at Tarleton State University, Ft. Worth, TX
at Rockford University, Rockford, IL
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OLC Elevate is a bold new initiative from the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) that brings high-impact digital learning discussions, hands-on workshops, and thought leadership directly to your regional community. Designed as an alternative to traditional large-scale conferences, each OLC Elevate event is co-created with a selected partner organization to focus on timely, cutting-edge topics that drive meaningful innovation.
Events are capped at 200 attendees to foster deep connections and personal engagement that larger venues can’t replicate.
Participate in hands-on workshops and expert-led panels focused on emerging trends and practical instructional design.
Save on travel costs while connecting with local digital learning advocates to tackle regional education challenges.
Explore deep dives into the future of educational ecosystems at the Texas event or the transformative power of AI integration at the Illinois event.
Host: Tarleton State University
Date: August 3-5, 2026
Theme: Rethinking the Learning Enterprise: From Institutions to Ecosystems
Host: Rockford University
Date: August 6-7, 2026
Theme: Bridging Innovation: Transforming Education through Digital Learning and AI Integration
Photo credit: Tarleton State University
Photo credit: Rockford University
All sessions are held at Tarleton State University Fort Worth in the Interprofessional Education Building (IPE)
Theme: Rethinking the Learning Enterprise: From Institutions to Ecosystems
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Opening Provocation
IPE – Grand Room
1:00 – 2:15 pm
Studio Dialogue I
IPE – Grand Room
2:45 – 3:30 pm
Concurrent Session 1
IPE Rooms 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 (Floor 3)
3:45 – 4:30 pm
Concurrent Session 2
IPE Rooms 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 (Floor 3)
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Networking Event with Exhibitors/Sponsors
IPE – Lobby
8:15 – 9:00 am
Breakfast
IPE – Lobby
9:00 – 9:45 am
Concurrent Session 3
IPE Rooms 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 (Floor 3)
10:00 – 10:45 am
Concurrent Session 4
IPE Rooms 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 (Floor 3)
10:45 – 11:15 am
Networking Break
IPE – Lobby
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Concurrent Session 5
IPE Rooms 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 (Floor 3)
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch
CAB Rooms 121-122
1:00 – 1:45 pm
Studio Dialogue II
IPE – Grand Room
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Guided Unconference
IPE Rooms 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 (Floor 3)
3:00 pm
Departures on own for Ft. Worth Stockyards
3:30 – 6:00 pm
Historic Ft. Worth Stockyard Cattle Drive (4pm), followed by networking cocktail party
Historic Ft. Worth Stockyards – location TBD
7:45 – 8:30 am
Breakfast
IPE – Lobby
8:30 – 9:15 am
Concurrent Session 7
IPE Rooms 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 (Floor 3)
9:30 – 10:15 am
Concurrent Session 8
IPE Rooms 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 (Floor 3)
10:30 – 11:15 am
Fishbowl Conversations
IPE Green Rooms, 417, 418, 419, 420 (Floor 4)
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Closing Plenary & Synthesis
IPE – Grand Room
All sessions are held at Rockford University in the Starr Science Center (Bldg 5)
Theme: Bridging Innovation: Transforming Education through Digital Learning and AI Integration
7:45 – 9:00 am
Breakfast
Main Lobby
9:00 – 9:30 am
Opening Provocation
Peterson Auditorium
9:30 – 10:15 am
Studio Dialogue I
Peterson Auditorium
10:15 – 10:45 am
Networking Break
Main Lobby
10:45 – 11:30 am
Concurrent Session 1
Starr 221, 223, 225, 227, 233
11:30 am – 12:45 pm
Lunch
Burpee Student Center Dining Hall
12:45 – 1:30 pm
Studio Dialogue II
Peterson Auditorium
1:45 – 2:30 pm
Concurrent Session 2
Starr 221, 223, 225, 227, 233
2:45 – 3:30 pm
Concurrent Session 3
Starr 221, 223, 225, 227, 233
3:30 – 4:00 pm
Networking Break
Main Lobby
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Guided Unconference
Peterson Auditorium
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Networking Event with Exhibitors/Sponsors
Main Lobby
7:45 – 8:30 am
Breakfast
Main Lobby
8:30 – 9:15 am
Plenary Panel
Peterson Auditorium
9:30 – 10:15 am
Concurrent Session 4
Starr 221, 223, 225, 227, 233
10:15 – 10:45 am
Networking Break
Main Lobby
10:45 – 11:30 am
Fishbowl Conversations
Starr 221, 223, 225, 227, 233
11:30 am – 12:45 pm
Lunch
Burpee Student Center Dining Hall
12:45 – 1:30 pm
Concurrent Session 5
Starr 221, 223, 225, 227, 233
1:45 – 3:00 pm
Closing Plenary & Synthesis
Peterson Auditorium
Are you driving change in digital learning? Share your expertise! The Call for Proposals (CFP) opens March 2, 2026, and runs through April 6, 2026. We are seeking presentations on theory, research, and applied effective teaching practices.
Interested in showcasing your organization’s leadership? We are currently seeking partner institutions for our 2027 and 2028 events.
Please note: OLC Elevate 2026 is an exclusively in-person experience; there is no virtual program for these events.
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OLC Innovate provides a path for innovators of all experience levels and backgrounds to share best practices, test new ideas, and collaborate on driving forward online, digital, and blended learning. Join us as we challenge our teaching and learning paradigms, reimagine the learning experience, and ideate on how disruptions in education today will shape the innovative classroom of tomorrow.