Lifelong Learning Conference

Lifelong Learning Conference logo

Education Studies

Registration for the 2025 Lifelong Learning Conference will open in March 2025.
Notice: Registrations completed after Friday, Jun. 13, 2025 may not receive a t-shirt or parking pass.

In an ever-evolving world, the need for continuous learning is more critical than ever. The conference will be a collaborative platform for local educators and SFA alumni to immerse themselves in an engaging learning community that shares innovative teaching practices and emerging research. This conference seeks to inspire and empower educators and communities to embrace lifelong learning as an integral part of their professional journey and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

We encourage submissions from diverse perspectives, including educators, practitioners and leaders. Our aim is to create a dynamic and engaging community that highlights innovative approaches, best practices and research findings in education. Preference will be given to presentations that highlight effective teaching strategies for diverse learners.

Learn what you can expect for the 2025 conference by viewing our 2024 Lifelong Learning Conference page.

Conference session types

Please note that there may be multiple presenters per session.

Workshop

Presenters will conduct a 60-minute interactive session on a specific topic that will lead to participants gaining new skills or knowledge by engaging participants in hands-on activities and collaborative discussions.

Roundtable

Presenters should be ready to facilitate a 15-minute presentation with five minutes available for questions. Then, the session facilitator will have participants rotate, so please be ready to present twice during this time. We recommend bringing a handout for participants.

Oral Presentation

Presenter will give a 20-minute formal presentation with 10 minutes for questions at the end of the session.

Panel Discussions

Panelists will participate in an engaging 60-minute conversation with one another and the audience based on moderator questions. Submissions will include panelists and an identified moderator.

Poster/Artwork

Posters will display current research, best practices or innovative teaching approaches on a large poster board. Presenters should have a five-minute presentation prepared as participants rotate.

Seven-Minute Graphic Talks

Presenters should be ready to facilitate a seven-minute presentation with three minutes for questions. We recommend preparing an image only slide deck for this rapid-fire session. Presenters will deliver an automatically timed slide presentation of 21 slides (visual, not bullets), each lasting 20 seconds.

Alternate Formats (submissions that do not fit into the above categories)

When developing proposals, consider the following Texas Education Agency continuing professional education topics:

  • Collecting and analyzing information that will improve effectiveness in the classroom
  • Recognizing early warning indicators that a student may be at risk of dropping out of school
  • Educating diverse student populations, including:
    • students who are educationally disadvantaged
    • students at risk of dropping out of school
  • Understanding appropriate relationships, boundaries and communications between educators and students
  • Digital learning, digital teaching and integrating technology into classroom instruction

Conference track

Aiming to cater to the diverse needs and expertise of educators attending the Lifelong Learning Conference, we offer both a novice track and an advanced track. This ensures every participant finds valuable and relevant content, contributing to the enhancement of their professional development.

Novice track

The novice track is designed to cater to educators who are in the early stages of their careers or are new to a particular teaching methodology or subject area.

Advanced track

The advanced track is tailored for experienced educators seeking to deepen their expertise, explore cutting-edge practices, push the boundaries of traditional teaching methods and embrace innovation for their sustained professional growth.

Proposal submission template

  1. Title of proposal: Enter a clear and concise title for your proposal
  2. Author(s): Name, affiliation, contact information for all author(s)
  3. Abstract: A summary of your proposal (50 words)
  4. Keywords: List three to five key words
  5. Key takeaways: Applicable information that attendees can use in their practice
  6. Session type: Select the most appropriate session type for your presentation
  7. Track: Novice or advanced
  8. Audio-visual requirements: List any specific audio-visual equipment or materials you will need for your presentation.

Proposals blind peer reviewing criteria

As we aim to ensure the highest quality of presentations and sessions at the Lifelong Learning Conference, we have established the following criteria for the review of proposals. Each proposal will be evaluated based on the following aspects:

  • Relevance to the conference theme
  • Originality: The proposal presents innovative ideas, methods, approaches or offers creative solutions to current educational challenges.
  • Quality of the content: The content is well-researched, relevant and supported by evidence or examples. Priority will be given to proposals aligned to CPEs.
  • Practical application: The proposal provides practical and actionable insights.
  • Audience engagement: The proposal encourages active participation and interaction among attendees.
  • Diversity and inclusivity: The proposal promotes inclusivity and considers diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences.
  • Clarity: The proposal is well-structured with a clear introduction, content and conclusion.

Each proposal will be reviewed by a panel of experts based on these criteria, and scores will be assigned for each aspect. Submissions that received higher scores in these categories will be given preference for inclusion in the conference program, ensuring that attendees benefit from the most valuable and insightful sessions.

Join us in the quest to unlock the potential of lifelong learning, shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for all. We look forward to your valuable contributions to this important discourse. Together, we can make a difference and prepare ourselves for the challenges and opportunities that the future holds.

Contact

Lifelong Learning Conference

Carrie Wright-Davis, conference co-chair
carrie.wright@sfasu.edu

Heather Olson Beal, conference co-chair
olsonbehk@sfasu.edu