CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Proposal Process
Description of Session Types
Description of Themes
Proposal Timeline
Proposal Selection Criteria
Presenter Benefits

CITES Educational Technologies and the Illinois Online Network at University of Illinois would like to invite you to present a forum session, hands-on workshop, or showcase presentation at our next annual conference. At FSI 2006, you can share your knowledge and expertise with colleagues from across the state, this summer in Champaign, Illinois.

Proposal Process

• Step 1. Login to MyFSI (Creation of a MyFSI Account is required)
• Step 2. Choose your Session Type
• Step 3. Choose your Themes
• Step 4. Compile the following information before submitting your proposal
• Title (10 words or less)
• Description (75 words or less)
• Target Audience Level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
• Prerequisite Skills of participants
• Session Type (See Below)
• Step 5. Click "Create New Proposal" on your MyFSI page

Proposals due by March 24, 2006

Session Types

Forums

Forums are 75 minute breakout sessions that form the core of conference offerings. Most feature a successful practice, program, or key issue related to online teaching and learning, or a demonstration of a technological or pedagogical approach. Conference attendees expect forums to provide practical advice about innovative courses, techniques, or research. Forums are intended for an audience of approximately 30-60 people, and a maximum of three speakers per Forum is recommended. Presenters are expected to use active learning techniques to engage audiences, to distribute materials, and to respond to follow-up requests for more information. Lecture-only presentations are strongly discouraged.

Hands-on Workshops

Hands-0n Workshops are sessions conducted in computer labs and offered to audiences of 15 to 30. One-part workshops are 75 minutes; Two-part workshops are 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) and take place during Concurrent Sessions I and Concurrent Sessions II (see Agenda). The workshops are expected to center on hands-on exercises and learning activities. As a presenter, you are expected to facilitate a well-planned, interactive, and meaningful workshop for participants and provide handouts and other support materials, or Web resources. Proposals addressing the needs of beginning and intermediate practitioners are especially encouraged. Topics of particular interest for 2006 include emerging technologies, software skills, and course content creation. Lecture-only presentations are strongly discouraged.

Showcase Sessions

Showcase Session presentations take the form of an exhibit and are delivered primarily through the use of graphs, diagrams, pictures, data, and narrative text on bulletin boards. Presenters must arrange for their own display materials. During their assigned time periods, participants informally discuss their presentations with conference attendees by making brief remarks, sharing information, and answering questions about the presentation topic. Conference participants are free to move from one presentation to another during the Poster Session. Presenters are encouraged to have ample handout materials available for participants. The conference will provide a table and two chairs for each accepted Poster Session presentation.

Themes

Getting Started

Possible topics include:

• Introduction to Online Teaching
• Tips Teaching Online
• Best Practices for First-Time Online Instructors

Focus on Teaching & Learning

Possible topics include:

• From Onground to Online: Making the Transition
• Time Management Teaching Online
• Using technology to promote interactivity in asynchronous learning
• Technology and student learning
• Active Learning in Online Courses
• Learning Anytime, Anywhere

Instructional Design & Course Development

Possible topics include:

• Instructional design standards
• Curriculum design/redesign
• Using technology to support the acquisition of higher-order skills by students
• Building instructional communities on the Web
• Creating multimedia content for online courses
• Copyright Issues

Innovative Technologies

This theme will focus on new technologies and how they might enhance learning.

Possible topics include:

• Handheld computing appliances
• Open Source Software
• Blogging in the classroom
• Wikis in Online Education
• Delivering live, synchronous content

Assessment & Evaluation

Possible topics include: Using technology for assessment and evaluation

• Pre- and post-assessment
• Rubrics in Online Courses
• ePortfolios

Student Services & Support

Possible topics include:

• Student Orientations
• Counseling
• Tutoring

Faculty Development and Training

Possible topics include:

• Training Teachers to Develop and Manage Online Courses
• Planning for Faculty Development: Integrating Instruction with Technology
• Determining Faculty Needs for Instructional Technologies and Support
• Faculty Incentives and Rewards

Proposal Timeline

• Proposals due by March 24, 2006
• Notification of acceptance by March 31, 2006

Proposal Selection Criteria

Relevance and importance of the topic to using Web-based technologies to improve teaching and learning, course design and development, and student services, institutional management, and partnerships and workforce development

Engagement of participants in active learning opportunities that allow participants to reflect or share how they will use the information presented (lecture-only presentations are strongly discouraged)

Significance and magnitude of learning outcomes expected from the presentation

Originality of the program, concept, and application, or demonstration of promising new strategies

Overall standing among similar proposals

Presenter Benefits

• Contribute to the field of distance education
• Receive professional recognition at the conference
• Obtain valuable feedback from experienced colleagues
• $150 Honorarium per presentation