06/15/2020

CSCA 2021 Convention - Great Ideas for Teaching (GIFT) Interest Group Call for Papers and Panels

Great Ideas for Teaching (GIFT) Interest Group
Call for Papers and Panels

Central States Communication Association (CSCA)
Annual Convention-Cincinnati, Ohio
March 23-28, 2021

Inspire

On behalf of the GIFT Interest Group leadership, I welcome you to prepare your submissions for the 2021 CSCA Conference in Cincinnati, OH. This year’s theme is Inspire, and we are looking forward to discussing the many innovative strategies that you use to inspire your students in our communication classrooms.

The Great Ideas for Teaching (GIFT) Interest Group provides members with an opportunity to share exceptional teaching activities and assignments to enhance pedagogical approaches in the ever-changing communication discipline. Traditionally, GIFT submissions have focused on public speaking, interpersonal, small group, organizational, and hybrid courses; however, we encourage creative submissions from any facet of our discipline, including activities designed for online teaching. We especially encourage members to address issues related to the convention theme, Inspire, considering, but not limited to, inspiring:

1. Inclusivity and diversity in the classroom;
2. Nuanced understandings of complex and difficult-to-navigate topics;
3. Strategies for building relationships with students;
4. Preparedness for becoming an engaged and critical citizen;
5. Innovative strategies for engaging students with abstract concepts;
6. Respectful dialogue regarding difficult difference;
7. Enhanced appreciation for the communication discipline.

Although the recent programming of the GIFT Interest Group has not included proposed panels, the interest group is not opposed to, but rather encourages such submissions. The GIFT Interest Group has a strong traditional of engaging presenters with participants to create an environment of collaboration, and panel submissions should include this as part of their panel. Panel submissions should also consider at least one of the following in how the panel:

1. Advances pedagogical skills in communication classrooms;
2. Provides opportunity for dialogue in issues of communication pedagogy;
3. Workshops aspects of effective instruction in communication classrooms;
4. Other issues as they pertain to pedagogy and instruction in communication classrooms.

In terms of panels, preference will be given to those with panelists representing multiple institutions rather than representing a single institution.

Below, you will find guidelines for how to submit to the GIFT Interest Group.

Activities: Only completed activities will be accepted. A sample structure for the paper is available here: http://csca-gift.blogspot.com/p/about.html. Submissions should include:

• Title of the activity
• Course(s) for which the activity is intended.
• Clear objective(s) of the activity.
• Rationale for conducting the activity.
• Description of the activity, including any preparation/preliminary steps and materials needed.
• Debriefing of the activity, including typical results.
• Appraisal of the activity, including any limitations or variations.
• References and/or suggested readings.
• Submissions must be no longer than two pages (excluding references, handouts, etc.) and have any identification removed for peer review.
• Graduate student submissions should type “STUDENT” on the upper right-hand corner of the title page.
• If the paper will be a graduate student debut, please type “DEBUT STUDENT” on the upper right-hand corner of the title page. 
• To be considered a graduate student debut paper:
  • the author must be a graduate student,
  • the paper must have single authorship, and
  • the paper must be the author’s first paper to be presented at CSCA.

Panels: Panel submissions should include the following in their submission:

• Name and institutional affiliation of the panelists.
• Title of the panel.
• Brief description of the goals of the panel.
• Brief description of what attendees should expect during the panel.
• Brief description regarding:
  • The justification of the need of the panel (including relevant literature) and
  • Its relevance to the goals of the GIFT Interest Group

All technology requests must be made at the time of submission. Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM, CDT, October 9, 2020. Send submissions electronically through our online system via the CSCA website. More information can be found here: https://csca-net.org/aws/CSCA/asset_manager/get_file/355187?ver=2666. It would be beneficial to create a profile on the CSCA convention webpage to help with the later steps of submitting to the conference. Membership is not required to create a profile.

We are all looking forward to an inspiring convention, and I am looking forward to a wonderful pool of submissions for the 2021 conference! Please do not hesitate to contact us at cscagiftdiv@gmail.com with any questions, comments, and/or concerns.

Wishing you all the best,

Robert D. Hall and the GIFT Interest Group Leadership