Annual ACRES Conference

Session Format Options for Presenters

The ACRES Conference Organizers are pleased to announce that we have made some changes to to the session types available in this year's Call for Proposals so please read carefully.

NOTE: ACRES provides a standard projector for presentations and panels. Presenters must bring ALL other necessary equipment, including speakers and adapters (typically for Mac users). Wi-Fi is provided by conference hotels so ACRES cannot guarantee quality or speed of connections during presentations. All presenters should plan to attend in person.

Single Presentation

Sessions are 50 minutes in length. Each session may have one or several authors who describe their work and respond to questions from participants. ACRES will provide a standard projector, table, and screen in each presentation room. Presenters must bring their own computer or tablet or smart phone as well as any speakers or adapters needed to connect their device to a standard projector.

Double Presentation Session

These 50-min sessions will include two presentations on a shared topic or theme related to rural special education. Before arriving at the conference, ACRES will provide contact information for each first author so that presenters may organize the session. For example, each talk may be 25 minutes including Q & A, or perhaps 20 minutes each + 10 minutes combined Q & A. 

Interactive Poster Sessions

Posters have become an increasingly popular method for presentation at ACRES as they promote wonderful interactions between researchers and conference participants. A poster presentation is a formal, research-based presentation of your work. This presentation provides a visual representation of your research through text, charts, graphs, and other visual aids. All posters will be shared in a large area with other presenters. We will provide display boards and push pins. Posters should be no more than 36 x 48 inches, or 3x4 feet.

Roundtable Sessions

The Roundtable is a discussion rather than a lecture or poster presentation. Each roundtable will be 15 minutes in length and repeated 3 times during the session, giving attendees an opportunity to visit three tables within the 50-minute session. ACRES will provide a table and chairs; no other equipment will be available. Projectors are not used during these sessions, but presenters may wish to use a laptop to display relevant information or prepare a 1-page handout for attendees. Sessions are self-organized; participants should facilitate their own discussion.

Skill-Builder’s Workshop

These 50-minute sessions are similar to single presentations but must teach a specific skill, technology, curriculum or evaluation tool that supports work in rural special education settings. Demonstration is expected and, when possible, an opportunity for hands-on time is recommended. All Exhibitors will have the opportunity to conduct one Skill Builders Workshop during the conference. Workshops may be held in breakout rooms (with seats in classroom style rows) or in a ballroom (with round tables and no audio-visual equipment such as projectors). Presenters will be asked to state their preference during the submission process. We will honor requests if possible but cannot guarantee availability of specific spaces.

Panel Discussion

This thematic 50-minute presentation provides a coordinated discussion by 2-4 panelists, organized by a chair serving as a moderator or discussant who highlights and synthesizes the primary themes of the presentations to advance the topic. Panel discussions offer rich audience interaction with experts on a particular theme or topic.

Birds of a Feather Networking Tables

During the poster session, tables will be provided for those who are seeking semi-structured opportunities to identify shared interests, build networks, explore ideas around specific topics, ask for feedback, and promote opportunities for collaboration. For example, have you been incubating an idea for a new project or need advice on getting a new project off the ground? Conference Attendees may use this opportunity to recruit participants, conduct brief focus groups, or seek feedback from our ‘seasoned’ members. 

New this year:

• You can request a table in advance (see submission form) or come to the registration desk on the first day of the conference (Thursday) to request a table.
• Graduate and doctoral students are encouraged to submit topics for discussion with leadership from FOCUS (Future-Oriented Colleagues in Universities and Schools)
• Each ACRES Committee Chair (or their designee) will lead a table for members interested in joining the work of the organization.

Questions?

Questions related to the preliminary schedule, session rooms, and available equipment should be directed to: Kim Floyd at Kim.Floyd@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-4387