The recent DELTA-Con 2024 unconference brought together instructors and instructional support professionals from seven different institutions. The event involves participant-driven sessions in which the attendees determine the session topics, fostering rich discussions and valuable networking opportunities on what matters most in the moment.
One participant noted, “Getting to network and see folks across the state that I don’t always get to catch up with was fantastic!” This sentiment was echoed by many, emphasizing the value of building professional relationships and exchanging ideas. The unconference format encouraged discussions across various academic areas, and this diversity of perspectives was highly valued by participants. “Hearing from others in different departments and schools was enlightening,” said one NC State faculty member.
Recap of Sessions and Key Takeaways
AI in Education: The use of AI for writing objectives and creating rubrics was a hot topic. Participants explored various AI tools and discussed their potential benefits and challenges. Resources like this new AI aligned with Bloom’s Taxonomy chart and the collection of AI policies from around the UNC System were shared.
Professional Development: The conference covered new strategies for creating professional development programs that prioritize accessibility, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in education. There was a lot of discussion about badges and micro-credentials, with a focus on how to ensure their value and appeal to their intended audience. When creating effective marketing materials to communicate these initiatives, it was deemed crucial to explain how, when and why these badges will be used. As an alternative to traditional professional development, the introduction of new faculty mentoring programs, aimed at fostering connections and professional growth, was a significant highlight.
Accessibility and UDL: Groups discussed that Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is about more than accessibility — it’s about fostering student success. Implementing UDL practices can help students become expert learners.
Blended/Hybrid Learning: The concept of bichronous online learning, which blends asynchronous and synchronous modalities, was introduced. This approach can enhance the flexibility and effectiveness of online education. Learn more: What are bisynchronous classes? by Alexandra Frost, 2023
Student Wellness and Belonging: Strategies for providing grace and flexibility to students while maintaining academic standards were discussed to support student success. The focus was on addressing the growing need for student health programs and accommodations. Practical systems such as using Google Forms for extension requests were suggested to reduce emotional labor for both students and instructors. When it comes to creating a sense of belongingness in a class, emphasis was placed on basic practices that are easy to implement. Building and increasing rapport with students can be achieved through the use of timely, relevant announcements, inclusion of diverse content and creating opportunities to check in with students.
Trends in Digital Learning: The key trend that emerged was the importance of creating a sense of community using digital tools. Yellowdig, an instructional tool available at NC State that provides a discussion platform to connect learners and empower educators, was highlighted as an effective vehicle to achieve this goal. Other simple solutions were also offered such as implementing collaborative note-taking, encouraging students to share notes as a way to discover new ideas while fostering student connections.
DELTA-Con 2024 offered participants a wealth of insights and practical strategies to enhance their teaching and support practices. This annual unconference never fails to energize the participants — so join us next year! As one participant aptly summarized, “The fellowship is the best part. Connecting with colleagues and exchanging ideas is invaluable.”
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