Based on feedback, we are continuing the phased approach to our Call for Proposals this year. We hope to build 50 percent of the program during the first two phases and complete it with an all call and invited speakers in Phases 3 and 4. 

• Phase 1 – Up to 20% of the program will be completed. Proposals submitted in Phase 1 that are not accepted right away, will move to Phase 2 for additional consideration.

• Phase 2 – Up to 50% of the program will be completed. Proposals submitted in Phase 2 that are not accepted right away, will move to Phase 3 for additional consideration

• Phase 3 – Up to 98% of the program will be completed. Proposals submitted in Phase 3 that are not accepted will move to a waitlist for possible consideration in the final program.

• Phase 4 – Speakers will be invited and/or added from the waitlist during the final phase.

If you would like your proposal to be considered for the online conference, Digital Learningpalooza, as well (this will not affect the acceptance of your in-person conference proposal), check that option in the proposal form.

A webinar will be held prior to each phase sharing information about what we are looking for and how to submit a successful proposal, as well as what topics we are looking for. Time for Q&A will be provided during each of these webinars, so bring your questions.

The phases are outlined below:

Phase 1 - June 4 - July 19, 2024

• Informational Webinar - May 22, 2024 at 12pm PT/3pm ET - REGISTER HERE!

• Priority Focus of Phase 1:

  • Ideas for Pre-conference sessions (this session type will only be available in Phase 1)

  • Topics to push advanced leaders in the field;

  • Sessions (private schools, international schools, independent schools, overseas school, IB online courses/schools, etc.);

  • New school models - design and best practice focused (hybrid schools, CTE programs, micro-schools, ESAs, and working with homeschooling families in online/hybrid enrichment schools/programs, etc.);

  • Research, policy, and communications/marketing focused sessions; and 

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) focused topics

Phase 2 - August 6 - September 8, 2024

• Informational Webinar - August 5, 2024 at 12pm PT/3pm ET - REGISTER HERE!

• Priority Focus of Phase 2:

  • Professional Learning for both leaders and teachers - needs, onboarding, and ongoing support, etc.;

  • Innovation in digital learning (new and what's coming in the future);

  • Student and parent/family engagement strategies;

  • Working with special student populations in digital environments (ELL, Special Education, Gifted, etc.);

  • Accessibility;

  • Sessions to support specific roles (School leaders, Counselors, ParaProfessionals, Researchers, Policymakers, Media, etc.)

  • Best practices for teachers and leaders in digital learning.

Phase 3 - September 24 - October 14, 2024 - An open call phase (please feel free to submit on any topic). However, we are looking to fill in gaps not met in the first two phases.

• Informational Webinar - September 18, 2024 at 12pm PT/3pm ET - REGISTER HERE!

• Priority Focus of Phase 3:

  • Artificial Intelligence in Education – a focus on what we can do now and in the future. How do you envision it will look in 2-5 years and how will this affect online and hybrid learning). Let’s push our thinking!;

  • Sessions focused on pushing the field forward (more advanced audience) and for leaders of digital programs/schools;

  • SEL/wrap around services focused sessions; and

  • eSports, clubs, proms, electives, etc. (how are you engaging students outside of academic online classrooms.

Phase 4 - November 11, 2024 - January 31, 2025 - Invited speakers only. The DLAC Program Committee and team will invite specific people to fill in specific gaps in the program.

Proposal submissions will be reviewed by members of the Program Committee throughout the months of July, August, September, and October (after each phase) and the program will be finalized by conference organizers in early November.  All submitters will be notified of their proposal status (e.g. accepted, waitlisted, declined) at the end of each phase and no later than November 8, 2024 on the final status of their proposals. 

May 22, 2024 - Phase 1 ABC’s of Submitting a DLAC Proposal webinar. Register HERE.

June 4, 2024 - Call for Proposals Opens (See phase dates and topics above.)

July 19, 2024 - Phase 1 Closes

August 5, 2024 - Phase 2 ABC’s of Submitting a DLAC Proposal webinar. Register HERE.

August 6, 2024 - Phase 2 Opens

September 8, 2024 - Phase 2 Closes

September 18, 2024 - Phase 3 ABC’s of Submitting a DLAC Proposal webinar. Register HERE.

September 24, 2024 - Phase 3 Opens

October 14, 2024 - Call for Proposals Closes

October 14 - November 8, 2024 - Final review of proposals by Program Committee and DLAC team.

Week of November 4, 2024 - Notifications are emailed to all submitters no later than November 8, 2024.

Speakers must confirm their acceptance no later than Friday, December 20, 2024.

Speakers must complete all tasks and finalize their proposal and all edits no later than Friday, February 14, 2025.

DLAC presentations emphasize shorter, more interactive sessions, ranging from 6 minutes 40 seconds to 75 minutes, allowing flexibility for attendees to personalize their learning experience:

• 20-minute segments: 15 minutes to form the building blocks of the program, with 5 minutes for Q&A and 5 minutes for transitions.

• Modular sessions: 3, 20-minute sessions, built around themes, with attendees encouraged to move between sessions as needed.

• Room Moderators: Enforce timing and transitions to maintain "organized chaos" throughout breakout sessions.​​​

This year’s Call for Proposals process is phased:

1. Phase 1 (June 4 - July 19, 2024): Up to 20% of the program is built. Opening Soon!

• Ideas for pre-conference sessions, advanced topics, new school models, and DEI-focused topics.

2. Phase 2 (August 6 - September 8, 2024): Up to 50% of the program is built.

• Professional learning, innovation, engagement strategies, special student populations, and best practices.

3. Phase 3 (September 24 - October 14, 2024): Open call phase to fill remaining gaps.

• AI in Education, advanced leadership sessions, SEL and wraparound services, and student engagement.

4. Phase 4 (November 11, 2024 - January 31, 2025): Invited speakers only to finalize the program.

Proposals are reviewed by the Program Committee throughout each phase. Notifications will be sent out by November 8, 2024. Speakers must confirm by December 20, 2024.

In the Call for Proposal form, you will select your main topic of focus. Proposals should focus on one of these key topics:

• Accessibility: Addressing program, school, classroom, content, and technology accessibility.

• Accountability: Evaluation of online/blended schools, accountability processes, and needed changes.

• Best Practices: Strategies for teaching and leading digital programs.

• Communications/Marketing: Communicating and marketing digital learning programs effectively.

• Continuity of Learning: Strategies and policies to ensure continuity during emergencies.

• Design and Refine: Starting and refining online schools/programs, new ideas, and resources.

• Digital Content: Building, buying, or using OER content effectively.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Comprehensive DEI initiatives.

• Funding/Policy: Funding models, policies, and their impact on digital programs.

• Innovation: New trends in K-12 digital learning, successes, and failures.

• Professional Development: Effective professional learning for teachers and staff.

• Quality: Measuring quality in digital programs, using standards, and evaluations.

• Research: Sharing new studies and exploring future research topics.

• SEL and Wraparound Services: Supporting students and families beyond academics.

• Special Student Populations: Working with specific student populations such as special education, gifted education, 504s, and English Language Learners.

• Teaching Strategies: Engaging and supporting students, assessing them online, and building communities.

• Technology: Tools for digital learning environments and needed improvements.

• Other: Please explain.

You will have the option to classify your audience to further categorize your session:

• Online Learning: Programs or schools where the majority of instruction is online.

• Hybrid Learning: Programs or schools combining online and onsite instruction without requiring a traditional schedule.

• Blended Learning: Programs or schools with traditional schedules that integrate online tools and resources.

• Other: You will be asked to explain.

We are soliciting the following types of sessions. Remember, an individual segment is planned for each speaker to present for 20 minutes including Q&A. Therefore, the total times are:

• 0.5 segments: 10 minutes

• 1 segment: 20 minutes

• 1.5 segments: 35 minutes

• 2 segments: 45 minutes

• 3 segments: 75 minutes

Sessions are held in the 75-minute blocks of time, made up of multiple segments and transition time, that can be built around a specific theme/topic, which will combine different session types. If you wish to request this for your proposal, select "Other" for the number of segments and explain the length of time being requested and why longer than 75 minutes is needed.

You will be asked to select one of the following session types (You will also be asked: Are there any other session types you would consider for this proposal? If so, which one(s) would be appropriate?"):

• Contributed Talk (20 minutes/1 segment) – These talks are made up of 15 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes of questions and discussion. The Program Committee will organize these short talks together under broad themes. 

• Explore and Engage (45 minutes/2 segments) – This session is intended for a presenter to share information about a topic for 20 minutes (similar to a Contributed Talk) and then lead a discussion about the topic directly following the presentation for the next 20 minute segment (similar to a Table Talk).

• Organized Session of Talks (75 minutes/3 segments) - The presenter proposes the theme for all three speakers. These sessions are considered a group of three Contributed Talks. They are based on 20-minute segments and allow conference attendees to move between sessions throughout the day. A session moderator may choose to have two speakers plus a 20-minute discussion for the third segment. 

• Table Talks (35 minutes/1.5 segments) – Table talks are facilitated small group (10-15 people) discussions of 35 minutes. Discussion topics are chosen by the moderator of the session and can focus on any aspect of digital learning. The moderator does not need to be an expert on the topic, but should have questions planned prior to the Table Talk to guide the conversation. Screens, projectors, and microphones will not be provided for Table Talks.

• Book Study (35 minutes/1.5 segments) – Book Studies are facilitated small group (10-15 people) discussions of 35 minutes. Sessions are focused around a book that will be highlighted before the conference so attendees have the opportunity to read the book prior to the session. The book is chosen by the moderator of the session and can focus on any aspect of digital learning. The moderator does not have to be the author of the book but should have questions planned prior to the Book Study to guide the conversation. Screens, projectors, and microphones will not be provided for Book Studies.

• PechaKucha (0.5 segments) – This is a very specific type of presentation that is exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds long, where you must have exactly 20 images in a Powerpoint with slides auto-advancing after 20 seconds. See www.pechakucha.org for more information.

• Poster Sessions (90 minutes) – Posters are presented during one of the two early evening receptions in the exhibit hall. We would like you to think of your poster as an “infographic” to stress that the graphics must convey a problem and solution, or research question and findings. Speakers will be available during the 90-minute block to address participants' questions.  

Blocks may also be used for the following types of activities, using the entire 75 minutes or a portion of the 75 minutes:

• Debate (2 to 3 segments) – This session is intended for a moderator to lead a debate-style discussion on an online, blended, or digital learning topic in which differing opinions exist. Structurally, a debate and a panel discussion may appear similar, but we are encouraging the free exchange of ideas and, as such, debates that feature differing views will be given priority. 

• Fishbowl (2 to 3 segments) –Fishbowl is a method for facilitating group discussions. In a Fishbowl discussion, there will be four "panelists" at the front of the room (the “fishbowl”). The moderator (person submitting the session) will propose the topic and those on stage will actively discuss the topic. The initial panelists can be selected ahead of time or they can volunteer once they hear the selected topic, this is the moderator's choice. Attendees outside the fishbowl listen carefully to the conversation but are not allowed to actively engage with the panelists unless they go on stage. When they go on stage, they will replace the individual who has been on stage the longest. The topics can change throughout the session with attendees and panelists taking turns being both contributors and listeners in a group discussion.  

• Panel Discussion (2 to 3 segments) – After short introductory statements on the panel topic, a moderator will lead a discussion with the panelists on the topic, encouraging the attendees to pose questions. Panel discussions must be interactive between panel members and the audience and not a set of individual presentations. The preferred panel discussion provides panelists with a variety of perspectives on a topic from multiple schools/organizations. (The Program Committee can assist in finding other panelists as needed.) 

• Research Study Data Collection (2 to 3 segments) - Researchers may complete a feedback/data collection session to help complete a research study. This should not be a company/organization trying to collect feedback/ offer a focus group for a new product or service.

• Workshops (3 segments) – This session provides an opportunity to explore a topic in depth. It is expected that the workshop will have various interactive components. DLAC is not looking for traditional conference sessions. Please do not select Workshop as a way of getting the time for a traditional conference session. These must be interactive sessions, engaging all participants in activities and discussions to take a deeper experiential dive into a topic. 

Please reach out to dlac@evergreenedgroup.com with questions about this session type. 

If you have an idea for another session, please provide this information in your proposal in the "Other" area.

• Pre-conference Session (2-3 hours) – These sessions will happen the morning of the first day of the conference. Participants will pay an additional fee to attend the sessions and they will only be offered if a specific number of people sign up to attend. They must be interactive and engaging and provide a hands-on or discussion-based experience for the majority of the session. (This session type will only be available during Phase 1 of the call for proposals. If you have an idea for a pre-conference session after Phase 1, please email dlac@evergreenedgroup.com with your idea and supporting details.)

• Sponsor Sessions (1 to 3 segments) –Carol Klyver, our Director of Sponsors, will provide the submission code to her main contact of each sponsor. Sponsor sessions will require the code to be entered into the proposal for their pre-assigned sessions.

• State/Regional Meet-ups (3 segments within program or outside of program) - DLC State Affiliates who wish to set up an in-person state/regional meet-up during the conference will select this session type. All DLC State Affiliate primary contacts will receive a special submission code from Chris Voelker, DLC Director to input into their proposal. 

• Community Based Meet-ups (3 segments within program or outside of program) - If you are interested in adding a new community to the DLC membership organization (We currently have community groups focused on: Digital Content, Design & Refine, Elementary, Policy, and Research) or a new state affiliate (you are not a current DLC State Affiliate member), please submit your idea as this session type. We will contact you after the conference to determine interest in continuing the conversations.

• Community-Based Set of Sessions (4 sessions) - The goal of these sessions is to propose a specific track of multiple sessions that build upon one another that attendees would join throughout DLAC. A track of sessions building upon each other, including:

  • A pre-recorded Contributed Talk introducing the topic.

  • A Panel Discussion providing multiple perspectives.

  • A Workshop for a deeper, hands-on dive.

  • A Table Talk for higher-level engagement with the community.

  One to two people lead and engage the participants during DLAC, with potential continued engagement through DLC membership. **Note, you will be submitting 5 proposals for this session type! One to describe the proposed community, and then one proposal for each of the four session types listed above.

Also, you don't have to consider yourself an expert to propose a session. If you are struggling with an issue, propose a table talk to attract others who are dealing with it as well. If you have a certain view and want to explore it with others who hold different opinions, propose a panel discussion, fishbowl, or debate. If you have an issue that you feel is important and interesting but limited in scope, propose a PechaKucha presentation.

If you are submitting a proposal with multiple speakers, please have all group presenters' information (name, title, email, org, city, state/country, and bio) before submitting your proposal.

If you are submitting a proposal on behalf of someone else, please list them as the main speaker. You may add your email as part of the process to be copied on all correspondence.

Please only create one profile (account). All speakers should use the same email address for all presentations (both the ones you submit as the lead presenter and for the presentations where you are listed as a co-presenter).

Each individual person (not based on organization) is limited to submitting three submissions (you may be listed as a co-presenter on multiple proposals).

Please remember that sessions are for educational purposes only and not vehicles for commercial pitches.

Program Chair, Allison Powell, wrote a SPARK! To highlight ideas for submitting your proposal here.

Trinity Wilburn, one of our highest rated speakers has shared some tips and tricks for putting your proposal and presentation together in this short video.

A slide deck sharing some tips and tricks from Sarah Williamson who has submitted proposals for a variety of organizations and schools that have been accepted into each of the past few DLACs can be found here.

A projector and speakers will be available in each break-out room. Microphones are also provided in larger rooms. Table Talks, Book Studies, and Poster sessions will not include AV.

To get started:

1. Click the "Submit Your Proposal" button at the top of this page when it opens.

2. Create an account or log in. (Note this is a new platform so everyone will need to create an account the first time you login this year).

3. Complete the submission form with your proposal details.

For more information about the Digital Learning Annual Conference, click here.