Based on the conference goals, session topics may address any of a wide range of topics related to active and engaged learning. Proposals should address methods and strategies that are used in higher and post-secondary education settings. Areas of interest include but are not limited to:

Elements of the USG Momentum Approach

University System of Georgia institutions are implementing their institutional Momentum Year plans, and are also broadening these efforts toward the Momentum Approach across the undergraduate experience. Proposals in this strand can involve elements of the Momentum Year program—from advising, to Mindset, to clear pathways, and to development of the full choice architecture that fosters student momentum. We also invite proposals that explore student success fostered by pedagogies of engagement, including High Impact Practices, interactive classroom strategies, inclusive pedagogies, Transparency in Learning and Teaching, and Brain-based Learning. 

Developing Students’ Critical Thinking Skills   

Critical thinking is the ability for students to engage in higher-order thinking skills to analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply their learning to their lives. Proposals in this strand should address active learning strategies to promote critical thinking.

Distance Learning/Blended Learning

Online and blended learning environments provide challenges and unique opportunities to create active and engaged student learning. Proposals for this strand should address tools, technologies, and strategies for creating active learning activities in online and blended learning classrooms.

Open Educational Resources

Open Educational Resources (OER) are educational materials, including open courseware and open textbooks, that are freely available and released under an open license that allows for their use, reuse, adaptation, and sharing. Proposals for this strand should address instructional approaches and strategies related to using OERs to engage students and encourage student success. This strand is sponsored by Affordable Learning Georgia.

Collaborative Models        

Proposals for this strand should address methods that promote active learning in both online and traditional classroom settings including approaches such as cooperative learning, problem-based learning, and the use of case methods and simulations to name a few.

Innovations in Instructional Technology

Technology is an essential part of teaching and learning, but keeping up with the many emerging and available technologies can be a challenge. Proposals in this strand should examine teaching methods that use innovative and emerging technologies to enhance teaching and improve student learning. Examples of innovative technology could include gamification, 3D printing applications, mobile learning, adaptive learning strategies, simulations, etc. 

Faculty Learning Communities

Evidence shows that Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) such as those of the Chancellor's Learning Scholars program increase faculty interest in teaching and learning and provide safety and support for faculty to investigate, attempt, assess, and adopt new (to them) methods. Proposals in this strand should address experiences, progress, and outcomes of FLCs.

Gateway Course Redesign

Proposals to this strand should focus on examples of specific and evidence-based pedagogies and practices faculty have used to redesign courses in the Gateways to Completion (G2C) process.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

Proposals to this strand should focus on classroom-based research, and the scholarly inquiry into understanding or improving student learning through a systematic gathering and analysis of data. 

Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP)

LEAP is an initiative of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) striving to promote a twenty-first-century liberal education for all college graduates. Proposals for this strand should address various LEAP efforts, including High Impact Practices, Essential Learning Outcomes, Principles of Excellence, and Value rubrics.