Call for Proposals

We are happy to announce the Fourth Annual Connected Learning Summit (CLS). CLS brings together leading researchers, educators, and developers tapping the power of emerging technology to expand access to participatory, playful, and creative learning. The event is co-hosted by UC Irvine’s Connected Learning Lab, MIT’s Scheller Teacher Education Program and Education Arcade, and the Learning Games Network.

Our CFP for this year is focused on self-organized online workshops, symposia, networking opportunities, social, and gaming events tailored to an online format. We welcome your proposals for creating an inclusive, learner-centered, community-driven event that will break new ground in what is possible for online events and community-building. Our hope is that this event will strengthen the community and create a space for sharing of ideas that are relevant and timely today and for the future. Given the experimental nature of this year’s event, we welcome any and all creative ideas that meet the goals of sharing ideas and promoting connections within the CLS community.

Please also reach out to us if you would like to join the conference committee or have suggestions and ideas that extend beyond this CFP. 

In order to accommodate presenters and attendees in Asia, Australia, and the New Zealand area we are considering running some sessions at 4pm-6pm Pacific / 7pm-9pm Eastern. When submitting your paper please let us know if you would like to present during one of these later times.

SESSION FORMATS

Symposia. A 60-minute session including 3 or more participants. The format can be a cluster of three or more presentations, a moderated conversation, or an interactive poster session—be creative! These sessions can include prior CLS presentation types such as Well Played, Hall of Failure, or Spotlights, as well as new genres. We encourage organizers to include audience engagement and interaction.

Submissions should include a description of the topic, format, and any individual presentations within the symposium. Please submit a detailed symposium description (2 pages max) for reviewers, and a 250 word abstract for the online schedule.

Workshops. A 60-minute interactive session where organizers engage participants in a hands-on learning activity or the framing and analysis of a problem or concept. Workshops are highly participatory. Make things, build things, test things—the sky’s the limit! Workshops must be tailored to work in an interactive online format.

Please submit a detailed workshop description (2 pages max) for reviewers, and a 250 word abstract for the online schedule.

Experimental and Social Sessions. We encourage submissions for sessions that are tailored to engagement in our online, month-long format. These proposals do not need to fit the one-hour format, and could include social games, online networking opportunities, alternate reality games, or affinity group meet ups. Some examples are:

• Experiential workshop for an online learning activity, where participants can be both teachers or learners
• A book group or film screening with discussion
• Working sessions to share past experience and consider new projects
• Fun social formats like Among Us games or Minecraft build challenges
• Playtesting or sharing prototypes of work in progress

We encourage you to consider equity, racial justice, inclusion, and accessibility in your submissions. We also welcome submissions that focus on online and blended learning given our virtual format. As always, CLS is committed to centering conversations around voices and perspectives that are minoritized in other technology and education forums. The online format also offers us a unique opportunity to expand accessibility to those who may not have been able to attend our in person conference. We understand that some formats may require specialized technology, and encourage submissions that push the envelope on technology innovation. At the same time, we urge you to consider ways to structure your sessions to be as inclusive and accessible as possible.

About the Connected Learning Summit

CLS was first convened in 2018 with the mission to fuel a growing movement of innovators harnessing the power of emerging technology to expand access to participatory, playful, and creative learning. It represents a merger between three community events with this shared vision and values: the Digital Media and Learning Conference, the Games+Learning+Society Conference, and Sandbox Summit. With a unique focus on cross-sector connections and progressive and catalytic innovation, the event brings together leading researchers, educators, and developers. The event is co-hosted by UC Irvine’s Connected Learning Lab, MIT’s Scheller Teacher Education Program and Education Arcade, and the Learning Games Network and supported by a wide network of academic, industry, nonprofit, and philanthropic partners.