Call For Papers

Introduction

The diversity in today's student body is unprecedented and technology is rapidly changing ways of work and life. The press for change requires that we think more deeply about who we are, what we do now, and how we perceive ourselves functioning in the future - that is, the mission and gaols of Ohio University. How can curricula, pedagogies, and programs change to better satisfy the needs of present and future generations? How do students interact with their teachers in meaningful ways? How is Ohio University positively influencing student engagement? In a nutshell, how do we move from paperwork to pedagogy?

Now in its second year, Spotlight on Learning seeks to provide answers to these tough questions. This two-day event will explore the ongoing quest for effective ways to assess learning outcomes, academic quality and institutional effectiveness. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about classroom research projects in all stages of development from outstanding Ohio University scholars. Involving all ranks and disciplines, Spotlight on Learning seeks to bridge the gap between disciplinary scholarship and instruction and foster collegiality across disciplines based on the common pursuit of teaching.

In particular, we seek presentations that address these areas, including but not limited to:

• Innovation: Proposes innovation of theory, approach, or process of teaching; provides original and creative ideas based on results of research by self or others; and outlines proposed strategy for testing effectiveness of ideas.

• Inspiration: Provides inspiration for teaching excellence; combines personal values, insight, and experience to communicate enthusiasm and dedication to outstanding teaching.

• Research: Reports results from own experience or research; describes problem clearly, explains what researcher has done and why; and provides applications.

Session Tracks

Drawing upon the theme of "Expanding Student-Centered Learning," Spotlight on Learning will follow two general session tracks:

• Scholarship of Teaching  (Includes topics related to Pedagogical Research and Reflective Practices in the Classroom)

• Curriculum Development (Includes topics related to Critical Thinking, Transforming Teaching through Technology, and Learning-centered Classrooms/Communities)

Session formats

Proposals will be blind-reviewed and should be submitted for presentation in one of the following formats.

• Poster sessions (be at your booth for 30 minutes blocks)
  Informal, drop-in poster sessions will be held on Thursday throughout the day and Friday morning, allowing conferees to present research/project results or works-in-progress and obtain comments and questions to enhance the research as well as allow scholars with similar research interests to interact in a collegial format.

• Concurrent sessions (50-60 minutes)
  These are more formal than poster sessions and usually include an opportunity for audience participation. You may present by yourself or split the session with another presenter.

• Discussion Groups/Roundtables (60 minutes)
  Share research or ideas for future research on a variety of proposed topics of interest in order to generate discussion and feedback in any of the listed or related areas of education.
  • Critical Thinking

  • Reflective Practices in the Classroom

  • Transforming Teaching through Technology

  • Learning-centered Pedagogies

  • Curriculum Development

  • Service learning

  • Active-collaborative learning

  • Assessment

Guidelines for Proposals

Faculty members, administrators, staff members, and students may submit proposals for review or propose colleagues as speakers.

NOTE: This year the review process is blind, meaning that reviewers should not be able to infer the identities of the authors of the papers that they are reviewing. Author names and affiliations must not appear on the normal "page 1" of submitted papers, but should appear instead on a separate cover page to be removed for the review process. Authors should also be careful to avoid identifying information in headers, footers, etc., and should delete their names from citations to papers that were obviously written by the same authors. Of course no such "anonymizing" process is foolproof, but authors are encouraged to do their best to insure the integrity of the blind review process. Note that Spotlight on Learning will not be able to remove names/affiliations after papers are submitted; this is the responsibility of the authors. Submissions that have not been prepared for blind review may be returned to the author for correction.

Materials to be submitted by all presenters

• A 250-300 word abstract of the presentation. This should include title, author(s) names, department or office location. It should clearly express purpose or objective, experience or process developed, importance of results or expected outcome, teaching methods or classroom application.

• Title page. Each submission should include a separate title page, including

  a. title of the submission,
  b. session track (see above list),
  c. two or three keywords that describe the submission,
  d. name(s) of the author(s),
  e. mailing address(es),
  f. e-mail address(es),
  g. phone number(s)

Proposals should be submitted via e-mail to learning@www.ohiou.edu by Friday, November 15, 2002.

Submissions will be acknowledged within 2 business days. Correspondence regarding receipt of submission will be made by e-mail unless otherwise requested. Notification of acceptance will be mailed as soon as the reviewing process is completed. All presenters will be automatically registered. To suggest additional speakers or topics, please e-mail Barbara Reeves at reevesb@ohio.edu. We hope that Spotlight on Learning will empower students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community leaders to meet the changing times. We look forward to your contribution as a conference presenter, panelist, or participant.

Anita Leach and Dick Piccard revised this page (http://www.ohiou.edu/learningfair/2003/callforpapers.html) on January 29, 2003.

Please E-mail comments or questions to learning@www.ohiou.edu.