HETL 2021

Conference theme, tracks and sub­themes

Theme: Unprecedented challenges and possibilities for sustainable development and e-learning in higher education.

Track 1

Possible presentation topic areas for concurrent discussion panel sessions and posters

Pedagogies, Curriculum, Assessment, and Research (student learning)

African epistemologies, decoloniality and the transformation of higher education pedagogy and curriculum

Contextual issues in higher education (access, diversity, inclusion, and equity of students and faculty)

Innovative materials and tools in teaching and learning

Evaluation, assessment, and quality assurance of teaching and learning

Research and scholarship of teaching and learning

Integrating human rights and sustainable development into teaching and learning

Transformative and high impact teaching and learning approaches (service-learning, community-based  learning, undergraduate research, learning communities, internships, collaborative projects, capstone projects, global learning, education for sustainable development)

Best practices and research in online and distance learning (ODL), open educational resources (OER),  and technology-enhanced learning (TEL)

Sustainable development of ODL, OER, and TEL practices and systems

ODL, OER, and TEL scholarship (e.g., massive open online courses (MOOCs), online repositories, social networks, mobile learning)

Emerging technologies for teaching and learning (e.g., MOOCs, gamification, virtual labs)

Track 2

Possible presentation topic areas for concurrent discussion panel sessions and posters

Support Strategies and Practices for Student Success (student support)

Creating supportive and caring environments for students

Cultural Connections and student well-being – Inclusive campuses

Refugee Education – Integrating refugee, minority, and non-traditional students

Student counselling, career guidance and psycho-social support

Strategies and practices to improve student retention, throughput and graduation

Providing for students with disabilities

Preparing students for the world of work

Track 3

Possible presentation topic areas for concurrent discussion panel sessions and posters

Governance, Management, and Regulatory Environment (Educational Leadership)

Institutional quality assurance, regulatory and public policy issues

Institutional governance, leadership, and management issues

Institutional policy, strategy, and planning issues

Institutional research and data analytics

Economic and financial models and fee free/less fee provision

Internationalization of higher education and global campus management

Conference Session Types

This conference will have presentations in roundtable (panel) discussion format and interactive workshop format as well as a poster session.

  • Discussion Panels. Each discussion panel will be oriented around the three track topics and will consist of five or six panel members (presenters). Each panel will last 60 minutes and is a more intimate discussion format where each presenter will give a brief presentation (about 8 minutes for each presenter) followed by an in-depth Question & Answer discussion by all presenters and audience members. To aid their oral presentation, presenters may use computers and projectors (will be made available), or they may distribute summary hardcopy handouts of key points (must bring your own), or they can just deliver an oral presentation without any aids. The following format will be used:
    Part I: 45 minutes, panel statements (presentations) by panel members
    Part II: 15 minutes, questions from audience for panel members and interactive discussion between panel and audience
  • Poster Sessions. Each poster will be oriented around the three track topics. Poster sessions will last 60 minutes. Presenters discuss their poster with conference attendees who are viewing their poster. Poster boards will be provided. Posters dimensions should be A0 portrait style (approximate dimensions: 1189 x 841 mm or 46.8 x 33.1 in). Presenters need to ensure that posters are readable and easy to follow and make their points concisely and clearly. 
  • Interactive Workshops. Each workshop will be oriented around the three workshop themes. A limited number of 60 minute workshops will be available during the conference. For the workshops, the structure is open – the workshop presenter decides what format to use within the allotted 60 minutes.

Interactive workshops will be focused on the following themes:

  1. Policy and strategy formulation for sustainable development goals and e-learning in higher education
  2. Implementation and evaluation of sustainable development goals and e-learning in higher education
  3. Emerging trends and future challenges and opportunities for transforming teaching and learning in higher education

 Key note speakers will present at the plenary sessions on the following topics:

  • Higher education and sustainable development
  • Challenges and opportunities in transforming higher education
  • Higher education and the 4th industrial revolution

For plenary sessions with groups of four speakers presenting on the following topics:

  • Challenges and opportunities in implementing sustainable development in higher education
  • Policy and strategy formulation for sustainable development goals and e-learning in higher education
  • Implementation and evaluation of sustainable development goals and e-learning in higher education
  • Emerging trends and future challenges and opportunities for transforming teaching and learning in higher education

Note: submit a proposal only if you would like to give a presentation for a panel, workshop, or poster session. You do not have to submit a proposal if you want to attend the conference as a non-presenting delegate. For those submitting presentation proposals (i.e., an abstract of the presentation), if your proposal is accepted, you will then proceed to finalise the full paper. All delegates (presenters and non-presenters) must register for the conference.

Last modified: Sun Jul 30 13:45:08 SAST 2023