Click here to download a pdf of the schedule.
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.
1. AI in Higher Education: Implementation, Integration, and Impact of Emerging Technologies
2. Innovative Pedagogy and Course Design
3. Online Education and Student Engagement
4. Assessment and Feedback
5. Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Well-Being
Session Types
Each session is 50 minutes unless otherwise noted.
- Keynote/General session – 60-90 minute session for all attendees that addresses the main theme points of the conference.
- Panel – provides a coordinated presentation by up to 4 panelists on the general topic of the panel.
- Discussion / Networking – 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.
- Hands-On – a session that teaches a specific skill and include one or more exercises that let attendees practice using this skill hands-on.
Keynotes
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 Trudi Radtke
AI Literacy, Equity, and the Future of Higher Education: A Call to Action Artificial Intelligence is transforming the workforce, and higher education must choose to shape this change with intention. This keynote presents a people-first, ethics-driven approach to integrating AI in education—focusing on learning, equity, and curiosity over profit. We’ll explore innovations like AI agents, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and personalized learning tools that enhance engagement while addressing ethical concerns. Key takeaways include: Join us to discover how higher education can align AI with human values and prepare students to lead in an AI-driven future. Bio: Trudi Radtke is a visionary leader in education technology, open access advocacy, and Al integration, with over a decade of impact on California’s community colleges. As an Open access advocate and researcher Trudi served as the lead editor for over 100 open access textbooks and advocated for open access policies at the state, federal, and international level including crafting policy briefs for U.S. Congress and driving systemic change through equitable access policies. As a technologist and AI literacy researcher Trudi’s main research focus is the critical expansion of digital literacy and the role it plays in creating informed and empowered citizens. Currently an AI Fellow at the state chancellor’s office Trudi’s work is reshaping how technology empowers inclusive, impactful learning environments. Their commitment to equity, accessibility, and innovation reflects both their professional achievements and personal journey as a first-generation college graduate, former CA community college student, and lifelong learner.
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Dr. Safiya U. NobleClick here to download a pdf of the schedule.
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Accessibility Intelligence: Supporting Accessibility and Inclusivity with AI Every student has the right to learn through materials they can easily access, consume, and review. Building accessibility and inclusivity into course design and instructional materials from the beginning establishes a solid foundation for student success. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can support the design and development of courses and content that meet each student’s needs. In this presentation, we review key WCAG 2.2 accessibility guidelines and promising inclusivity practices for common online instructional materials, including text, images, audio, and video. For each type of media, we will review the use of AI tools, including Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, and the AI features of common multimedia production tools, like automatic voice transcription and more, to help develop materials that support students of all abilities and identities. We will conclude with a brief preview of emerging trends in supporting accessibility and inclusivity with AI. Used effectively, AI tools support the development of instructional materials that improve the learning experience for all students.
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AI Unleashed: Beyond Basics – Uncover AI’s Hidden Teaching Potential Ready to level up your AI game? Join us for a lively, fast-paced session where we’ll demo fresh, impactful AI strategies to supercharge your online teaching. Whether you’re looking to boost student engagement, streamline course design, or add some serious AI flair, we’ve got you covered. Perfect for experienced users and curious newbies alike. All faculty who are eager to stay ahead of the curve—and have a little fun while they’re at it—are welcome. |
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Build-a-Bot: Designing With PlayLab This hands-on workshop introduces participants to PlayLab, an AI tool officially supported by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, designed to help educators build customized study bots—no coding required! Participants will gain practical experience in creating AI-powered bots tailored to instructional, student support, and administrative needs. Through guided activities, attendees will design, test, and deploy their own bot while exploring how PlayLab can integrate Open Educational Resources (OER) to expand access to free, high-quality learning tools. This session demystifies AI, providing a welcoming space to experiment and innovate. Walk away with a fully functional bot and the confidence to explore AI’s role in education! Conference Theme Alignment: Build A Bot directly aligns with OTC’25’s theme of AI, innovation, and equity in online learning by offering a beginner-friendly, hands-on experience in AI-powered instructional tools. PlayLab democratizes AI by enabling faculty, staff, and administrators to create customized AI assistants without coding. This workshop embraces inquiry-based learning, technology integration, and inclusive AI-driven solutions for online education, supporting accessibility, student engagement, and retention. |
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Empowering Faculty for AI-Literate, Inclusive Classrooms: Engaging Gen Z and Alpha in General Education As artificial intelligence reshapes higher education, faculty must be equipped with AI literacy to foster equitable and engaging learning environments, particularly in General Education (GE) courses that serve diverse student populations. This session explores an equity-based faculty training model that empowers instructors to integrate AI-enhanced pedagogy while addressing the unique learning preferences of Generation Z and Alpha students. Participants will examine strategies for leveraging AI to support student success, personalize learning, and enhance engagement without reinforcing systemic inequities. The session will highlight innovative, inclusive teaching practices, including human-centered AI applications, scaffolded AI ethics discussions, and assignment redesigns that promote critical thinking and authentic learning. Additionally, we will discuss practical approaches to navigating faculty concerns, building digital confidence, and ensuring that AI adoption aligns with equity and accessibility goals. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to future-proof their teaching, foster meaningful connections in online classrooms, and prepare students for an AI-driven world—while centering inclusion, well-being, and innovation. |
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Engage Like a YouTuber: Transforming Online Teaching with Video In the rapidly evolving landscape of online education, instructors must embrace creativity and innovation to foster genuine student engagement and connection. This session will provide community college faculty with practical strategies for adopting a content creator mindset to elevate their virtual teaching. Drawing from over a decade of experience as a YouTube content creator with over half a million followers, I will share affordable tools and techniques to help educators create professional-quality videos that not only enhance course content but also establish a consistent, relatable presence in the online classroom. Attendees will explore how to use tools like Ecamm Live, QuickTime Player, Canvas Studio, and smartphones to produce engaging video announcements, dynamic lessons, and interactive content. The session will address common challenges, such as overcoming discomfort on camera and building confidence when recording. By integrating innovative pedagogy with accessible technology, participants will leave with actionable strategies to improve student engagement, increase retention, and build stronger virtual connections. The session emphasizes practical solutions that can be immediately applied in an online teaching environment, making it especially valuable for faculty seeking to enhance their course design and delivery in a way that meets the needs of diverse learners. |
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Navigating AI Together: Tales from Four Colleges As generative AI impacts our experiences with online education, California Community Colleges are developing innovative approaches to support faculty and enhance student learning. This dynamic panel brings together educators from four CCCs to share their institution’s journeys in responding to the arrival of generative AI tools. Participants will explore diverse approaches to professional development, institutional policies, and pedagogical strategies that promote both innovation and equity. Through engaging discussion and concrete examples, panelists will illuminate how their colleges are building faculty capacity, addressing challenges, and making decisions about how and when to use AI to enhance student success. From rural to urban settings, from early adopters to thoughtful implementers, each institution’s story offers valuable insights into creating sustainable and inclusive approaches to AI integration in online teaching and learning. |
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Unleashed by AI: Autoethnographic Journeys of Women Teachers and Students in Online Education This panel explores the intersections of artificial intelligence (AI), equity, accessibility, and pedagogy through an autoethnographic lens. Three presenters, representing the voices of a teacher who is an experienced AI user, a teacher beginning her journey with AI, and a student starting to navigate AI tools, will share their experiences as women/of color with diverse learning abilities. Our journeys will explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in online education, specifically for diverse populations. In this panel, we will discuss how these technologies impact learning and teaching from the perspective of accessibility and inclusion, exploring both the positive aspects of AI integration and the barriers that still exist. Through narratives, the presenters will examine how AI can serve as a tool for empowerment or, alternatively, exacerbate inequities if not implemented thoughtfully. The aim is to foster an understanding of how diverse backgrounds and abilities shape the adoption and impact of AI in the online learning environment, and to consider what educators and institutions can do to ensure that AI serves all learners equitably. |
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Who’s Cheating? Rethinking “Cheating” in the Age of AI Students are absolutely using ChatGPT and other forms of artificial intelligence (AI)—but is it cheating, collaborating, or just the new calculator? Join this practical, honest roundtable discussion with fellow educators who are rethinking academic integrity, AI policy, and assignment design. We’ll share real classroom dilemmas, helpful strategies, and fresh ideas for teaching in a world where AI is already part of the student toolkit. Come with questions and/or your own suggestions. You may leave with insights you can use next week.
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Enhancing, Not Replacing: How AI Supports Human Expertise in Real-Time Captioning AI is transforming accessibility by enhancing human captioning with tools like automatic machine translation, voice dubbing, and content summarization. This session explores how AI can complement, not replace, human expertise to create more inclusive events. Through real-time demonstrations, attendees will see AI in action and learn how to integrate these tools effectively. |
| All About the Canvas Gradebook Susan Fintland, Educational Technologist, Long Beach City College In this presentation, we will explore all the different features of the Canvas Gradebook including: *Organization *Filtering and sorting tools *Viewing options *Exporting/importing grades *Grading policies *Messaging students as well as common troubleshooting issues and much more!! This presentation is designed for newer users of Canvas or for those looking for a refresher on the Gradebook features.view archive |
| Authentic Engagement in the Age of AI: Multi-Modal Tools and Techniques for Online Discussions Melinda Ung, Online Multimedia Specialist, Los Angeles Pierce College (LACCD) Wendy Mazon, Distance Education Support Specialist, Los Angeles Pierce College (LACCD) Discussion forums have long been integral to online learning, but their text-based format often lacks authenticity and depth. The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT has introduced new challenges, with polished, AI-generated responses undermining meaningful engagement. This session explores multi-modal assessment practices that foster student engagement while maintaining academic integrity. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, we’ll examine how assignments can incorporate diverse formats like video reflections, audio recordings, annotated images, and screen-sharing presentations. These approaches promote critical thinking, original thought, accessibility, and equity. Participants will collaborate in discipline-specific groups to brainstorm and adapt assessments, addressing AI-related challenges and reimagining ways students can demonstrate mastery authentically. Real-world examples, including LACCD’s use of the Harmonize discussion tool, will be showcased alongside other tools, with their pros and cons discussed.
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Elevating Engagement: Adapting Collaborative Learning Strategies for Online Student Success Discover how to bring the power of collaborative and interactive learning into online classrooms. We’ll explore practical strategies for transforming activities like the “Gallery Walk” and “Send-A-Problem” from in-person formats to effective online experiences. Whether you teach synchronously or asynchronously, this session will showcase tools and techniques to overcome common challenges, foster meaningful student collaboration, and increase engagement.
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Expanding Access to Science Education: Innovative Approaches for Quality Labs Online As demand for online science education grows, institutions must find ways to deliver rigorous, hands-on lab experiences that ensure all students—regardless of location—have access to high-quality learning. This session will explore how California Community Colleges can maintain quality in online lab courses while addressing barriers such as cost, safety, and equity. Experts from Science Interactive will share insights into how institutions are expanding access through innovative lab solutions and providing students with meaningful, hands-on experiences in online learning environments. Presenters will discuss best practices for integrating online labs, leveraging innovative techniques to enhance engagement, and adapting to student needs without compromising rigor. The session will feature real-world applications and lessons learned, attendees will gain practical strategies for developing and scaling online lab offerings while ensuring accessibility and student success. |
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Plug n’ Play POCR This session focuses on the new Plug and Play course process. In this session you will learn what Plug and Play courses are, how you can adopt a peer online course review (POCR) aligned course, and which courses are developed or in development. Come learn more about adoptable courses that will serve to assist you in creating an excellent experience for your students! |
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Promoting Active Learning Online This session is about promoting active learning online using six strategies: So how do you implement those strategies? Come to this session to find out! |
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Transforming Online Teaching with Open Educational Resources (OER) and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Tools, Strategies, and Possibilities Discover how OER, open pedagogy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can work together to transform your online teaching and how your students learn. In this session, we’ll explore innovative and freely available tools—both current and emerging—that support inclusive, engaging, and personalized learning. Whether you’re just starting with OER, considering open pedagogy, or looking to integrate AI thoughtfully into your classroom, you’ll leave with practical strategies and inspiration to reimagine your course design and captivate your students. |
