CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Proposal Decisions Have Been Sent

black with gradient_logo.png

The 2021 Open Education Conference is inviting proposals for live and pre-recorded virtual sessions to be held on October 18-22. Proposals are enthusiastically welcomed from everyone with an interest in sharing about open education, especially from students. This document outlines the conference theme, topics, session types, and guidelines, and we ask that all presenters read it carefully before submitting a proposal. Download a template of the submission form. Watch video tutorial.

The call for proposals for 2021 is closed. Proposal notifications were delivered on August 1st.

Theme

The theme of the 2021 Open Education Conference is “Making Open for All.” This theme puts action for equity and inclusion at the center of this year’s event, building on last year’s focus on reimagining open education as a solution to urgent challenges.

The idea of “all” has always been at the heart of open education. Openness is about enabling everyone, everywhere to participate in sharing knowledge, recognizing that education is a universal human right. There are many ways that open education has succeeded at breaking down barriers and expanding participation, yet there is much work ahead to reach the ideal of all.

“Making Open for All” is not a destination. It is a process that involves ongoing, intentional action to build resources, practices, and systems that are open for all people, languages, cultures, and contexts. It also involves understanding the limits to openness, such as its intersections with privacy and Indigenous knowledge. This year’s conference seeks to inspire the open education field to work together toward a more equitable and inclusive future.

TOPICS

Expanding on the theme “Making Open for All,” the conference invites session proposals that relate to ten program topics derived from input on what community members most want to learn at the conference. The topics are intended to apply broadly across various contexts, stakeholders, and practices, spanning students, higher education, K-12, and international collaboration. Since many topics overlap, applicants may select up to three topics that reflect the nature of their presentation. The ten program topics are:

  • Open Education 101: The Basics and How to Get Started

  • The Meaning of “All”: Examinations of Equity, Anti-Racism, Indigenization, Decolonization, and Social Justice

  • Ethical Education: Issues of Agency, Labor, Privacy, and Consent

  • Designing for Inclusion and Accessibility: How to Build and Create for All 

  • Exchanging Knowledge Across Borders: Open Education Around the World

  • Teaching and Learning Through Open: Open Pedagogy and Practices

  • Open Education in K-12: Approaches in Primary and Secondary Education

  • Understanding Open: Sharing Case Studies and Contributing to the Body of Literature

  • Building and Sustaining a Culture of Open: Strategies, Policies, Best Practices, and Advocacy

  • The Joy of Open: Celebrating Community, Care, and Collaboration

Session Types

Lightning Talk

Pre-Recorded Video With Live Viewing • 10 min 

Lightning talks are short pre-recorded videos that were a popular part of last year’s program. Lightning talks will be available for on-demand viewing throughout the conference and each will also be streamed live at a specific time with simultaneous chat.

25 MIN Presentation

Pre-Recorded Video With Live Viewing • 25 min 

Pre-recorded 25-minute presentations are created and submitted in advance. The presentation video will be published for on-demand viewing throughout the conference and will also be streamed live at a specific time. Presenters can join via simultaneous chat to answer questions during and after the video.

40 min Presentation

Live Session (Will Be Recorded) • 40 min

Live presentations are 40 minutes and delivered during the conference with a live audience. Proposals should address how the session will engage participants, and least 5 of the 40 minutes should be reserved for questions. A maximum of 4 presenters is recommended.

Discussion

Live Session (Not Recorded) • 40 min

Discussion sessions provide space to engage participants in an exchange of ideas or experiences during the conference. Up to 10 minutes may be used to frame the session, and the remaining time should be interactive. Proposals should address how the session will be facilitated.

Panel

Live Session (Will Be Recorded) • 55 min

Panels engage multiple speakers in a discussion about a common theme. Panel topics should be broader than presentations, and each panelist should offer a unique perspective. At least 10 of the 55 minutes should be reserved for audience questions. A maximum of 4-6 panelists is recommended.

Open Space

Specify Proposed Format and Length

The Open Space format is an opportunity to propose activities or session types that do not fit within the categories above. Proposals should clearly specify a vision for the session, including the proposed length (10, 25, 40 or 55 min) and a plan for facilitation. 

VIDEO TUTORIAL

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Proposals are submitted through the EasyChair platform, which requires the creation of a free account. Proposals are enthusiastically welcomed from anyone with an interest in sharing about open education, including all countries, educational contexts, and professional roles. Students are especially encouraged to submit proposals. Download a template of the submission form.

Timeline

  • June 21, 2021: Submission Deadline - CLOSED

  • August 1, 2021: Acceptance Notifications

  • August 30, 2021: Program Published

  • September 24, 2021: Pre-Record Deadline (Tentative)

  • October 18-22, 2021: Conference

REQUIREMENTS

  • Abstract Requirements: Proposal abstracts will be used as the public description of the session in the conference program. Abstracts should be 400 words or less and written in English. In-text citations are not required. 

  • Primary Contact: The person who submits the proposal is the primary contact and is responsible for all communications and coordination on behalf of all co-presenters. Note that the creation of a free EasyChair account is required in order to submit a proposal.

  • Submission Limit: Each individual may be listed as a presenter or author on a maximum of 3 proposals.

  • Technology: All sessions will be held via Zoom. Live session types will have presenter screen sharing, live chat, and automatic captions. Pre-recorded session types will be scheduled for a live viewing in Zoom with live chat. All videos will be captioned. Breakout rooms are available upon request for Discussion and Open Space session types only.

  • Scheduling: The conference is based in North American time zones and welcomes worldwide participation. Accepted presentations with large time differences will be prioritized in the scheduling process.

Selection Process

Proposal selection will be conducted through a community-driven process. The first round of reviews will be conducted by Proposal Reviewers, who signed up in an open call for volunteers. Members of the #OpenEd21 Program Committee will then review the results and make final decisions based on the available time slots. Presenters will receive a decision on their proposal by July 31. Please avoid mentioning your name, institution, or organization in the proposals in order to shield your identity and limit conflict of interest in reviews.

Review Criteria

  • Relevance of Topic: Proposal relates to the use, practice, creation, evaluation, research, advocacy, or critique of open education and at least one conference topic. Stronger proposals will be more timely, original, and/or show especially strong alignment with the conference topic(s) and overall theme.

  • Value to Attendees: Proposal specifies learning outcomes that will meaningfully contribute to attendees’ understanding of open education. Learning outcomes are achievable through the session described. (Note: Proposals that discuss the use of a proprietary product or service must have learning outcomes that are applicable outside the context of that product or service.)

  • Quality of Proposal: Abstract clearly and succinctly communicates to prospective attendees what the session will cover. Description aligns with the proposed session type, and responses provide sufficient information to evaluate the proposal’s relevance and value to attendees.

  • Diversity: Extra consideration will be given to proposals that support or include diverse perspectives. Diversity encompasses many dimensions such as racial identities, ethnic identities, Indigenous peoples, languages, geographic locations, ages, persons with disabilities, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and lived experiences.

Acceptance Requirements

  • Registration: If accepted, the primary contact is expected to register for the conference, but may request a cost waiver/scholarship at the time of acceptance (especially students, those located outside of North America, and others for whom cost would be a barrier). Co-presenters are not required to register in order to present.

  • Licensing: All accepted presenters will be required to sign a speaker agreement prior to the session, including a release to publish any session recordings and pre-recorded videos under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.

  • Accessibility and Training: Accepted presenters will be required to review a series of short videos and logistical information in order to prepare for the conference. This will include information on how to design inclusive and accessible presentations. Support will also be available for pre-recorded session types, including information on recording and editing videos.

  • Code of Conduct: All participants in the conference, including presenters, are subject to the conference’s code of conduct.

Attribution 

This work by Open Education Conference is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The development of this Call for Proposals was led by the #OpenEd21 Program Committee and reflects many layers of input from the community. The theme “Making Open for All” and ten topics were developed based on feedback submitted through the monthly community meetings hosted by the Steering Committee in March and April. The wording and structure of the document were reviewed by the DEI Committee and Communications Committee, building on the strong foundation built from scratch by the #OpenEd20 Program Committee last year. Updates to the session types, selection criteria, and submission guidelines are the result of valuable feedback from last year’s conference. Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute.

The conference team would also like to acknowledge the organizers of OER20 and OER21, from whom we continue to draw inspiration, best practices, and great ideas including the “Open Space” session type.