12th Annual Conference on Excellence in Teaching & Learning
Creating Inclusive Connections
May 3, 2018
4-H Center, The Ohio State University
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THE PROPOSAL DEADLINE WAS JANUARY 22, 2018.
The purpose of the conference is to provide a venue for members of The Ohio State University community to share innovative, interesting, evidence-based ideas for the improvement of teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes. Last year, we were pleased to host over 190 attendees from a variety of departments, our largest attendance yet. We look forward to continuing to host this robust interdisciplinary exchange of pedagogical theory and classroom practice in 2018.
Topics and Categories for Proposals
We invite proposals for presentations on any topics related to enhancing the quality and effectiveness of university teaching and student learning. Proposals may be interdisciplinary or specific to one or a group of disciplines. This year’s conference theme is Creating Inclusive Connections.
Presentation Formats for Sessions
You may select one of two formats for your presentation:
- A 50-minute individual session, in which you engage the participants in an interactive discussion about your topic. We expect that session presenters will also exemplify excellent teaching through the instructional methods used during the session.
- Lightning Round Teaching Tip presentation is a fast-paced, dynamic session in which participants can get new ideas to use in their classrooms right away. Presenters can share teaching tips, assessment ideas, a class activity – anything that you do that makes for a great “nugget” of knowledge for your fellow teachers. Each speaker will have a maximum of 8 minutes to present, and should provide one handout. This structure is similar to pecha kucha or Innovate’s Faculty Showcase. You can see an example of the Innovate presentations here.
Proposal Guidelines
The format for the proposal is as follows. This is all delineated in the online submission form.
50 Minute Individual Session:
- Session Title
- Presenters: Name(s), Academic Unit(s), and Email Address(es)
- Specific learning outcomes for the session (i.e., “Participants will…”)
- Abstract: Summarize the purpose/value and content of your session as well as any evidence (scholarship, assessments) to support your claims. Also, briefly address how your session connects to the theme of the conference. The abstract will serve as the description used to help participants decide which sessions to attend and should be worded as such. Limit: 200 words.
If your Individual Session proposal is accepted, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- Identify at least one teaching method you will demonstrate during your session.
- Describe the agenda of your session. Inclusion of an approximate timeline is encouraged.
Lightning Round Teaching Tip Presentation:
- Lightning Round Title
- Presenter: Name, Academic Unit, Email Address
- Primary learning objective for your Lightning Round
- Abstract: Briefly describe what you will do in your presentation. Include the context in which you have used this activity or tip and any evidence (scholarship, assessments) to support your claims. Also, briefly address how your proposal connects with the theme of the conference. Limit: 100 words
Proposal Submission
All proposals must be submitted online using this form. Please read proposal guidelines and submission information carefully in order to avoid delays and to give proposals the best opportunity for acceptance.
All proposals will go through a blind, peer-reviewed process by the Academy of Teaching Executive Council.
Preference will be given to proposals that address the theme of the conference, Creating Inclusive Connections. There are many ways that we cross geographic, interpersonal, disciplinary, technological, instructional, societal, and many other boundaries to connect our students with ourselves, one another, and our subject matter. Some examples of ways you might create inclusive connections through your teaching include:
- Creating safe and welcoming classroom environments
- Helping students engage with matters of inclusivity, diversity, and social justice
- Using Universal Design for Learning to accommodate all students
- Teaching across and between disciplines
- The purpose and execution of General Education, particularly in light of the emphasis in the Draft Revision to the General Education Requirements
- on “Citizenship for a Diverse and Just World”
- Teaching through change and conflict
- Teaching across borders/boundaries
- Different types of classrooms (education abroad, distance education)
Important Dates and Deadlines
| 12/1/2017 | Submission of proposals period opens |
| 1/22/2018 | Submission of proposals period ends |
| 2/15/2018 | Proposal decision notifications sent out (approximate) |
| 3/7/2018 | Deadline for presenters to confirm participation and submit finalized abstracts for the conference program and Academy of Teaching website |
| 5/3/2018 | Conference takes place |
Evaluation of Proposals
Each proposal will be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers who will recommend one of three options:
- Acceptance of the proposal
- Revision of the proposal
- Proposal is not accepted
Reviewers will also provide comments for improvement, suggestions for recommended revisions, or why proposals might not be accepted. Comments will be given to the individual who submitted the proposal.
Reviewers will examine and evaluate proposals in the following areas:
- Clear connection between the title of the session and its content (titles should be less than 10 words, compelling enough to attract an interdisciplinary audience, and align with session content)
- Significance and relevance of the theme for this conference
- Clarity and value of the outcomes for the session
Acceptance of Proposals
Decisions on the acceptance status of a proposal for presentation at the Academy of Teaching Conference on Excellence in Teaching and Learning will be communicated to the primary presenter via e-mail on or around February 15, 2018.
Presenters of accepted proposals must confirm their attendance to the conference organizer by March 7, 2018.
Presenters are asked to fully participate in the entire conference and attend sessions and events as much as their schedules allow.
Important reminders:
- If your proposal does not meet the submission requirements stated above, we cannot accept it. Please follow the instructions carefully!
- Your proposed session should be conducive to dialogue and audience engagement.
- If accepted, your abstract will be posted on the Academy of Teaching website. Please remember to word your abstract accordingly.
The deadline has now passed.