with discussion, activities, and participant engagement. Presenters organize the conversation around a few key points to facilitate discussion, and the audience explores a presented topic, solves a dilemma, or otherwise contributes to meeting a challenge. Your proposal should include the conversation topic and engaging questions for discussion.
Note: These presentations will be “slide-free” or single-slide proposals (a small set of introductory slides to set the tone and expectations for the conversations is fine). Be sure to make a plan for assistive technology or accommodations for those who rely on slide decks (handouts, interactive activities, conversations, etc.).
Session Type #2 - Discovery Session (Short conversations with multiple attendees over a 45-minute session)
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 their 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 5-7 minutes of information sharing by the presenter, followed by discussion. (Presentation is repeated 2-3 times over a 45-minute timeframe).
- 1-3 presenters engaging in meaningful conversations with attendees.
- Presentation style is conversational, concise, and impactful.
- 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.
Session Type #3 - Graduate Student Discovery Session (Short conversations with multiple attendees over a 45-minute session)
Proposals may include works in progress or completed research results. Graduate Student 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 teaching and learning. The proposal submission must follow the guidelines of the OLC Accelerate 2025 conference sessions. Those presenting as a graduate student through this CFP process are eligible to receive a discounted registration rate for onsite attendance. To receive the discounted rate, graduate student presenters will be expected to fulfill a volunteer commitment of four hours over the conference week.
Graduate Student 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.
Key Features:
- Typically 5-7 minutes of information sharing by the presenter, followed by discussion. (Presentation is repeated 2-3 times over a 45-minute timeframe).
- 1-3 presenters engaging in meaningful conversations with attendees.
- Presentation style is conversational, concise, and impactful.
- 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.
Session Type #4 - Education Session (45-minute classic presentation, panel, or interview)
Attendees should expect to listen to lecture-like material 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. Note: With education sessions, there is a strong preference for proposals that include unique strategies for engaging the audience.
- Accompanied by a slide presentation (important for accessibility purposes).
Session Type #5 - Engagement Activity (45 minutes on average)
Your engagement activity proposal should breathe life into the spaces between our scheduled events (i.e. during networking breaks, lunches, 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 are submitting 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 to our conference. At the end of your extended abstract, please include details on room set-up and supplies needed for your proposed activity.
Session Type #6 - Express Session (15 minute session)
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 an express 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 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 own contexts within online and blended learning.
Session Type #7 - 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 #8 - Workshop (90 minutes)
Attendees should expect to be actively involved during Workshops. This means participating in question-and-answer sessions, potential group work, possible project completion, and interactive activities.
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 interactive workshops that are forward-thinking 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 home 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 Accelerate 2024 theme 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.
Workshops are offered free to all participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that computers are not provided for this or any session at OLC Accelerate; therefore, all sessions are designated as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Each presenter must bring their own laptop/device and must specify in advance what device and/or software requirements (i.e., mobile device or laptop required for participation, required apps for full participation) are expected of participants attending the workshop. 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. 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 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 Accelerate 2025 conference, conference location, programming opportunities, etc?
For more detailed information about the conference, please visit the OLC Accelerate 2025 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 Accelerate 2025? When is my proposal due and when will I be notified?
- March 19, 2025: Call for Proposals opens
- May 21, 2025 (by 11:59pm ET): Proposals due
- July 28, 2025: Notification of acceptance
- August 11, 2025: Deadline for presenters to accept
- August 20, 2025: Full program published
- September 22, 2025: Deadline for presenters to register
- October 20, 2025: Deadline to edit abstracts
- October 27, 2025: Deadline for presentations to be uploaded to the conference resource library
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 July 28, 2025, please contact us at conference@onlinelearning-c.org.
Is there still time to volunteer to help with the OLC Accelerate 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 pre-conference and during the onsite and/or virtual conference weeks.
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 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 Accelerate conference?
Yes, all accepted presenters must register and pay the published registration fees for the OLC Accelerate conference. Pricing information for presenters is available on the OLC Accelerate 2025 registration 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. Exhibitors may have access to Solution Showcase sessions on a space-available basis.
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 Accelerate 2025 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, lunches, 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 Accelerate 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. Other than for ticketed pre-conference events including Immersion Sessions (Pre-conference workshops), the K-12 Symposium, and the Leadership Network Symposium, 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. If presenters are expecting attendees to have access to or utilize specific technology, this should be explicitly detailed in your session abstract. Participants are responsible for bringing their own devices. Wireless connectivity is provided for onsite participants.
- 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.
What will my presentation environment (i.e. 'room') look like?
Rooms will be primarily set in banquet round seating. There will be a podium and head table for presenters in the front of the room. Some rooms have two entry points, others only have one. Discovery Session presenters share a large space in the rear of the exhibit hall for concurrent presentations. Each Discovery Session “station” includes a high table, a low table, a chair, and a monitor.
What technology is provided by the conference?
Each room is equipped with an LCD projector (16:9 aspect ratio), wireless Internet connection, laptop audio output capability, a podium, and a screen. Rooms are not equipped with computers; presenters must provide their own computers and adaptors. The conference does not provide laptops for presenters. Please bring any specialized conversion cables and adaptors along with you, such as Mac adapters, if needed to connect to HDMI. Microphones, including a mic at the podium (gooseneck or lav, depending on the room), are available for the lead presenter and co-presenters will have use of mics on stands on a head table. Some rooms are of a size where it is deemed microphones are not needed.
Exception – Discovery Sessions: Presenters are provided a 32″ monitor to plug their laptop into and a power drop to charge devices, but are otherwise responsible for bringing any other technology they require for their session.
What assistance and technical support will be available to presenters?
Technicians will be roaming the rooms to assist if needed. Presenters will also have hall monitors who can secure assistance should a technician not be readily available. Additionally, conference staff and volunteers will be available onsite for other support such as navigating the conference space and registration questions.
We encourage all presenters to either attend or review the recording of the presenter services webinars for more guidance on what to expect as a presenter.
Will my presentation be evaluated?
All sessions have a unique evaluation link in the conference platform. 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. We recommend presenters download our “Session Evaluation Reminder Slide” (.pptx – coming soon) and insert at the beginning and end of presentation content to encourage attendees to complete session evaluations.
Will OLC cover any other conference-related expenses for presenters?
No, OLC does not cover any other conference-related expenses for presenters. As a non-profit, OLC is unable to provide assistance for registration, travel, or lodging expenses to presenters. Presenters are responsible for their own registration fees, travel, and lodging expenses, including all taxes and fees on said travel and lodging expenses.
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 on August 20, you may search for your presentation date/time/room assignment. You may search a number of ways – by track, by presentation type, date, etc. – to find your presentation. 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 rooms, dates, and times do change. If attending onsite, 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 (the person who submitted the proposal) 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 (May 21 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.
Questions or requests for assistance?
Feel free to contact us at conference@onlinelearning-c.org for support from our Program or Engagement Co-Chairs.
Program Co-Chair – Andrew Wiss, George Washington University
Program Co-Chair – Jennifer Wurch, Penn Foster
Engagement Co-Chair – Amy Johnson, University of Arizona Global Campus
Engagement Co-Chair – Haley Sampson, University of Arizona Global Campus
