Session Overview

Session Overview

“The Future Is Now: Exploring 21st-Century Teaching Ideas with the Next Generation of Georgia's English Teachers” is a roundtable session offered at the GCTE Annual Convention that provides undergraduate and master’s level students with an opportunity to present their innovative teaching ideas and research-driven pedagogical practices in a supportive, low-stress environment while allowing them to explore the visions of their peers from across the state. Students find their way to the “Future Is Now” session with the support of dedicated English teacher educators who encourage and prepare them to present their scholarship for a state-wide audience.

Session Structure

The session opens with a brief welcome and overview from session chairperson. Next, session attendees join a roundtable facilitated by undergraduate and/or master’s level students. Student presenters are grouped across universities based on similarities in presentation topics. Each table features three presentations with individual presentations consisting of either a single presenter or a pair of presenters, and each presentation lasts approximately 10-12 minutes. This short time period is optimal for allowing students to share a single 21st-century teaching idea or research-driven pedagogical practice with the roundtable audience.

Once all presentations have concluded, presenters use the remaining time to field questions and continue the conversation with table respondents and attendees. Presenters are asked to provide a handout. To moderate time and provide feedback for student presenters, GCTE members and supporters sign up to serve as session respondents and are seated at each table.