Trending Online, Digital and Blended Learning Topics
Join the Online Learning Consortium for a dynamic series of webinars showcasing research-backed practices, strategies, and ideas from the OLC Community.
Attendees selected each of these presentations—with topics including how AI can enhance consultancy skills, AI tools for instructional design, supporting queer and transgender online learners, and the power of generative AI in educational strategy and design—as best in their track at the OLC Accelerate 2024 conference last fall.
This series is truly for the community, by the community.
Track: Leadership, Collaboration, and Professional Development
February 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM EST
This webinar is designed to elevate your instructional design consultancy skills. Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT can simulate realistic SME interactions, helping you navigate common challenges and refine your interpersonal competencies. Through engaging role-plays and scenario reflections, you’ll gain practical insights to enhance collaboration and consultation in real-world settings. Perfect for instructional designers, training professionals, and administrators seeking to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Don’t miss this chance to transform your consulting approach!
Presenters:
Lynn Wahl | Director of Digital Learning Production – University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Kory Trosclair | Instructional Media Designer – University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Jeremy Bailey | Online Multimedia Specialist – University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Track: Innovative Learning Environments and Technologies
February 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM EST
Discover how to create custom AI tools for instructional design in this hands-on webinar led by a pioneering university AI development team. Learn a structured, inclusive approach to designing AI solutions tailored to your needs. Gain access to an AI Development Starter Kit, featuring tools like Lesson Planners and Inclusive Design Assistants, along with annotated prompts to guide your journey. Geared towards instructional designers, faculty, and innovators looking to integrate AI into their workflows.
Presenters:
Jonathan McMichael | Learning Experience Designer – Arizona State University-Tempe
Sue Huffman | Learning Experience Designer – Arizona State University-Tempe
Track: Equity, Access, and Inclusion in Digital Education
March 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM EST
This webinar will explore the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ policies on education, such as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” laws and anti-trans bills in Texas. Discover strategies to create inclusive online environments, support queer and trans learners, and advocate for systemic change. Gain actionable insights to navigate legal challenges, foster belonging, and promote mental health. Ideal for faculty, educators, instructional designers, and administrators committed to equity and inclusion. Together, we can ensure all students thrive!
Presenter:
Arrow Hill | Program Coordinator for Community and Leadership Development, supporting LGBTQIA+ Student Advising – Dartmouth College
Track: Digital Learning Design and Effectiveness
March 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT
This webinar explores the potential of generative AI personas to improve communication, build empathy, and solve complex challenges. Learn a simple three-step process to create data-driven personas and engage in a hands-on role-playing activity to tackle resistance to online learning. Perfect for instructional designers, faculty, and administrators, this session delivers actionable strategies for ethical AI use, effective prompting, cost-effective instructional design, and resource optimization.
Presenters:
John Vivolo, Ed.D(c) | Executive Director of Academic Operations and Teaching and Learning – Yeshiva University
Aaron Ross | Assistant Dean of Academic Programs – Yeshiva University
OLC Innovate, a joint conference presented by OLC and MERLOT, 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.
Online Learning Consortium
6 Liberty Square #2309
Boston, MA 02109
617.716.1414