The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is pleased to announce the 2015 Annual Conference Call for Proposals. Proposals are now being accepted based on the conference theme: Distance Learning: Ignite, Innovate, Inspire! CALL FOR PROPOSALS SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday, Dec. 22, 2014 We welcome proposals from all corporate, education (higher and K-‐12), healthcare, government, and military organizations on distance learning topics related to: Distance Learning Beyond Your Borders o Developing and Maintaining Your Digital Portfolio o Collaboration Across Disciplines o Bridges Between Silos o Outreach to the World • Excellence in Distance Learning Leadership o Challenges and Successes o Government Regulations and Policies o Innovative Policy and Procedure • Innovations in K-‐12 Distance Learning o Addressing Common Core State Standards o College Readiness through Innovative Approaches • Creative Distance Learning Strategies, Technologies, and Techniques o Connecting with Social Media o Mobile Learning and Innovative Apps o Inspirational Learning Models There is also an opportunity to present your session in our virtual classroom setting, which means you will be viewed by face-‐to-‐face as well as those remote attendees. You will be able to note your interest to do this in the call for proposal link below. • 1 There are several ways to participate: • • • Concurrent information sessions provide an opportunity for you to give an interactive presentation in one or more of the conference topic areas. Conference attendees expect sessions to provide practical advice and the sharing of experiences. The committee seeks high quality, though-‐provoking and interactive sessions, not lecture format. Co-‐presenters are encouraged. The program committee may select your proposal to be featured in a panel along with other presenters. (60 minutes) Poster sessions allow presenters to prepare a standing table-‐top poster that describes a project, process, research or other activity. Presenting a poster session will give you an opportunity to meet and network with a majority of conference attendees and USDLA Award Winners as these sessions are held during the Awards Dinner Reception on Monday evening. (60 minutes) Pre-‐conference workshops are offered as a vehicle to get the conference started, set the stage for the conference theme, and discuss relevant issues in the field of distance learning. (3-‐hour sessions on Sunday, April 26th from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.) The committee recommends that proposals be specific about what will make the presentation valuable to attendees. Any proposal that is perceived to be a “sales pitch” will not be considered. Your proposal should be focused on innovative issues, working solutions, and should address the conference theme. All presenters and co-‐presenters (regardless of session type) will be expected to register for the full conference. Equipment The conference will provide a standard set up (LCD data/video projector and screen). You will need to provide your own laptop computer. If you require Internet access for your session, please stat that clearly in your proposal. Please note that we are unable to provide audio resources (house sound or speakers) for concurrent and/or poster sessions. Preparing Your Proposal All conference proposals should be submitted using the USDLA Online Submission Form. For your information, the automated proposal submission system will ask you for the following information: 1. Contact Information -‐ the name and full contact information for the lead presenter and any co-‐ presenters. 2. Session Title -‐ a succinct, but descriptive title of no more than ten words 3. Format -‐ concurrent, poster, or pre-‐conference workshop 2 4. Abstract -‐ 50-‐words (or less) description of the session. Please note: the session abstract will be used in the printed program. Make sure it accurately reflects your session since it will be what draws people to you. 5. Content -‐ a clear summary of learning objectives and session content in 300-‐500 words 6. Conference Topic(s) -‐ session can cover more than one topic 7. Audience Focus by Constituency -‐ USDLA serves multiple constituencies, including K-‐12, higher education, corporate, government, military, telehealth, and international. Please tell us who would benefit from your session (may be more than one group; strongly encouraged). 8. Internet -‐ a standard setup of projector and screen is available. If you need Internet access for your session, you must include that information in your proposal. We cannot accommodate a request made during the conference. If you need sound please bring your own speakers. 9. Virtual Session/Live Feed -‐ indicate if you would like to be considered as a virtual presenter with live feed from St. Louis. Review Criteria Conference participants will expect well-‐delivered presentations containing quality information that is of practical value to their day-‐to-‐day professional lives. Members of the USDLA 2015 Conference Program Committee will review each proposal. Reviewers will look for clear descriptions. Considerable weight will be given to proposals that specify session learning objectives and clearly describe why the content will be valuable to attendees. Specifically, reviewers will look for the following: • • • • Relevance to the conference theme, Distance Learning: Ignite, Innovate, Inspire! Quality of the presentation: substance, clarity, organization, interactivity Evidence of innovation and effective practice Audience appeal and opportunity for discussion Status of Proposal and Notification The 2015 Program Committee will review proposals and you will be contacted about the status of your proposal by February 6, 2015. If your proposal is accepted, the lead presenter will receive an email containing information relevant to your presentation. Lead presenters are responsible for forwarding all information to their co-‐presenters. Presenters are eligible for the Early Bird registration rate (even after the close of Early Bird registration). USDLA Online Submission Form 3