Programs and Tracks

Recognizing long-standing patterns of inequity in student learning outcomes, it is essential for faculty, staff and administrators to intentionally reassess practices, policies, and initiatives to promote success for all students.This track addresses meaningful transformations in creating more equitable learning environments across all modes of teaching and learning.

• How can alternative assessments, authentic assessment, ungrading, and other non-traditional assessment strategies promote a more equitable measure of learning?
• How do flexible policies influence student learning outcomes and learning environment?
• What does culturally-responsive teaching look like in action?
• How can institutions more effectively support students who are less prepared for academic success post-COVID?
• What UDL and humanizing pedagogies in course design are proven to improve student learning outcomes?
• How can educational technology (and associated policies) be implemented in a manner that is fair and equitable across diverse student needs?

This track addresses innovations in creating more equitable learning environments across all modes of teaching and learning.

The pandemic spurred increased educational technology use as well as rapid innovations in technology tools to support teaching, learning, engagement, and connection. This track covers the impact of integrating technology in both the digital and physical classrooms as well as policies, practices, and ethical considerations to guide meaningful and effective technology use.

• How can new technology tools be integrated to add value to high quality instruction?
• How are common technology tools being used in innovative ways?
• How can institutions create policies and structures that are responsive to continuous changes in educational technology?
• In what ways are immersive technologies and AI changing higher education?
• What ethical considerations need to be addressed when integrating educational technology?
• How do faculty ensure digital equity for all students when adopting educational technology?

This track covers the impact of technology integration in both the digital and physical classrooms as well as policies, practices, and ethical considerations to guide meaningful and effective technology use.

This track highlights meaningful faculty development opportunities for fostering the ever-evolving nature of higher education teaching. Institutions need to be intentional in providing effective, meaningful faculty development opportunities. as well as supporting changing faculty needs.

• How can faculty development initiatives be designed and conducted to promote a greater impact on the student learning experience?
• How are resources such as digital libraries, non-traditional assessments, OERs, etc. used to foster effective and efficient teaching?
• How can we support faculty with the design and implementation of high quality courses in all modalities?
• What does culturally-responsive teaching look like in action?
• How does the implementation of adaptive and interactive content shift the faculty role?
• How can institutions effectively support faculty wellness, mental health and work/life balance?

This track highlights innovative faculty development initiatives, forward-focused policies and strategies to holistically support faculty wellness.

The distinction between face-to-face and online teaching and learning environments is becoming increasingly blurred. The future of higher education will not only need to address changes in learning environments but redefine the ‘new normal’ for colleges and universities.

• What does effective teaching and learning look like in a blended/hybrid or Hyflex model?
• How do we humanize the teaching and learning experience in an increasingly digitized teaching and learning environment?
• How are institutions taking unconventional approaches to address shifting trends and pressures (social, political, economics, etc) in higher education?
• How can institutions embrace and support next-generation credentials (including microcredentials, badging, comprehensive learner records, digital badging, etc)?
• How do we address equity across different learning environments and how has this differentially impacted different groups of learners?
• What are innovative strategies for fostering external partnerships that promote student learning

This track addresses the impact of post-pandemic shifts that have changed learning environments, credentialing expectations, and the realities (economic, political, and social) faced by institutions in our current era.

The disruptions spurred by the pandemic have fundamentally changed higher education and highlight the need for institutions to holistically address the cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial needs of students to foster their academic success.

• How do we effectively prepare students for a digital future?
• How is UDL applied to remove or minimize barriers to learning and promote access and accessibility of learning?
• How can teaching and learning be adapted to more effectively address the needs of non-traditional students?
• How can education be adapted to promote career success beyond graduation?
• How can teaching and learning be adapted to encourage student agency?
• How can data analytics be utilized to support student success?

This track examines instructional practices, institutional initiatives, and strategies to more effectively advance student support and success.