CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Strands for Proposal Submission
You may submit one or more proposals, but, for each submission, please choose from the following strands:
STRAND I: Challenge and Innovation in Today’s Rapidly Changing World of Higher Education
We invite you to submit proposals for sessions that will increase our understanding of the various ways you and your colleagues are experiencing and addressing challenging issues in teaching and learning. Proposals may address the following topics but need not be limited to them.
- Using technology to stimulate active and interactive learning (e.g. hybrid courses; flipped classrooms)
- Developing programs that support diverse populations (e.g. International, Learning Disabilities)
- Explicitly teaching and assessing the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Addressing the “gap” between the learning styles of today’s students and faculty goals
- Creating and implementing quality standards for online courses
- Confronting the issues of teaching and learning on-line
STRAND II: Exploring the Power and Possibilities of SoTL in the Future of Higher Education
We invite you to submit proposals that increase our understanding of what is quality SoTL work, the ways in which SoTL can contribute to faculty development, student learning, and institutional assessment, and what is needed in the way of institutional leadership and policy to grow and sustain SoTL work throughout the campus. For example, proposals may focus on:
- SoTL studies focusing on inquiry into teaching practices and student learning in classrooms or programs
- Methods of assessing the impact of SoTL work on faculty development and student learning
- Criteria for judging the quality of SoTL projects and the acceptance of SoTL work in promotion and tenure reviews
- Challenges in shifting from research in one’s discipline to research on one’s pedagogy
- Closing the gap between institutional assessment practices and classroom and program assessment through SoTL
- Integration of SoTL into academic culture/the issue of institutionalization
STRAND III: The Role of Student Voice, Participation, and Leadership in the Future of Higher Education
We invite you to submit proposals that increase our understanding of the various ways in which students can play an active role in their own education. We are especially interested in proposals that include students as participants in the session as well as presentations that address the ideas of giving voice to students, treating students as the subjects rather than the objects of their education, and successful strategies for student/faculty collaboration. For example, proposals might explore experiences that involve:
- Students as co-researchers in SoTL projects
- Students as peer mentors and faculty consultants
- Students working collaboratively with faculty on curriculum and instruction
- Students as teachers
- Team-based learning
Formats for Conference Presentations
You may submit one or more proposals, but, for each submission, please choose from one of the following two formats:
All-Conference Interactive Poster Sessions (Friday): This session is designed for presenters who can display their projects or research in a visual way and will benefit from questions and informal discussion regarding their work. Presenters are encouraged to use this venue to show works in progress as well as completed projects. They should plan a brief presentation to describe the issues or findings on the poster but also be prepared to engage spontaneously with their audience.
One Hour Research, Seminar, or Panel Presentation Sessions (Friday or Saturday): These sessions are designed for presenters whose wish to have time for both an in-depth exploration of their topic and discussion with their audience. Presenters should speak for a maximum of 40 minutes and then devote a minimum of 20 minutes to discussion or other type of interaction with the audience. Questions from participants should come first, but presenters should also be prepared to pose their own provocative questions.
Criteria for Acceptance of Proposals
As you prepare your proposals, we urge you to think about and specifically address these categories and questions, as appropriate for your type of submission.
I. Question and Rationale: (25%) What important questions or issues does your proposal raise for the conference themes or the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning? Why do you think these questions or issues are important? How do you demonstrate an understanding of the existing scholarship on the current educational or SOTL issues you address?
II. Theory/Methods: (25%) What theories/methods/frameworks/ or models are you using to examine your question/issue, and why are they appropriate for your particular question/issue?
III. Outcomes: (25%) What evidence, findings, or conclusions do you have (or will you have) to share as a result of your research or issue analysis? How does your work contribute to the understanding or practice of SoTL or innovative solutions to challenging issues?
IV. Reflective Critique: (15 %) What questions (critique) or reflections do you raise about your work?
IV. Audience Participation: (10%) What is your plan for actively engaging the audience? throughout your session?
Important Dates:
- Deadline for Submission of Proposals: June 15
- Notification of Proposal Decisions: July 16
- Deadline for Submitters of Accepted Proposals to indicate intent to attend: August 10
- Deadline for Early Registration: August 15 ($50.00 late fee will be added after this date)
Submission Information/Requirements:
Presenters must submit both a proposal (not a completed paper), an abstract for the program, and contact information.
Length of Proposal: Up to 1,000 words, excluding references.
Length of Abstract: Up to 100 words (for inclusion in conference program).
Contact Information:
We need the phone number and email address of lead presenter and all co-presenters. If contact information changes, please notify us at once. We will notify by e-mail, presenters or co-presenters as to the acceptance or rejection of the proposal. All presenters (including co-presenters) whose proposals are accepted are expected to register for and participate in the entire conference and should be available to present at any session time during the conference.
Registration and Conference Fees:
Registration for the conference will be open by the end of April. We will send out an email notice announcing the exact date and that information will also posted on the Finch Center for Teaching and Learning Website (www.maryville.edu/ctl).
Registration Fees:
- Early Registration (by August 15) for Individuals: ($300.00, same as last year)
- Registration for Groups of 4 or more from the same institution: ($225.00 same as last year)
- Registration Fee for Students: $80.00 (same as last year)
- Late Registration Fee (after August 30): $50.00
Registration Fee includes:
- Friday Breakfast, Lunch, and Late Afternoon Reception
- Saturday Breakfast and Box Lunch
- All conference materials
- Snacks throughout the conference
To submit your proposal: http://blogs.maryville.edu/sotl/submissions/
If you have questions concerning the proposal process or the conference, please direct your questions to the following email address: musotl@maryville.edu
We sincerely hope that you will submit one or more proposals and plan to join us on September 20-21, 2013 for a weekend of new perspectives, stimulating conversation, and exciting approaches to take back to your classroom, program, or institution.
Marilyn M. Cohn, Director, Finch Center for Teaching and Learning
2013 Conference Coordinator; SoTL Facilitator
Maryville University
