10 a.m. - 11 a.m. / Online Daily Show

Description: This is your daily talk show on distance and online learning. Topics will be taken from the NDLW, current topics, ed tech trends and whatever else caffeine, time and popular culture allows.

Presenters: Farah Bennani, Diana Montealegre, Kae Novak

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. / AI: The Great Disequilibrium Panel

Description: This panel will discuss the adaptive expectations, adaptive learning, heuristic switching and rational/irrational behavior you are seeing at your institution concerning AI. It will also attempt to answer the question that is always asked when systems are in disequilibrium - should you accelerate or brake?

Presenters: Chris Luchs, Community College of Denver and Jim Vernon, Aims Community College

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. / AI for All Minds: Lessons from Neurodiversity to Transform Learning

Description: AI isn’t just a tool—it’s your next teammate. Diagnosed with autism and ADD at 39, Josh draws on lived neurodivergent insight to show how designing with difference unlocks innovation. Through metaphors, examples, and practical strategies, participants learn how “structured freedom” transforms learning into adaptive, inclusive, and systemic change.

Presenters: Josh Penzell, Founder & CEO, Imagination Applied

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. / Online Daily Show

Description: This is your daily talk show on distance and online learning. Topics will be taken from the NDLW, current topics, ed tech trends and whatever else caffeine, time and popular culture allows.

Presenters: Farah Bennani, Diana Montealegre, Kae Novak

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. / AI: Friend or Foe for Learning & Development?

Description: There’s no skirting around it: AI is here to stay and not everyone is happy about it. This session will focus on the perspective of two Learning and Development professionals who have embraced AI to do more than just generate quiz questions and write learning objectives. Both presenters are seasoned instructional designers who decided to embrace AI to help create engaging, enjoyable, and efficient learning environments for all learners in all contexts. In this lesson you’ll learn how you leverage the power of AI to create incredible learning experiences on a dime. The rise of AI means we are no longer tied to expensive and bulky learning management systems, expensive programs (like Articulate Rise), and ugly looking interfaces. With AI, anyone can create unique learning experiences, with some imagination, and some persistence.

Presenters: Michael Lampe, UCHealth and Adam Barragato, Bien-Air Medical Technologies

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. / Reframing RSI: Your Best Defense Against AI Misuse

Description: The most effective defense against inappropriate AI use isn’t policing—it’s motivation. Research shows that two forces reliably raise intrinsic motivation: instructor enthusiasm and structured peer interaction. Together, they create more engaged, accountable learners and drive stronger outcomes.

Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) provides the framework for this two-pronged approach, while reporting ensures both pieces are deployed and working. For instructors, reporting highlights where their limited time can make the biggest impact. For institutions, it guides best practices and helps sustain teaching excellence at scale.

This session will explore how to align RSI, reporting, and high-impact teaching strategies into an efficient, research-backed model that strengthens student engagement and makes learning more resilient in the age of AI.

Presenters: Marcus Popetz, Harmonize and Alyson Mike

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. / Online Daily Show

Description: This is your daily talk show on distance and online learning. Topics will be taken from the NDLW, current topics, ed tech trends and whatever else caffeine, time and popular culture allows.

Presenters: Farah Bennani, Diana Montealegre, Kae Novak

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. / Finding the Balance: Addressing the AI Disequilibrium

Description: This session explores strategies to mitigate the imbalances created by the rapid development and deployment of AI tools in education. How do we provide equal access to students, faculty, and instructors using both free and pay tools? How do we preserve critical thinking and build AI literacy?

Presenters: Matt Stilwell, Front Range Community College

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. / Creating the Conditions for Student Voice and Agency in Online Learning

Description: Empowering students to share their voices and take ownership of their learning is key to building meaningful online experiences. This webinar will explore strategies and tools for fostering student agency in digital classrooms, highlighting practices that encourage authentic participation, collaboration, and self-directed learning. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating supportive online environments where learners feel heard, valued, and motivated to engage.

Presenters: Dr. Heather Young, University of Florida; Debra Olbeding, Yellowdig; Victoria Dela Cruz, Yellowdig, and Alessandra Puilen, Yellowdig

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. / Online Daily Show

Description: This is your daily talk show on distance and online learning. Topics will be taken from the NDLW, current topics, ed tech trends and whatever else caffeine, time and popular culture allows.

Presenters: Farah Bennani, Diana Montealegre, Kae Novak

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. / See, Ask, Discover: Bringing Experts & Experiences to Your Learners in Real Time

Description: Discover how live virtual field trips connect students with experts from museums, labs, and historic sites. Learn practical strategies for curriculum integration, explore a hands-on planning tool, and experience a live demo from a field specialist. Inspire curiosity, engagement, and real-world learning in every classroom.

Presenters: Allyson Mitchell, Center for Interactive Learning & Collaboration

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. / Panel Discussion: Building Peer Connections and Social Capital in Online Learning

Description: Building strong connections is vital to online student success. In this panel, higher ed leaders will share how digital communities foster belonging, peer support, and social capital—helping students persist and thrive. Attendees will gain strategies to engage diverse learners, scale support through resource sharing, and boost retention and outcomes.

Presenters: Katy Kappler, InScribe, Sarah Rasmussen, Dakota State University, and Nathan Watson, Lindenwood University

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. / Online Daily Show

Description: This is your daily talk show on distance and online learning. Topics will be taken from the NDLW, current topics, ed tech trends and whatever else caffeine, time and popular culture allows.

Presenters: Farah Bennani, Diana Montealegre, Kae Novak

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. / The AI Transforming Learning and Launching Careers

Description: Higher education is uniquely positioned to address 'The Great AI Disequilibrium,' where the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence outpaces the ability of individuals and institutions to adapt. This keynote will examine the critical role of colleges and universities in preparing students for an AI-driven workforce, reshaping curricula, and fostering lifelong learning. Attendees will gain insights into how higher education can bridge the gap between AI's transformative potential and the skills required for future careers.

The session will also feature live demonstrations of cutting-edge AI tools that are transforming education and professional pathways—showcasing how these technologies can be leveraged to empower students, enhance teaching, and create seamless transitions from college to careers. Join us to explore how higher education can lead the charge in creating a more equitable and innovative future in the age of AI.

Presenters: Dr. Robbie Melton, Tennessee State University