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 best practices from successful HBCUs in enhancing open cultures, designing online curricula for the AI era, supporting student learning and easing anxiety, and using custom GPTs to facilitate interactive learning experiences—as best in their track at the OLC Innovate 2025 conference this past spring.
This series is truly for the community, by the community.
Track: Leadership and Organizational Success Strategies
June 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM EDT
Discover how HBCUs are institutionalizing Affordable Learning Solutions and fostering sustainable “Open Culture” across campus communities. Learn from proven strategies inspired by CSU, MERLOT, and SkillsCommons to create inclusive, transparent, and collaborative environments that empower faculty, students, and administrators alike. Explore the HBCU ALS Open Portal—home to the largest curated collection of free, culturally relevant open educational resources designed to support equity, learning, and innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of open education through the HBCU experience.
Presenters:
Quinetta Crawford-Bartley, Ed.D. | Director of Faculty Training/OER/SMART Technology – Tennessee State University
Chasitie Goodman | Executive Director of HBCU C2 – Tennessee State University
Track: Learning Design, Instruction, and Open Pedagogy
July 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM EDT
Join us for a provocative webinar that reimagines course design by embracing—not restricting—AI use. Explore how integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into online curricula can empower students to think critically, solve problems, and develop essential digital skills. Through live demos, an innovative Bloom’s Taxonomy framework, and a hands-on design sprint, you’ll gain practical tools and inspiration to create assignments that harness AI’s potential. This session is perfect for educators ready to move beyond AI avoidance and toward bold, creative, and responsible experimentation in online learning.
Presenters:
Lisa Batchelder | Instructional Designer – Michigan State University
Sarah Freye | Instructional Designer – Michigan State University
Track: Student Support, Success, and Empowerment
July 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM EDT
Design course policies that ease student anxiety without adding to your workload. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), this webinar shares data-driven insights and practical strategies for flexible late work policies and accepting multiple assignment formats. Learn how small policy shifts can reduce stress, boost learner agency, and foster a more inclusive classroom—often with fewer students using the policies than expected. Perfect for faculty, instructional designers, and support staff seeking to create calm, supportive learning environments that work for everyone—including you!
Presenter:
Amber Emanuel, Ph.D. | Associate Professor – University of Florida
Track: Emerging Education Technologies and Innovations
August 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT
This webinar addresses the needs of “Accidental Asynchronous Learners” by showcasing how generative AI tools can reduce transactional distance and simulate meaningful dialogue. Discover practical strategies for integrating GPTs into your teaching to support engagement, autonomy, and student-centered learning. Whether you’re a faculty member, instructional designer, or technologist, you’ll leave with hands-on ideas and inspiration for creating more interactive, AI-enhanced learning environments that empower all students—especially those navigating the challenges of asynchronous education.
Presenter:
Brian Beatty, Ph.D. | Professor of Instructional Design and Technology – San Francisco State University
OLC Accelerate showcases groundbreaking research and highly effective practices in online and digital learning across K-12, higher education, and corporate L&D. This event is designed to empower and support leaders, instructional designers, educators, and training professionals by offering a wide range of sessions and activities.
Online Learning Consortium
6 Liberty Square #2309
Boston, MA 02109
617.716.1414