U.P. Teaching and Learning Conference

Hosted by Bay College

UPTLC 2024

The 2024 Upper Peninsula Teaching and Learning Conference (UPTLC) will be hosted by Bay College in Escanaba, Michigan, May 13-14, 2024. The pre-conference will take place on Monday, May 13th, featuring interactive workshops offered during two different time blocks from 1:00-4:30pm Eastern Time. The full-day conference will be held on Tuesday, May 14th, from 8:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Time. This year's theme is Embracing Change: Meeting the Needs of Modern Learners. This theme captures the ongoing challenges wrought by the pandemic, the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and increased awareness of the diverse academic and mental health needs of today’s learners. This conference will create a community of educators invested in honing human and technological skills for successful, sustainable teaching and learning. 

The conference includes pre-conference interactive workshops, optional social activities, and a full conference day of concurrent sessions, poster sessions, and “Birds of a Feather” gathering time. We're excited to share four timely conference tracks:

• Teaching techniques for online, hybrid, or virtual learning 
• Teaching and learning in the age of AI 
• Engaging modern learners 
• Self-care for college students and/or college employees

The UPTLC is a regional conference focused on the practice and scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education and K-12 education. The UPTLC creates a space for educators to connect, learn, share, and continue growing skills for teaching and learning. We invite educators and educational staff/administration to submit presentation proposals and/ or attend this conference.

Please visit this link to read the Call for Proposals and to submit your proposal.

The deadline for proposals has been extended to March 1st, 2024.

Please visit this link for the conference schedule, registration and payment. 

• May 13th Preconference is $49.00. Coffee and snacks included
• May 14th Full Day Conference is $99.00. Breakfast and lunch included
• State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH) will be offered at the UPTLC
  
• Please register by May 5

Join us for an unforgettable experience at the Upper Hand Brewery Tour on May 13th at 6pm. Immerse yourself in the artistry of craft brewing as we guide you through our facility. Witness firsthand the passion and dedication that goes into creating our exceptional brews.

Before the tour begins, indulge in the flavors of Michigan's Upper Peninsula with our bar open from 5-8pm, serving a selection of our finest craft brews. Savor the unique tastes that reflect our belief in doing what we love, where we love, with the people we love.

“At Upper Hand Brewery, we believe that life’s mission is to do what we love, where we love, with the people we love. For us, that means brewing the best beer we can in the best place on Earth: Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula.”

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the spirit of Upper Hand Brewery firsthand. Join us and let's raise a glass to the beauty of craft beer and the Upper Peninsula! We will either have a food truck on site or order wood fired pizza from Breezy Point Restaurant to eat at Upper Hand.  

Lodging

Terrace Bay Hotel
7146 P Rd
Gladstone, MI 49837
(906) 786-7554

The room rate will be $109.00 standard and $119.00 for lake. Every room will include 2 Biggby vouchers that will cover a food item and any drink. The Hotel Conference code is (BayConference2024).

Theme

Embracing Change: Meeting the Needs of Modern Learners

This year’s theme captures the ongoing changes wrought by the pandemic, the proliferation of AI, and increased awareness of the diverse needs of today’s learners. According to “24 Stats for 2024,” a recent Inside Higher Ed compilation of higher education data:

• “Nineteen percent of teens who know about ChatGPT have used it for schoolwork.

• Forty-six percent of faculty members say their students come to them with a mental health concern multiple times per month or more.

• Seventy percent of students prefer hybrid or fully digital courses over face-to-face instruction.

• Forty-eight percent of students doubted their ability to succeed in college when enrolling.

• Employees who acquire AI expertise could see their pay grow 35 percent or more, depending on their departments” (Mowreader).

Learners and educators alike are navigating a new landscape, and the blend of human needs and technological advancements create challenges and opportunities. We intend this conference to be a place to gather, learn, share, and grow our skills together.

Tracks

Teaching techniques for online, hybrid, or virtual learning

The pandemic accelerated widespread adoption of various online, hybrid, and virtual learning modalities. These modalities are becoming more popular among learners for various reasons. How can we best engage learners in online, hybrid, or virtual learning environments to ensure connection and learning? 

Teaching and learning in the age of AI

Artificial Intelligence has proliferated in a short amount of time, creating challenges and opportunities for learners and educators alike. How can we prepare learners for an AI-enabled future while grappling with ethical and practical complexities of these technologies? 

Engaging modern learners

Today's learners have lived through a pandemic,  seen participation in social media and AI grow exponentially, and heard debates about free speech, book bans, and the usefulness of college. Educators are working to create learning experiences amidst these sweeping cultural shifts. Additionally, we see increasing awareness of diverse needs in and out of the classroom. How can we understand and best engage today’s learners? 

Self-care for college students and/or college employees

In this time of pandemic aftershocks, ensuring individual and collective well-being is critical for students and all college employees. We’ve seen increased awareness of mental health needs, as well as the power of well-being and belonging to student and employee success. How can we best care for ourselves and others?