In case you missed the conference, the plenary sessions’ stream is available online here or on EDEN’s youtube channel.

5 october, Wednesday

Plenary session 1

9:00-11:00

Inge de Waard: Self-determined Learning: Lifelong Learning in an Open Range or Fenced Land?

Olaf Zawacki-Richter & Som Naidu: Exploring 35 Years of Research into Distance Education

6 october, Thursday

Plenary session 2

9:00-11:00

Paul Prinsloo: The Increasing (Im)Possibilities of Justice and Care in Open, Distance Learning

Isa Jahnke: Studying Learning Expeditions in Cross Action Spaces with Digital Didactical Designs

George Veletsianos: A Scholarly Life Online

Closing Plenary Session

16:15-18:00

Adnan Qayyum: The Changing Role of Online and Distance Education in National Systems: a Macro Level Analysis

Building on its success of the research workshop in Oxford, EDEN is pleased to announce its Ninth Research Workshop organised in collaboration with the Institute of Education and the Center for Lifelong Learning at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg in Oldenburg, Germany.

Research into distance education has renewed importance and taken on new dimensions, as open, distance, and online learning further merge with the mainstream of education. Changes are occurring at all levels of institutions: from new systems and theories and ways of leading and managing organizations, to new teaching and learning approaches and technologies.

The history of online and distance learning (ODL) is rich with principles, theories, and concepts that still apply today, but which are often forgotten in the haze of avant-garde technology. As researchers of ODL, these historical roots ground and guide us in forging new paths of teaching and learning with technology. How do we bring together the strengths of the past with the opportunities for the future? How can we build on our knowledge and experiences to create informed and innovative pathways for the future? Which new pedagogic paradigms are emerging and have the potential to impact the future of ODL? The Ninth EDEN Research Workshop in Oldenburg, Germany, will bring together researchers from all walks of life and provide a platform for engaging in discussion and debate, exchanging research ideas, and presenting new developments in ODL, with the goal of creating dialogues and forming opportunities for research collaboration.

The workshop themes are organized along three broad lines of ODL research proposed by Zawacki-Richter and Anderson (2014). The issues and topics on each level may address but are not limited to the following research areas.

• Emerging Distance Education Systems and Theories (Macro-Level), for example:
  • Adaptive DE  systems
  • Lifelong and self-determined learning
  • Globalization and international education
  • Theories and models of DE
  • History and trends in DE research
• Management and Organization Models and Approaches (Meso-Level), for example:
  • Open educational strategies
  • Learning analytics
  • Student and faculty support
  • Cost models for scalability
  • Quality assurance
  • Lifelong learning, adult education, VET, and open universities
• Evolving Practices in Technology Enhanced Learning and Teaching (Micro-Level), for example:
  • Learner experience design
  • Personal learning environments
  • Digital identities and social networks
  • Blended learning
  • Rhizomatic learning
  • Flipped classrooms
  • Assessment, e.g., prior learning assessment, badges
  • Competency-based education
  • Open learning, open educational resources, and MOOCs

Paper presentations

The duration of each parallel session will be 90 minutes, with 4-6 presentations focused around a specific theme. When submitting papers for consideration, presenters can decide whether to use the traditional presentation with Q & A format or the “research-speed-dating” technique introduced at the Oxford research workshop. Session leaders will be invited to use social media to publish developments and results of sessions.

Poster sessions

Moderated poster sessions will be held daily, with 5-10 posters per session. Maximum poster size is 200 cm tall and 100 cm wide. Please bring your poster and any respective tools for placing your poster on the stand. All types of tape can be used for hanging posters, if it is easy to remove; push pins, etc. can NOT be used.

Poster presenters are invited to come to the conference foyer. Posters will remain displayed both days of the workshop. Poster session moderators will contact the presenters before the workshop.

Workshops

A limited number of workshops – introducing a comprehensive theme from different perspectives, focused sessions on a particular topic, debates, discussions – are invited. Priority will be given to workshop submissions that incorporate integrated virtual participation (organised by the authors) via webinars.

Training sessions

Teasers of longer training courses and/or MOOCs are welcome in this type of session. Candidates submitting a training idea have a relatively large freedom in the design of the session within the frame of 90 -minutes, but high level of active participant involvement (either f2f or online) is expected. Innovative training methods are greatly encouraged. The objective is to provide a real learning experience to both trainers and trainees.

New! 3-Minute Research-in-Process Elevator Pitch competition

Early researchers will present early phase research ideas and topics to delegates in the form of a 3-minute elevator pitch (in addition to their individual poster session). Up to three winners will receive a free registration to the next EDEN Annual Conference to present his/her research results.  A committee of EDEN vice-president of research, Ulrich Bernath, and the EDEN Secretary General will decide on winners. Winners of the Research-in-Process Elevator Pitch will be announced at the closing session.

New! EDEN Fellow and student researcher information exchange and advising as preparation for 3-minute elevator pitch session (afternoon before workshop start).

New! Something-old, something-new panels

In the form of an Oxford-style debate, panels of early and established researchers will be formed to debate emerging research themes in ODL.

New! Focus group networking sessions:

Delegates will meet in topic-based groups to exchange ideas on workshop themes. Groups will be created and results presented in the EDEN NAP forums.

New! End of-day early researcher reports on workshop themes (highlights of presentations, blogs, and tweets):

Teams of early researchers, guided by an EDEN Fellow, will report on research results at the end of Day 1 and Day 2 of the workshop, highlighting key developments and results presented at the workshop.

New! Special panel session/workshop on getting published.

Editors of scholarly journals will provide insights and tips for getting your research published.

During this research workshop, EDEN will bring established scholars and researchers of ODL together with early researchers in the field. Building on DE’s extensive history of research and technology innovation, the workshop will create an open stage for further extending discussions on research in DE, where delegates will have an opportunity to engage with experts and actively explore new areas of DE research. We invite all interested professionals to take part and discover the Workshop Themes by submitting their proposals.

Submissions should make a relevant contribution to the field and meet the customary academic requirements: clear aims/questions, methodology, contextualisation, results, conclusions and implications, and references.

Full text submissions must be in English, with careful language, spelling and grammar check. You are invited to send a 10-15 line summary, included in the file of your proposal, separately indicated as ‘Summary’. Authors are also expected to indicate how their research topic is related to the proposed framework of research areas (see workshop themes).

Submissions that relate to the Workshop Scope and one or more of the Workshop Themes are invited in the following categories by the deadline: August 31, 2016. You are encouraged to submit your proposal earlier than August 31 to support a speedy evaluation of the proposals and enhance your possibility to register early in time.

Contributions received will be continuously evaluated and authors informed accordingly.

Submit your contribution.

Paper presentations

Presentation of research results, reviews of existing results (including empirical or theoretical studies, policy reviews, comprehensive case studies), and project results that are in a conclusive phase.

Workshops

Hands-on, practical application of ODL methodologies and/or technologies within a workshop environment.

Posters

Work-in-progress, initial research results, projects in early stages of development, and case studies. Poster presentations will be themed in related sessions. Student researchers should indicate whether they plan to participate in the Research-in-Process competition.

Demonstrations

Showcase of practical innovation, products, technologies and tools. Demos offer an opportunity to exhibit prototypes and to exchange ideas and collect feedback from expert users.

Synergy sessions

Meetings of fellow project managers and researchers to share and discuss EU projects and initiatives – preferably that display thematic cross sections with conference themes.

Training sessions

Training sessions focusing on a particular topic, setting clear training objectives, competency areas and/or skills to be acquired by the participants– are invited.

Special fees will be available for students (full time studies, age limit 35 years).

Selection

Submissions undergo a double peer-review and are evaluated based primarily on originality, significance and quality of contribution, and relevance to workshop themes. Unique and innovative contributions that do not directly align with the workshop themes will also be considered if they are believed to bring benefit to delegates.

Publication

Accepted presentations (including posters) will be published in the Conference Proceedings. Registered delegates will have electronic access to the full version of contributions prior to the workshop. Publications will be openly accessible after the Workshop.

Selected authors will be invited to submit to a special issue of EURODL.

Acknowledgement of quality and excellence

The tradition of awarding the EDEN Best Research Paper will be continued. The selection process takes place in collaboration with the Ulrich Bernath Foundation for Research in Open and Distance Learning. In addition, a Best Poster award will be given with the help of the Organising Committee.

New! Early researchers will have the opportunity to give an elevator pitch at the Research in Process competition. Up to three winners will receive a free registration for presenting their research results in the form of a conference paper at the 2017 Annual EDEN Conference.

	Paper proposals should not exceed six A4 pages, including the 10-15 line summary, figures and references, using the format guidelines here.
	Poster submissions should not exceed four A4 pages, using the same format guidelines as above. Authors of posters accepted for presentation will be required to prepare a max. A0 (1189mm*841mm) size poster for display.
	For workshops, please use this template to provide a thorough description of the theme, the presentation structure and speakers. Workshop descriptions will be published in the electronic Conference Proceedings if they are elaborated and submitted as papers.
	Demonstration submissions should not exceed two A4 pages, and they must include a title, a short description, a summary of its novel characteristics, the features to be demonstrated and a statement of the contribution’s significance within a selection of conference themes, using the paper format guidelines. Web address to access the demo or visual aids (e.g. screen-shots) are welcome.
	Synergy submissions should be fitted into a specific template, not exceeding 1,5 A4 pages, including all data, information and illustrations.
	For trainings, please use this template to provide a thorough description of the theme, the presentation structure and speakers.

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