The theme of this year’s conference is “At a Crossroads: Online Education in a Complex World.”

Join your colleagues as we analyze research, problem-solve, exchange ideas, and explore effective strategies about online learning. The conference provides the opportunity for instructors and faculty members, instructional designers, student advisors, administrative leaders, and researchers to share best practices, strategic considerations, models of practice, and challenges revealed through our experiences in practice and research.

Attendees will be able to attend three days of sessions including pre-conference workshops, keynote address, plenary sessions, information sessions, featured sessions, best-in-track sessions, poster presentations, and vendor showcase sessions.

The Sloan Consortium Annual Online Learning Conference provides the opportunity for attendees to engage with one another throughout this conference sharing information and ideas. As an attendee, you and your institution will benefit from this highly interactive conference as well as become a part of the Sloan-C online learning community through membership opportunities, publications, online courses, and more.

About the Conference:

This conference, which will provide the latest information on asynchronous learning programs, processes, packages, and protocols, is geared to a range of participants from experienced professionals to interested newcomers to online learning. Participants hail from a variety of work sectors, including higher education, continuing education, business, government, health care, professional associations, and nonprofit organizations. The conference is especially designed to meet the needs of:
•College-level faculty and administrators
•Instructional technology and media professionals
•Instructional designers
•Trainers in public and private sector organizations
•Online K-12 program educators

Last year’s conference attracted 1500+ onsite and over 450 virtual participants to more than 250 presentations, as well as 60 exhibits, 40 vendor showcase sessions, 18 total pre- and post-conference workshops, keynote and plenary addresses, and a variety of other special events.

Call for Presentations: Proposals must be submitted by June 4, 2012 Our conference seeks proposals for workshops and presentations that reflect the implications for the field of specific e-learning experience and practices. Proposals that address blended learning, issues of diversity, international applications of online learning, open educational resources, social networking, online learning and community colleges, and/or K-12 online education are especially encouraged. We look to share best practices and persistent challenges in online learning as they relate to pedagogy, learning activities, instructional design and course development, faculty development and training, student services, accessible learning opportunities, academic planning and strategy, and research through the assessment and evaluation of learning. We especially encourage proposals from those in quickly-evolving institutions, such as K-12 schools and community colleges, as well as proposals that explore emerging technologies (mobile, social media, open education resources) to assist fellow educators in improving their understanding of online education in a complex world. Proposals that highlight and demonstrate research, application and effective practices are requested in the following seven tracks: • Open, Global, Mobile • Faculty and Professional Development and Support • Learning Effectiveness • Technology and Emerging Learning Environments • Student Services and Learner Support • Leadership, Values and Society • K-12 Online Education Submit proposals by June 4, 2012 at http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2012/aln/call-for-presentations Timelines: Proposals due by June 4, 2012 •Notification of acceptance by June 27, 2012 •Deadline for presenters to accept is July 11, 2012 •Presentation schedule posted to the website by July 20, 2012 •Early Bird registration deadline is August 10, 2012 •Final date for abstract edits is August 10, 2012 •Full presentation submission for conference proceedings by October 1, 2012 Registration: Deadline for presenters to register: 8/10/2012 Early bird registration deadline: 8/10/2012 Registration deadline for attendees: 10/12/2012 Register at http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2012/aln/registration