The OTC’25 Call for Proposals is OPEN!
We would like to invite you to submit a concurrent session proposal for the CCC TechConnect 2025 Online Teaching Conference!
The Online Teaching Conference takes pride in offering the best content for the online teaching community presented BY online teaching professionals and experts. As such, we depend on the online teaching community to participate in the creation of our conference schedule. Engaging a broad group of online educators ensures a more diverse mix of perspectives and experiences. This process enables us to better respond to attendee needs.
Timeline and Proposal Criteria
- Submissions will be accepted starting November 15, 2024 with a deadline of midnight on January 31, 2025, but early submissions are encouraged!
- Each proposal may have up to 4 presenters
- We welcome non-commercial presentations from educators in the California Community Colleges and beyond. Note: If you are a vendor, please see below.
- Proposal must be submitted electronically.
- Submitting a proposal is confirmation of availability to present at any time June 16-18 if selected UNLESS specific exceptions are noted on the proposal form.
- All presenters will be required to register for the conference at the early bird rate of $499, (if your proposal is accepted, you will receive a link to register as a “presenter” in March 2025 or earlier).
- Presenters will be asked to upload ADA compliant resources (presentations, documents or links) 1-2 weeks prior to their presentation. Presentation guidelines and a ppt template will be provided.
Theme
Exploring the Future of Online Education: AI, Innovation, and Equity in Learning
OTC’25 will explore the future of online education through the lens of inquiry, focusing on innovative pedagogy, technology integration, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Participants will engage in discussions about cutting-edge teaching methodologies, AI- and XR-enhanced tools, and effective strategies for student engagement and retention.
In addition, the conference will emphasize equity, accessibility, mental well-being, and the creation of inclusive online environments that support diverse learners. It will also highlight professional development opportunities for educators and explore future trends in online learning.
Recognizing that many faculty and staff are facing challenges and may feel overwhelmed by rapid advancements, the event will include a beginner-friendly approach. Attendees will gain foundational insights and practical applications of AI and other topics tailored for those new to the field.
Tracks
To allow participants to plan their schedules more effectively, enabling a focused approach to learning and development, the following tracks will be offered at OTC’25. When submitting your proposal, you will be required to indicate the track that you feel best matches your topic, (please note that upon review, the content committee may reassign the track).
To allow participants to plan their schedules more effectively, enabling a focused approach to learning and development, the following tracks will be offered at OTC’25. When submitting your proposal, you will be required to indicate the track that you feel best matches your topic, (please note that upon review, the content committee may reassign the track).
1. AI in Higher Education: Implementation, Integration, and Impact of Emerging Technologies
Examples:
– Examining the integration of artificial intelligence in higher education.
– Innovative research and practical applications that highlight AI’s potential to enhance teaching, personalize learning, and streamline administrative processes.
– AI-driven assessments, adaptive learning technologies, virtual assistants, and ethical considerations.
– Address the need for colleges to find ways to assess and adopt the rapidly expanding array of educational technologies.
2. Innovative Pedagogy and Course Design
Examples:
– Explore cutting-edge teaching strategies and methodologies that enhance online learning, including active learning, and experiential learning.
– Dive into effective course design principles, including curriculum mapping, alignment of learning outcomes, and creating accessible materials.
– Discuss emerging trends, technologies, and pedagogical shifts that are shaping the future of online learning.
3. Online Education and Student Engagement
Examples:
– Explore the latest educational technologies, tools, and new Canvas features designed to enhance online instruction, including innovative multimedia resources (for example, 3rd-party add on/tools) for dynamic, effective teaching.
– Focus on strategies to foster engagement, motivation, and community-building among online students, including gamification, collaborative projects, and interactive content.
– Focus on human-centered/centric or humanized learning and/or what elements of instruction students and faculty bring to the classroom that are uniquely human?
– Focus on regular interaction, and how to provide students with predictable, scheduled opportunities for substantive engagement throughout the course, tailored to the course’s duration and content level
4. Assessment and Feedback
Examples:
– Discuss best practices for assessing online student performance, providing meaningful feedback, and utilizing data analytics to improve learning outcomes.
– Address the growing concern about student use of AI technologies to complete assignments and how it affects online assessment and pedagogical practices.
5. Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Well-Being
Examples:
– Address the challenges of creating accessible and inclusive online learning environments that support diverse learners and promote equity.
– Explore strategies to support the mental health and well-being of both students and educators in online learning settings.
– Highlight opportunities for continuous learning, mentorship, and community building among online instructors to enhance their skills and effectiveness.
– Focus on strategies for integrating international perspectives and cross-cultural communication in online courses.
Session Types
- Panel – provides a coordinated presentation by up to 4 panelists on the general topic of the panel. We encourage working together across your community and with your colleagues to create a panel!
- Discussion (Birds of a Feather) – designed to build networks and explore ideas. Rather than give a formal presentation, presenter will prepare questions or ideas around a particular topic and lead attendees in a discussion for the full lenght of the session.
- Presentation/Demonstration – presentation that shows how to use or apply an evaluation concept or tool.
- Roundtable – a 30-minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of discussion and feedback. Roundtable presenters should bring targeted questions to pose to others in order to learn from and with those attending. Roundtables are an ideal format for an in-depth discussion on a particular topic.
- Hands-On – a session that teaches a specific skill and include one or more exercises that let attendees practice using this skill hands-on.
Session Length
Each session is 50 minutes, but we may accommodate a few longer sessions upon request. If you’d like to request a 75-minute session, please indicate this in your submission (though additional time is not guaranteed).
Scoring Rubric
Submit a Proposal
Do you have questions?
Contact speakers@onlineteachingconference.org. Please allow up to three business days for a response.
Diversity Statement
To support the California Community College (CCC) system’s commitment to equity, CCC TechConnect’s Online Teaching Conference welcomes proposals from enthusiastic and committed individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences (representative of the learning community). We encourage people from all races/ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and cultures to submit proposals for consideration. Diversity makes us stronger.
Online Teaching Conference is a unique face-to-face premier gathering of faculty, staff, and administrators leading the way in developing innovative and effective online education. As an inter-segmental conference focused on curriculum, pedagogy and technology to improve online instruction, learning, and student success, the Online Teaching Conference is an opportunity for educators to network with colleagues, connect, share knowledge, impart and receive best practices, and develop professionally.
The Online Teaching Conference is an annual non-profit event presented by CCC TechConnect and funded under a California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office grant. The conference connects online educators within as well as outside the CCC system and promotes high quality online teaching and course design.
