2026 – Call for Proposals

Meeting Students Where They Are: Technology & Modern Learning

How can we leverage technology to enhance rather than hinder authentic engagement? This track explores practical applications of educational technology including Canvas, Vevox, AI, social media, mobile learning, and digital tools that improve student participation and learning outcomes. 

Example session topics: 

• Engaging students through interactive polling and real-time response systems 
• Designing mobile-friendly assignments that work anywhere 
• Canvas strategies that build classroom community 
• AI as a teaching assistant: practical applications for personalized feedback 

Data-Driven Engagement: Using Analytics for Student Success

Transform your approach to engagement using university data, learning analytics, and evidence-based interventions. Learn how to identify students in need of supports early and create targeted strategies to improve both participation and retention. 

Example session topics: 

• Early warning systems: identifying disengagement before it’s too late 
• Using Canvas or Navigate 360 analytics to understand student behavior patterns 
• Creating feedback loops that drive continuous engagement improvement 
• Personalizing learning pathways based on student data 

Building Belonging: Community & Connection in Higher Ed

Explore strategies for creating inclusive, connected learning communities where every student feels valued and engaged. Focus on relationship-building, cultural responsiveness, and fostering peer connections. 

Example session topics: 

• Creating psychological safety in large lecture halls 
• Peer mentoring and collaborative learning structures 
• Engaging first-generation and non-traditional students 
• Building cultural bridges in diverse classrooms 

Digital Accessibility & Universal Design

With the April 2026 federal accessibility deadline approaching, this track provides essential training on creating accessible, engaging content that works for all learners while meeting legal compliance requirements.

Example session topics:

• WCAG 2.1 AA compliance: practical steps for faculty
• Document remediation workshops (PDFs, Word, PowerPoint)
• Creating accessible videos with captions and transcripts
• Universal design principles that enhance engagement for everyone

Presentation or Panel – 45-minutes

Presentation or panel sessions are 45-minute sessions designed for 1-3 colleagues or a facilitated panel to share a class, department, or curricular strategy that advances student learning. The session should: 

• Describe the teaching and learning or college/department level strategy 
• Provide a rationale on what was done and why. 
• Explain how the strategy impacted student learning, what worked well, and future strategy enhancements. 
• Provide ways the strategy is broadly applicable in other courses, disciplines, and programs. 
• Plan for at least 15-20 minutes of the session to include interactive elements (e.g., chat, audio, polls) that engage attendees. This might include engaging the attendees using the strategy, discussing ways to apply the strategy in their own teaching, or soliciting extensions/applications of the strategy. 
• Facilitated Panel Discussions should involve a facilitator posing a series of questions on a pertinent teaching topic (at course, department, program, or college levels) to 3-6 panelists from different disciplines, programs, course formats, course sizes, and/or student populations. 

Micro Presentation – 10 minutes each (3 per 45-minute session)  

Micro Presentations are succinct 10-minute presentations that share a specific teaching technique, assignment, or practice that can be adapted to a variety of class topics and types. These sessions are designed to give attendees ideas for teaching in simple, concise, small bites to inspire new practices or practice adaptations. Three Micro Presentation proposals will be clustered together into one Micro Presentation slot. Presenters should prepare a 10-minute presentation and attendees will have 15-minutes for question-and-answer at the end for all three presenters.