Papers

Categories of submissions for ALT-C 2004

We welcome two types of submission:

• research papers for publication in the peer-reviewed Proceedings of ALT-C 2004 (this will be allocated an ISBN) - up to 6000 words;
• short papers, symposia, workshops, demonstrations and posters - as up to 300 word abstracts (up to 500 words in the case of symposia).

Information for submitters

• The closing date for submitting Research Papers was Friday 12 March 2004.
• The closing date for submitting Abstracts of short papers, symposia, workshops, demonstrations and posters was Tuesday 30 March.

All primary contacts will be informed of their proposal status by the beginning of May 2004.

Process for submitting research papers for refereeing and abstracts to be reviewed

Except by specific arrangement with Rhonda Riachi, the Director of ALT, research papers and abstracts must be submitted to us using our new web-based paper-submission system. This went live on 19/2/2004. Note that this is the first year in which we have used such a system, and that for this reason we will be monitoring its operation closely. In case of difficulty, please email Rhonda Riachi, or call +44 (0)1865 484125.

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Research paper guidelines

Awards

All presented research papers will be considered by the Conference Committee for an Outstanding Research Paper Award. To receive this award, both of the anonymous reviewers and the Conference Committee must agree with the statement: This paper presents a significant work that advances the field of learning technology with particular respect to a conference theme.

Style samples

If you are intending to submit a research paper for consideration, please take note of, rather than be constrained by, the style samples which we use for ALT-J. These can be accessed from our publisher's web site.

We strongly prefer authors to format research papers according to this template [19 kB DOC].

Criteria

Definitive Guidelines for submitting Research Papers for ALT-C 2004 can be downloaded as a 90 kB PDF. What follows is a summary.

The maximum word count is 6,000 words. This includes everything: from the title to the references. Longer papers will not be accepted. For your file to be accepted it must be formatted as a Microsoft Word 6.0/95 file (.doc or .rtf), of 10mb of less, including diagrams (if any). To avoid upload problems ensure that there are no spaces or punctuation in the filename, and that there are 40 or less characters before the 'dot'.

Papers need to address the conference title - Blue skies and pragmatism - learning technologies for the next decade - and one or more of the conference themes. Furthermore, submissions to the Research Papers strand should cover, as a minimum, two essential criteria.

1. Theory. Research must have a sound theoretical basis.
2. Methodology. The paper must present the research in the context of a qualitative or quantitative methodology.

Papers would normally also be expected to address at least one of these three desirable criteria.

1. Users. Research should demonstrate engagement with a community of users, and that use should be evaluated.
2. Interdisciplinarity. Work that crosses disciplines - for example, computer science and education - is welcomed.
3. Breadth. Work should show a readiness to engage in broad scientific debate about discipline-level enquiry in the field.

Note. ALT is determined to establish the area of learning technology as a discipline in its own right; any submission whose quality and distinctiveness support this ambition will be considered, even if the focus lies slightly outside the boundaries delineated by the above criteria.

If you have any queries related to the Research Papers strand, please email the Research Papers Editor, Dr John Cook.

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Guidelines for other paper types

Definitive Guidelines for submitting short papers, symposia, workshops, demonstrations and posters for ALT-C 2004 can be downloaded as a 90 kB PDF. What follows is a summary.

The other types of presentation for which we invite proposals, in the form of abstracts, are:

• workshops (45 or 90 minutes);
• short papers (15 minutes, as part of a 60-90 minute session);
• symposia (60 minutes);
• posters;
• demonstrations.

To enable participation by as wide a range of presenters as possible we will restrict contributions to a maximum of two per person (individual or joint). Abstracts for other conference presentation formats will also undergo a peer review process against the criteria for presentation at the conference.

Workshops (45 or 90 minutes - 300 word abstract)

Workshops involve active participation and discussion with the focus on participants being able to develop skills, conceptual understanding or practical ideas for future implementation in their own practice. We will particularly welcome proposals for workshops which enhance the ability of participants to evaluate, research or reflect on their practice, including opportunities for dissemination.
A workshop might also take the form of a 'master class' where, for example, an aspect of research or evaluation is dealt with in more depth and might be aimed at 'new' researchers.

Short papers (15 minutes as part of a 90-minute session - 300 word abstract)

Four 15-minute short paper presentations, followed by 25 minutes for general discussion. Contributors should submit their individual proposals and the programme committee will organise the groups thematically. The conference organisers may also invite proposers of short papers that address a common theme to present as a chaired symposium. Short papers are likely to reflect work in progress, innovations or other developments.

Symposia (60 minutes - 500 word abstract)

Two or three presentations around a theme followed by whole group discussion. Proposers should submit details of the theme of their symposium, presenters and abstracts for the individual presentations, within an overall 500 word limit.

Posters (300 word abstract)

These are a way to visually share information such as research findings, innovative application and evaluation within a course, or the impact on student learning of a development. Whilst posters should be self-explanatory and can usefully be accompanied by handouts, presenters will be expected to be available to discuss their work at specified times during the conference.

Demonstrations (15 to 30 minutes - 300 word abstract)

These give an opportunity for participants to engage with practical examples of the use of learning technologies in learning, teaching and assessment. Presenters will be available to demonstrate and discuss their work.

If you have any queries related to other paper types, please email Rhonda Riachi.

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Other conference sessions

The conference format will enable participants to experience a variety of sessions as best suits their preferred approach.

Keynote presentations

Presenting the 'bigger picture' under the main conference theme of Blue skies and pragmatism - learning technologies for the next decade.

Invited speakers

A new departure for the conference will be contributions from invited speakers who will each take a theme for exploration. These sessions will provide the opportunity to share knowledge and experience under one of the eight sub-themes, and to allow for reflection, evaluation and drawing up further action. Each invited speaker will present on the last day of the conference, and will draw on the experience of participants from other conference sessions. Following these presentations there will be discussion sessions on each theme to allow conference attendees to share their views.