Full Track Descriptions

As you work through the proposal submission process, you will be asked to select your proposed session track. Only one track may be selected. You may also enter any additional keywords to showcase additional themes and trends that are applicable to your proposal. 

Please review the following tracks and program categories listed below prior to submitting your proposal. Click on the (+) to expand each track to open a full description and guiding information for that track.  

Both research and evidence-based proposals are encouraged for submission.  Please align submission to the session type as shown on the session detail page.

If you do not receive your notification by the end of the day on December 22, please contact us.

Learn more about the Barriers to Innovation track:

 

Challenging Barriers to Innovation

Proposals for this track focus on problems inhibiting innovation in higher education. Proposals should present a problem for collaborative resolutions based on challenges faced when planning, implementing and assessing efficacy of innovation. Some potential topics could include:

  • Digital divide
  • Accreditation and alternative providers of education
  • Cybersecurity, oversight, authentication, intellectual property, the “dark side” of innovation
  • Scaling effective practice
  • Insights into the Higher Education Act and its impact on higher education
  • Building a change model for higher education
  • Open scholarship, open access, OER
  • Developing new research models for blended/online/open learning
  • Challenges to disseminating evidence/data
  • Forging and maintaining cross-functional partnerships
  • Faculty and institutional narrative impact on innovation culture

Pedagogical Innovation

Proposals for this track should focus on models or methods for online, blended, or technology-enhanced courses and programs. We welcome sessions that address any aspect of design, instruction, and assessment, and are particularly interested in research-based proposals. Some potential topics could include:

  • New course/program models
  • Alternative paths to degrees
  • New approaches to teaching
  • Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning
  • Technological innovations
  • New assessment models

Structural Innovation

Proposals for this track should focus on structural innovations required for a paradigm shift in higher education. We are particularly interested in research-based proposals. Some potential topics could include:

  • Open learning spaces (physical or digital; MOOCs)
  • Crossing or collapsing disciplinary boundaries
  • Learning analytics and decision making
  • Student support services
  • Connections across systems (K-12, community colleges, etc.)
  • Connections between vendors and faculty
  • Dissolving divides across faculty/staff/students
  • Student success initiatives
  • Curriculum/program reforms (Academic Transformation)

Workforce Innovation

Proposals for this track should focus on strengthening the connection collaboration between higher education and the workforce to increase skill and knowledge application. Research-based proposals are welcome and encouraged. Some potential topics could include:

  • Competency based learning
  • Alternative credentials providers (nano degrees, digital badges, industry and professional certifications)
  • Workforce learning and performance
  • Industry/higher education collaboration
  • Learning and performance innovations
  • Industry standards, curriculum alignment and professional affiliations

Propose Your Own Topic

Proposals for this track fall outside of the other topics listed in tracks requested this year. Submissions appropriate for this track may answer questions such as: “What is innovative teaching/learning?” or “What are effective if unusual ways of increasing student engagement and performance?” Proposals are encouraged to be creative–your proposal may include, but is not limited to, critical views of innovation, intersections of learning and innovation, and considerations for those of you who want to think outside the box. We encourage practical examples, information sessions, hands-on experiences, and research-based proposals for this track. Providing attendees with a session that allows them take-aways to return to their campuses with are strongly encouraged for this track.