Thank you for your interest in submitting a professional development session proposal for Oktoberbest 2025, which will take place on October 17, 2025.
Oktoberbest features engaging presentations on innovative approaches to teaching, assessment, course design, creative student learning opportunities, and the successful implementation of new strategies and best practices by USC faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and staff.
The goal of Oktoberbest is to create an environment where attendees can actively engage in sessions that enhance teaching practices and foster meaningful connections. The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) invites proposals for professional development sessions from USC faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and staff that align with this goal.
Session Information
This call for proposals seeks 30-minute interactive sessions. Presentations should encourage active participation, collaboration, and learning through activities such as discussions, interactive problem solving, and guided reflections. Presenters are encouraged to create an immersive environment that promotes engagement and a deeper understanding of the topic. The aim is to go beyond sharing individual teaching practices and help other instructors learn how to apply or implement your ideas.
Proposal Submission Timeline
- Submissions Open: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
- Submission Deadline: Friday, August 22, 2025
- Acceptance Notifications: Monday, September 8, 2025
Accepted presenters will meet with a CTE member by late September to discuss their session.
Submit the following information through the Online Proposal Submission Form.
Session Title: Craft a concise and compelling title that aligns with your topic and the Oktoberbest symposium's goal. (12-word limit)
Session Description: Provide a session description (300-word limit)
Your description should include:
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A description of your session’s actionable takeaways for attendees.
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A description of how the session will facilitate attendee learning. Focus on how you will teach attendees about your teaching practice, how it will impact the classroom and beyond, how you will demonstrate your implementation of these strategies, and how others can apply them in their teaching contexts.
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An outline or description of the engagement methods you plan to use. Engagement methods may include Q&A sessions, group discussions, individual reflection, sharing, and other creative ideas.
Session Learning Outcomes: Define 1-3 clear learning outcomes that detail what attendees will be able to do after actively participating in your session. Each outcome must be specific, measurable, and directly related to your session's topic. (90-word limit)
Session Abstract: The session abstract will be used in the Oktoberbest symposium program upon proposal acceptance. It provides attendees with context on your topic, so be sure that the abstract aligns with your presentation. (100-word limit)
On the Online Proposal Submission Form you will be asked to indicate which concurrent session(s) you are available to present, if selected. Check ALL the timeslots that you would be available to present. Multiple selections are encouraged.
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Concurrent Session I |
11:10 – 11:40 am |
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Concurrent Session II |
1:00 – 1:30 pm |
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Concurrent Session II |
1:40 – 2:10 pm |
Inclusive Strategies
The language used in each presentation should be inclusive. All content should be meticulously examined to remove any language that may be considered marginalizing, including terms that are ableist, gender-specific, or racially insensitive. The proposed presentation should be free from such language.
Universal Design Principles
The objective of applying Universal Design Principles to presentations is to guarantee that all materials, discussions, and activities are accessible to every attendee. This includes the use of high-contrast color schemes, the selection of readable sans-serif typefaces, and the provision of diverse ways to participate. These principles should be incorporated into the design of the presentation. If you want help incorporating these techniques into your session, please contact CTE upon acceptance.
Questions?
Contact Director, Matt E. Thatcher at [email protected] for more information.