Conference Theme: Frontiers on the Horizon

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The 2024 TYCA-NE Regional Conference will explore frontiers on the horizon: the challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic educational landscape transformed by the introduction of Artificial Intelligence and other innovative technologies. We remind ourselves that, at this convergence of ideas and innovation, we must envision a horizon where the frontiers are not just boundaries but bridges, connecting us to a future filled with hope and endless opportunities. 

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Topics the conference might explore include (but are not limited to):

• How do we keep the ship of college writing afloat in uncharted waters? How do faculty, administration, and support personnel organize and advocate for the future of writing in the community college? 

• How do we help writers succeed despite eroding support for developmental writing?

• How can we better serve the evolving needs of second-language learners?

• What strategies can we employ to tailor our teaching to support students of color and first generation students? How do we support their retention and academic literacy, for example?

• In what ways do we notice language practices changing as writers find new ways to engage new and emerging technologies? How might these changes impact our pedagogies? How can faculty use these technologies to foster meaningful collaboration among writers?

• As generative AI becomes increasingly mainstream, how might we predict these technologies impacting our classrooms and pedagogy? What have we experienced from our first semester(s) with AI tools?  What strategies have you used to integrate AI technology?

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Presentations do not need to explicitly address this year’s theme, but they must connect to the broader ongoing themes of the Two-Year College English Association such as: 

• First-year writing

• Developmental education

• College reading

• Teaching English to speakers of other languages

• Intermediate composition

• The role of contingent faculty

• Online teaching/distance learning

• Literature & creative writing

• Writing centers and other learning assistance programs

• Program administration and innovation

• Administration

• Community engagement

• Communications

• Linguistics

• Technical and/or business writing

• Professional development

• Teacher-scholar activism

• Teacher-training for a two-year college

 

TYCA NE accepts proposals which:

• Are interactive and actively engage audience members. 

• Provide strategies and/or tools that can be immediately employed in the classroom.

• Use slide decks, apps, or other presentation methodologies rather than reading from a manuscript such as academic paper or book.

 

Guidelines for Proposals:

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Proposals will be accepted through the online form provided. All proposals should:

• Summarize the content of the individual presentation or panel.

• Identify the target audience.

• Indicate relevance to the conference either through connection to the year’s theme or to the broader concerns of TYCA.

 

We invite talks which adhere to the following formats:

 

20-Minute Individual Presentations 

 

A short presentation from one presenter. Individual presentations will be combined with one other presentation that focuses on similar topics and/or areas of English studies. 20 minutes of each session will be reserved for questions and discussion with attendees. ​

 

50-Minute Panel Presentations

A full session on a focused topic organized entirely by the authors of the proposal. Panel discussions should have at least three speakers who collaborate with each other to organize a cohesive session. Presenters may determine the format and delivery methods for the session based on the focus, purpose, and goals of the presentation but should leave time at the end of the session (10 minutes recommended) for questions or other interaction with the audience. 

 

Please provide:

• A 250-word proposal

• A 50-word abstract which may be used in programming materials

• Names and information for all presenters