Four Engaging Days of Online Learning at OLC Accelerate 2023

From October 24 - 27, 2023, OLC Accelerate will be shaping the future of online, digital, and blended learning in Washington D.C. This year’s conference theme is Creating Connections: Uniting Learners through Collaboration and Creativity.

With a mix of master classes, sessions, and summits, this conference is designed to support anyone interested in online learning. Our team at Engageli will be there to join the conversation on innovative online education.

Top Reasons to Attend OLC Accelerate 2023

Still not sure if you should attend? Here are just a few of the benefits of joining the online learning community at OLC Accelerate: 

Helpful Master Classes, Sessions, and Keynotes: OLC Accelerate offers multiple pathways to learn about online education, from hands-on master classes to deep-dive summits. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including blended learning, AI applications, and more.

Networking Opportunities: Networking is made fun at OLC Accelerate. Attendees get many opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, share ideas, and meet industry leaders during entertaining planned events. Check out our schedule below for the top networking opportunities, and get ready to make meaningful connections!

Innovative Learning Tools: The Exhibit Hall will be filled with innovative solutions designed to improve the online learning experience. Don’t forget to stop by Engageli at Booth 222 to experience our virtual collaboration platform!

Four Engaging Days at OLC Accelerate 2023

The many sessions and networking opportunities at OLC Accelerate can be overwhelming, so we put together a handy guide spotlighting key events to help you get the most out of this conference.

Feel free to download this itinerary as a printable guide to bring with you to the conference. Don't forget to stop by the events marked with the Engageli bowtie to meet our team!

Day 1: Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Attend the Leadership Network Keynote

8:30 am, National Harbor 4-5

Join a thought-provoking keynote by Tia Brown McNair on equity-centered approaches for unlocking opportunities that advance digital strategy.

Rethink Teaching and Learning with AI

9:00 am, Chesapeake 4-5

Attend a pre-conference master class with Reed Dickson that rethinks assessment, teaching, curricular design, ethics, and more with AI in mind. Come ready to practice creating valuable resources using AI!

Design a Course Using ChatGPT

1:00 pm, Chesapeake 4-5

Get hands-on practice on how to create a course using ChatGPT, from syllabi to lesson plans, in this engaging pre-conference master class led by Sean Nufer.

Avoid the Lines with Early Registration

3:00 pm, Mezzanine Landing

Skip the crowds on Wednesday by checking in early. You can pick up your badge and conference materials with plenty of time to plan for the upcoming days.

Network at the Exhibit Hall Preview Reception

4:00 pm, Prince George's Exhibit Hall A-B

After a busy morning of learning, take the time to recharge with snacks and beverages while getting ahead on this year’s conference games!

Day 2: Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Kick Off the Conference with Networking

8:00 am, National Harbor 4-5

If this is your first time attending OLC Accelerate, head to the First Timers Welcome and Orientation to get your questions answered and network.

Learn How to Build a Community of Care

10:30 am, Chesapeake 10-12

Join an interactive workshop led by Nina McCune and Deepa Shriram on how to create a community of care at your institution, plus learn about the resources you’ll need to keep it going.

Explore the Booths to Discover Innovative Tools 

2:15 pm, Prince George's Exhibit Hall A-B

Head to the Exhibit Hall to visit with sponsors and exhibitors. Make sure to stop by booth 222 to try out Engageli, a collaborative learning platform!

Attend the Opening Keynote

4:45 pm, Maryland Ballroom A-D

Listen to an engaging and actionable keynote by Brandeis Marshall on how to easily leverage AI in your teaching practice for better learning outcomes.

Mingle at the Welcome Reception

5:45 pm, Prince George's Exhibit Hall A-B

Right after the Keynote, head to the Welcome Reception for networking and refreshments!

Day 3: Thursday, October 26, 2023

Start the Day with Mindfulness

7:45 am, Chesapeake 1

To get ready for the busy day ahead, start your day with meditation and mindfulness. This guided session will help both mindfulness beginners and experts feel present and centered.

Discuss Strategies to Build Online Community

9:30 am, Chesapeake 10-12

Building community is critical for student success. In this session, learn three unique ways to help your students connect in an online course with Tonya Whitehead.

Break the Ice with Speed Networking

10:15 am, Prince George's Exhibit Hall A-B

Make new connections in a fun and interactive speed networking session, where participants are paired with outlandish job descriptions.

Move, Munch, and Mingle at Lunch

12:00 pm, Prince George's Exhibit Hall A-B

Connect over food and fun at a networking lunch! Come ready for activities, prizes, and more!

Explore at the Engagement Block Party and Happy Hour

3:30 pm, Maryland Ballroom A-D

Looking for new ideas around online engagement? Check out the Engagement Block party, where you can explore tools and strategies that address your engagement pain points and needs.

Day 4: Friday, October 27, 2023

Join the Fireside Chat Discussions

8:30 am, Maryland Ballroom A-D

Grab a coffee and make your way over to a thought-provoking Fireside Chat featuring Angela Gunder, Carlos Morales, and Marla Franco on how to ensure student success in today’s digital age.

Discover Strategies for Culturally Responsive Teaching     

9:30 am, Chesapeake 5

Join a hands-on workshop with Engageli’s Tyler Zimmerman as he discusses how flexible and technology-enabled course modalities, including asynchronous sessions and watch parties, can improve learning outcomes from a culturally responsive perspective. Hear success stories and ideas from fellow educators and course designers.

Learn About Inclusive Online Design

10:30 am, Maryland 6

Discover the nine core principles for designing inclusive online curriculum and classrooms with Kristi Trapp. Come prepared with examples from your own teaching practice to share!

Discuss Student Success Metrics

11:30 am, Chesapeake G-I

Go beyond basic attendance counts in a roundtable discussion of online student success metrics with Caleb Simmons and Carmin Chan.

Celebrate at the Closing Ceremony

12:15 pm, Maryland A-C

After four days filled with learning and connecting, celebrate the end of the conference with food, beverages, and music.

How to Engage with Us

As you navigate OLC Accelerate, we at Engageli want to join the conversation with you around shaping the future of online learning. Here's how you can connect with us during the event.

What is Engageli?

Engageli is a virtual collaboration platform purpose-built to deliver optimized teaching and learning experiences for everyone. An alternative to traditional video conferencing tools, Engageli enables you to facilitate live and asynchronous learning sessions that help your students connect and succeed. With Engageli, you can measure the impact of your classes with real-time data that provides insights into student engagement and outcomes.

Where to Find Engageli at OLC Accelerate 2023

Visit Engageli’s Booth:
We invite you to experience our virtual collaboration platform first-hand! Visit us at Booth 222, where our team will walk you through the platform, answer questions, and discuss how Engageli can meet your specific online learning needs.

Find us on Social Media:
Stay updated and join the conversation with us online. Follow us on:

LinkedIn: Engageli

Twitter: @Engageli

Use the hashtags: #ZoomOutEngageIn #OLCAccelerate

Armed with this guide, you're set to extract maximum value from your experience at OLC Accelerate 2023. And remember, the Engageli team is eager to connect with you! Whether it's a quick chat at our booth or a deeper discussion following our session, we can't wait to discuss the future of online learning with you.