- Interactive Workshop: Interactive workshops are 45- or 90-minute sessions during which presenters engage the audience in collaboratively working out a problem (most commonly, a design or instructional challenge or an analysis of data). They are highly participatory and include discussion and/or debriefing following the activity. Although the structure of each workshop is up to the discretion of the presenters, we encourage hands-on, interactive sessions that focus on the use and/or implications of games in everyday classrooms, informal learning environments, and beyond.
- Symposium: Symposium sessions are groups of two 30-minute presentations or three 20-minute presentations that are thematically related. Each symposium concludes with a (30-minute) period of Q&A from the audience, but we especially welcome presentations that maintain a high level of engagement and interaction among participants throughout. Symposia focus on selected topics considered important to the understanding of games, learning, and society. Presenters within symposia are encouraged to discuss their presentations among the symposium group beforehand in order to build on common themes and to arrange a respondent for their presentations in advance.
- Individual Presentation: Like symposium sessions, individual presentation sessions include either two 30-minute presentations or three 20-minute presentations. Unlike symposia, however, each individual presentation session is also assigned a Respondent (see description below) whose job it is to comment on the presentations and brainstorm issues they collectively raise. Again, we especially welcome presentations that maintain a high level of engagement and interaction among participants; however, it is especially up to the Respondent to promote interaction among the authors and audience by guiding the 30-minute follow-up discussion. Proposals for individual presentations, therefore, should focus on the contents of their talk and leave the rest to us.
- Debate: A 45- or 90-minute moderated debate between two participants on a key issue related to conference themes. In your proposal, please provide an overview of the session, including an argument as to why the chosen debate topic is important and relevant, and the names and bios of each individual participant (both debaters and the moderator).
- Respondent: Respondents for individual presentation sessions (described above) promote interaction among the authors and audience by guiding discussion of the issues the session presentations collectively raise. We especially welcome individuals with a willingness to engage in dialogue with the authors in advance of the event in order to tease out what are felt to be important themes and issues among those involved. Respondents are responsible for facilitating the 30-minute Q&A period following individual presentations, yet may use that time at their discretion.
- Chat 'n' Frag Session: This year we are hosting a GLS Lounge which will include a gameroom featuring Chat 'n' Frag sessions with selected game researchers, designers, and/or players. The purpose of these informal sessions is to enable interested game aficionados and fans a chance to engage other conference participants in their selected game (off-the-shelf titles or grassroots designed), providing activities or walk-throughs related to key questions and ideas chosen by the session host. Chat 'n' Frag sessions will be scheduled in 2-4 hour blocks throughout the conference. The structure and content of these sessions is at the discretion of the host, although sessions that include thoughtful game analysis and hands-on play are encouraged.
- Fireside Chats: A second feature of the GLS Lounge is fireside chats with special guests. These sessions are designed to enable informal discussion among smaller groups of attendees on specific topics of interest. Oftentimes at conferences, attendees have little chance to personally interact with key conference participants and/or colleagues with shared interests. Our goal of hosting garden chats is to enable just such informal sociability. Each Garden Chat session will be organized either by special guest (e.g. James Paul Gee) or by theme (e.g. the low-down on "game addiction" theory and research). Chats will be scheduled in 60-90 minutes blocks and when the cash bar is available. Looks like an official version of chatting up colleagues? Precisely.
- Roll Your Own: Generally, we are looking for engaging, interactive sessions that allow substantive conversation across disciplinary and professional boundaries. If you have another session format that you feel might better serve this goal, please submit a proposal outlining what you have in mind. Keep in mind both the stated conference themes and that most of our sessions are arranged in 45-minute or 90-minute scheduling format.