ASCILITE NEWS

ASCILITE 2026 Conference Update

The Conference Program is Live!

The ASCILITE 2026 Conference Program has now been released and updated, and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic four days of connection, ideas and conversation in Brisbane.

You can now explore the virtual program, including sessions, presentations and authors, and start planning what you’d like to see. And there’s more to come – the program will also be available in app form at the conference, making it easy to keep your personalised schedule close at hand throughout the event.

Explore the program: https://2026conference.ascilite.org/program/

As always, the program remains subject to change as we get closer to the conference.

Early Bird Registration Closes 14 October

There are only a few days left to take advantage of Early Bird registration, which closes COB Wednesday 14 October.

If you’re planning to join us in Brisbane, now is the time to register and secure the discounted rate.

And a reminder for those travelling to Brisbane: discounted conference accommodation at Rydges South Bank is limited, so we recommend booking soon if you haven’t already organised somewhere to stay.

Be a Conference Buddy

Coming to ASCILITE for the first time can be exciting – and sometimes a little daunting. Our Conference Buddy Program helps first-time attendees make connections and feel part of the ASCILITE community from the outset.

We’re looking for returning conference attendees who would be happy to volunteer as a buddy, offer a friendly welcome, and help someone new find their feet.

To volunteer, email conference@ascilite.org with the subject line Conference Buddy Volunteer.

Art.Intelligence – Unleash Your Creativity!

Looking for a different way to contribute to ASCILITE 2026? Our Art.Intelligence initiative invites conference participants to explore the theme ‘About AI without AI’ through handmade artwork. Whether you enjoy drawing, painting, collage, textiles or simply experimenting with something creative, we’d love you to get involved!

Your artwork will be displayed alongside the conference posters, creating opportunities for conversation, connection and a little creative inspiration. No artistic expertise required, and no prizes or judging – just an opportunity to have some fun!

Please register your interest by early November to help us plan the exhibition. You don’t need to have your artwork ready or even know exactly what you’ll create just yet!

Find out more and register your interest

Sponsor Spotlight: Our Bronze Sponsors

We’re delighted to recognise three more of our Bronze Sponsors supporting ASCILITE 2026.

Blackboard – Supporting institutions around the world with learning technology designed to help educators create engaging and accessible digital learning experiences.

Turnitin – Helping educators uphold academic integrity, support authentic student work and navigate the changing assessment landscape, including the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI.

PebblePad – A learning journey platform supporting reflection, portfolios, authentic assessment and the development of students across their learning experiences.

A big thank you to Blackboard, Turnitin and PebblePad for supporting ASCILITE 2026 and our learning technology community. We look forward to welcoming them to Brisbane.

Elaine Huber
ASCILITE 2026 Conference Chair
 

ASCILITE Committee election 2026: LAST few days to vote

Voting closes midnight 15 October 2026.

To all the members that have already voted – Thank you!

If you have not voted, and were a member on the 17th of September, please check your inbox for the email with subject line:  “ASCILITE 2026 Executive Committee Election – Voting now open” sent to you from SurveyMonkey or Mailchimp.

The voting link embedded in each email is unique to each recipient.

We hope that all current members can take a few minutes to participate in the poll, so please locate your email.

If you have not received your voting link please email the ASCILITE Secretariat.

Returning Officer,
ASCILITE 2026

New AJET Issue Published – Volume 42, Issue 4 (2026)

The Australasian Journal of Educational Technology (AJET) is pleased to announce the publication of Volume 42, Issue 4, featuring ten research articles and an editorial exploring current developments and emerging challenges in educational technology.

Several articles examine generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in higher education, including its role in interdisciplinary learning, systems thinking, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. Together, these studies highlight the importance of students’ AI competencies, digital literacy, cognitive engagement, and meaningful interaction with AI tools in supporting learning.

A second theme concerns AI-generated feedback and pedagogical judgement. Studies comparing AI-generated feedback with human and peer feedback reveal both the potential of GenAI to provide structured, personalised support and its limitations in contextual understanding and developmental guidance. Another article critically examines the growing use of GenAI in constructive alignment, emphasising the importance of preserving educator expertise and pedagogical decision-making.

The issue also addresses student engagement and technology-mediated learning, with studies investigating motivation and satisfaction in micro-learning, continued use of mobile learning management systems, and differences between novice and experienced teachers in managing online classrooms.

The editorial, Beyond the AI spotlight: Mapping the broader landscape of educational technology research, examines AJET publications from 2023 to 2026 and highlights the continuing diversity of research beyond AI, including learning design, assessment, professional development, and digital wellbeing.

Explore the full issue here.

Linda Corrin, Chris Deneen, Feifei Han, & Henk Huijser
AJET Lead Editors

ASCILITELive! October Webinar: AI Productivity Hacks in Higher Education

Date: Tuesday 27 October
Time: from 10:00am AWST | 12:00pm AEST | 1:00pm AEDT | 3:00pm NZDT

In this webinar, presenters (Antony Tibbs (UWA), Paul Oliveri (CQU) and Greg Walsh (CQU)) will demonstrate real-world uses of AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, ChatGPT and Claude.

Topics will include effective AI-powered search strategies, choosing the right tool for different tasks, creating case studies and assessment rubrics, and comparing the outputs generated by different AI platforms. Through demonstrations and discussion, attendees will gain practical tips, prompts and workflows that can be applied immediately in their own roles.

Whether you’re just getting started with AI or looking to expand your toolkit, you’ll leave with actionable ideas to enhance productivity and support your work.

Registration link here
Webinar link here

Karine Cosgrove, Lisa Bugden & Amanda White
ASCILITELive! leads

OEP SIG convenor nominations open

OEP SIG is seeking passionate members to join its next convenor team and help shape open education across Australasia. Convenors will collaborate on research, community building, member engagement, webinars and the OEP Digest, allocating responsibilities according to their expertise and priorities.

Researchers are especially encouraged to nominate and strengthen the region’s evidence base. The role offers opportunities to expand professional networks, build leadership and project management skills, raise your profile and contribute to sector-wide impact.

To nominate or ask questions, please email Hugh Rundle. Include the strengths you would bring and priorities you hope to pursue.

Nominations close 28 October.

Claire Ovaska, Hugh Rundle, Steven Chang, & Ash Barber
OEP-SIG leads

TELedvisor October webinar: Developing AI Capabilities for Teaching, Learning, and Educational Practice

Date: Thursday 29 October 2026
Time: from 9:00am AWST | 11:00am AEST | 12:00pm  AEDT | 2:00pm  NZDT

How can educators build the critical perspectives and AI capabilities needed to support students effectively, and navigate rapidly changing educational landscapes?

This webinar brings together colleagues from the University of Wollongong, the University of Auckland, and Queensland University of Technology to share insights and practical approaches to developing critical AI literacy and capability in higher education. Through examples from applied research initiatives, educator professional learning, and learning design practice, presenters will explore how educators can develop the knowledge, skills, and critical perspectives needed to use AI thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively.

Presentation 1 – Clare Roden (University of Wollongong)
Building AI Literacy and Educator Capabilities

Drawing on her experiences of navigating AI in higher education, Clare will explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into teaching practice. She will share insights into supporting educator capability development while preparing students to become critical, ethical, and AI-capable future professionals.

Presentation 2 – Ashwini Datt, Marion Blumenstein and Bettina Schwenger (University of Auckland)
A Networked Approach to Higher Educator Capability Development in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

As AI reshapes educational practice, educators require adaptive capabilities to support learners preparing for lifelong learning and future careers. This presentation shares emerging findings on educator capability development and showcases a collaborative, networked initiative designed to build AI capability and critical digital literacy across educational contexts.

Presentation 3 – Andrew Kemp and Roger Cook (Queensland University of Technology)
AI Capabilities for Learning Designers: From a Framework to Practice

Andrew and Roger will connect the themes from the previous presentations to the practical realities of learning design. After an interactive Padlet activity, they will present AI capabilities aligned with the Jisc framework and invite participants to consider how these capabilities can be applied in their own professional practice.

Register here

Colin Simpson, Wendy Taleo, Penny Wheeler, & Antony Tibbs
TELedvisors SIG leads

Transforming Assessment SIG : Australasian Symposium on Assessment Literacies in the age of Gen AI: Navigating a Wicked Problem.

Date: 11 November
Time: 9:30am – 1:00pm AWST | 11:30am – 3:00pm AEST | 12:30pm – 4pm AEDT | 2:30pm – 6:00pm NZDT

Jointly run with the HERDSA Quality Assessment SIG, this half day online event will explore assessment literacies in light of the wicked problem space of assessment in the age of Gen AI.

Featuring a keynote by A/Prof Thomas Corbin (Deakin University) and plenary by Prof Simon Sneddon (University of Northampton) along with the speakers on related topics.

For full program details, local time zone conversion and free registration on the TA website.

Mathew Hillier
TA-SIG lead

Latest TELall Blog: Let students in 24/7: How virtual learning spaces can strengthen engagement and belonging

In the latest TELall Blog post Dr Christina Byun reflects on two UNSW initiatives that demonstrate how accessible virtual spaces can extend learning beyond scheduled classes while strengthening engagement and belonging.  The Virtual Anatomy Lab lets students explore interactive 3D models anytime, supporting preparation, revision and self-paced study without replacing practical classes. A Virtual Gallery transformed group poster submissions into a shared exhibition where students viewed peers’ work and voted for favourites.

Read Dr Byun’s blog post here.

Sandy Barker
TELall Blog lead

OTHER NEWS

Join the Digital Learning Community at ALTC26

ALT’s Annual Conference 2026 (ALTC26) will take place on 20–21 October in Cardiff, and registration is now open.

The conference offers a national forum for sharing practice, exploring emerging approaches and connecting with colleagues working across digital learning and learning technology. This year’s theme, Learning Without Edges, focuses on flexible, connected and equitable learning in an ever‑changing world.

Early‑bird registration is now available.

Learn more and register here.

CRADLE Seminar Series: Assessment Design Toolkit: Supporting inclusion, security and assurance of learning

How can educators design assessment that is both inclusive and secure?

Join Deakin University’s Assessment Design Toolkit team for a practical seminar exploring this timely challenge.

Assessment shapes what students prioritise and how they understand their progress, but it can also create pressure and compound barriers for students balancing employment, caring responsibilities, disability, location and other commitments. Flexibility, choice and scaffolding can help students demonstrate their capabilities more equitably.

At the same time, rapid developments in artificial intelligence have heightened concerns about academic integrity, assessment security and assurance of learning. This seminar introduces the Assessment Design Toolkit, developed with support from an Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success Practitioner Resource Grant. Its guiding principles, sector case studies and practical guidance help educators consider inclusion and security together when designing or redesigning assessment.

Attend in person at Deakin Downtown or join online to learn practical steps for creating assessment that supports diverse learners while maintaining confidence in learning outcomes.

When: Wednesday 11 November 2026
Time: 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm (AEDT)
Where: Deakin Downtown (Level 12, Tower 2, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne) or online
Cost: This is a free event
More information and registration  here

Call for participation – Pedagogies of Hope in Higher Education: Capturing Visions of Hopeful Pedagogies

An free online symposium 9–20 November 2026

Rather than a conventional conference event, we are inviting educators in Higher Education (in the broadest sense) to contribute one image (a photograph, artwork, drawing, collage, or other visual) that says something about how you conceptualise or practise hope in higher education, accompanied by a short written, audio, or video reflection. Across the two-week symposium, contributions will form a collective online collage, alongside asynchronous and live discussions, keynote presentations, and creative workshops.

The hosts are interested in hope in all its complexity, and your contributions do not need to present polished examples of good practice; uncertainty, questions, things that have not quite worked, and commentaries on the limits of hope are also very welcome.

The Hope Collective knows everyone is busy, so with this longer online format, you can be as involved as it suits you: dip into some live sessions, browse and comment on others’ contributions, join a creative workshop on teaching, take part in discussion, or simply come along to listen to one of the keynote conversations. They hope there will be something for everyone.

Contributions will be due by 26 October 2026.

Full details, themes and the registration form are here

SoLAR Learning Analytics in Practice – Online Only Event moves to December

Members of the Learning Analytics community are invited to submit to LAP26 to be held in early December 2026. The event is tentatively scheduled to begin at 7 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on December 2, 2026 (12 PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on December 1).

SOLAR are actively looking for community members to present and share their work during this event. It’s a great opportunity to share and collaborate with your international peers, get their feedback and hear how they may have handled similar hurdles or challenges at their organization.

Submit your work to the below google form by October 30 or email for more information. Please share with your colleagues at your institutions.

If you’d like to help organize the event or volunteer, please reach out to Nicole.