Distance Learning Conference 2026
Session 1 Descriptions and Links
10:15 AM EST - 11:15 AM EST
Option 1:
From Wild West to Shared Norms: Designing AI Policies with Students
Presenter: Dr. Hannah Ruehl
Intended Audience: Higher Ed, Instructional Designer/Technology Specialist
As generative AI rides into Higher Ed, many classrooms feel like the academic Wild West—full of possibility, confusion, and a few rogue actors. This session shares practical “AI ordinances”—adaptable policy language and LMS-ready resources—to help bring clarity to teaching, assessment, and academic integrity. Participants will (1) identify key elements of clear, student-centered AI policies and (2) explore ways to co-create AI norms with students. Through quick examples, downloadable resources, and lively discussion, attendees will swap stories, compare approaches, and leave with ideas ready to put into practice.
Option 2:
Is AI Disrupting Your Course Alignment?
Presenter: Dr. Lisa Hammonds
Intended Audience: Higher Ed, Instructional Designer/Technology Specialist
As faculty redesign assignments in response to AI, course alignment is often unintentionally disrupted. This interactive session helps participants evaluate how well their assignments align with learning objectives in an AI-enabled environment. Using a hands-on approach, faculty will analyze an existing assignment, assess its cognitive demands, and redesign it to better support authentic student learning and maintain alignment. Participants will leave with practical strategies and a revised assignment ready for implementation.
Option 3:
Full Throttle Learning: Driving AI Literacy in the Classroom
Presenter: Melissa Epps
Intended Audience: Higher Ed, K-12, Instructional Designer/Technology Specialist
Rev-up your instructional practices and accelerate student success with AI-powered strategies! In this interactive, hands-on virtual workshop, college-level distance learning instructors will explore how to integrate AI tools to enhance teaching, increase student engagement, and promote deeper learning. Grounded in the SAMR model, this session moves beyond substitution to transformational learning experiences that prepare students for an AI-driven world.
Option 4:
Shall We Play a Game? Using Gamification Principles to Design Engaging Online Courses
Presenters: Dr. Tabetha Garman
Intended Audience: Higher Ed, K-12, Instructional Designer/Technology Specialist, Distance Ed Admin
“Shall We Play a Game?” explores how gamification can be used not as decoration, but as a framework for designing online courses that actually work. Rather than trying to recreate the traditional classroom in a digital space, this session reframes online learning as its own environment—one that thrives on clear structure, meaningful progression, and built-in feedback. Using real course examples, participants will see how game-based principles like choice, movement, and revision can increase engagement and persistence in both competency-based and traditional formats, leaving with practical ideas they can immediately apply.
Option 5:
Mini Sessions - Student Support, Access, and Experience: (1) Supporting Student's Mental Health Using AI, (2) Camera Fatigue in Online Learning, (3) Using AI Tools to Support Teacher Licensure Candidates
Presenter: (1) Ciera Spady, (2) Dr. Heather Moore, (3) Dr. Carolyn Gadsden Holliday
Intended Audience: (1) Higher Ed, K-12, (2) Higher Ed, K-12, (3) Higher Ed
(1) As professionals, it's important to strive to create a safe and supportive environment for K-12 and college students. In this session, professionals will learn how to best support the mental health of students inside and outside the classroom. Tools and resources to share with students will also be shared.
(2) By the end of this session, participants will be able to describe and apply best practices for supporting student in live sessions while minimizing camera fatigue. (Audience engagement through polls and Q&A). Today’s world is online and on camera more than ever, and higher education is right on trend with universities regularly offering synchronous online classes. But is camera usage supporting student engagement, or burning students out? As students increasingly report reluctance and resist turning cameras on, we’ll use this session to explore student and faculty perspectives, and present options to boost engagement without the burnout.
(3) In this session, participants will explore how an AI bot built with Playlab can enhance exam preparation for diverse teacher candidates. The session highlights how the bot supports multilingual learners by breaking down complex academic language commonly found on licensure exams. Participants will also learn how the bot functions as a 24/7 content tutor, providing on-demand support to deepen content understanding and build confidence. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for leveraging AI to increase access, equity, and readiness for teacher licensure success.