Conferences!

 

With things returning to pre-pandemic normalcy more and more, you may have taken some time to think about PD again. Although you may find an amazing conference in a location you’d love to visit, location should not be something you look for when making your initial list (though you may need to eliminate some amazing conferences if they’re too far away and will be too expensive to attend). So, what should you be looking for? I have some suggestions!

 First, find some conferences that might be relevant to your professional development goals or teaching practice. Search for terms like “conference” and whatever your interests are (e.g., “teaching and learning”) and location (e.g., “Ontario” or “Canada”).  That should bring up at least a few conferences for you to consider. Or, search for specific conferences you have previously attended (and found valuable).

 Then, determine if you’re planning to present something at the conference (e.g., sharing a teaching technique you use in the classroom, results of a SoTL research project, etc) or simply attend the conference as part of your professional development. If you’re only planning to attend the conference, your focus will be on the scope of the conference and the theme for that year (if there is one). You can find this information on the conference website and/or the call for proposals. Check out the theme for that specific year as well as the detailed programs from previous years. See who the keynote speaker is and the topic. You may also want to look at whether there is the same schedule for everyone or if there are concurrent sessions for you to choose. If there are concurrent sessions, do they occur more than once or might you have to choose between 2 sessions that you would really like to attend? If it’s a virtual conference, is it synchronous or asynchronous, and is it in the same time zone (does that matter to you)? Now, if you plan to also present at the conference, read on for some additional considerations!

If you plan to present something at the conference, there are additional things to consider. Decide what you’d like to present about; if this is your first time presenting at a conference, consider submitting a proposal to a conference you have previously attended so that the format (and possibly location) will at least be familiar to you. You will also need to consider the timing of the conference itself and the available formats for presenters. Many conferences put out a call for proposals well in advance of the conference itself (3-6 months or even more sometimes!) so give yourself enough time to prepare your submission. In addition to timing, think about the format of the conference (virtual or in person) and the format of the presentation (poster, 10-minute talk, 30-minute talk, 60-minute workshop). Which format lends itself best to your chosen topic? Will you require funding for this format (e.g., printing a poster or handouts)? And more importantly, does the conference you’re considering offer sessions in your preferred format?

Of course, you’ll have to consider the cost to register (and attend if in person) at some point as well as the registration deadline (sometimes registering early gives you a discounted rate!). But, regardless of whether your plan to present something or simply attend, remember that there is a form to fill out (that must be approved by the Dean and sometimes VPA) for travelling and/or PD funds, so give yourself enough time to complete this paperwork well in advance of any deadlines.

Here are a few teaching-related conferences that I have either attended or would like to attend soon. I thought you might find them interesting:

• ·       Education and Cognition (EdCog) conference at McMaster University
• ·       University of Calgary Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching
• ·       Advancing Learning Conference on Educational Technology 
• ·       Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE)
• ·       Waterloo Teaching and Learning conference at the University of Waterloo

If there is anything I can do to support your research or if you have suggestions for me in my role as Research Coordinator, please reach out via email or Teams or pop in to my “office hours” on Fridays from 12:30-1:30pm on Whereby.