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Program Summary

Fusion kicks off with a full day of Pre-Conference workshops followed by a Keynote from our CEO, John Baker. Then it’s two inspiring days of Main Conference sessions, activities, exhibits and more ways than ever to learn and connect.

  • Monday, July 21

    Pre-Conference Training

    7:30AM | PRE-CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPENS

    7:30AM-8:45AM | Pre-Conference Registration & Continental Breakfast

    9AM-10:50AM | Pre-Conference Training Workshops

    11AM-12PM | Pre-Conference Training Lunch

    12:10PM-2PM | Pre-Conference Training Workshops

    View Pre-Conference Schedule

    MAIN CONFERENCE

    1PM | MAIN CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPENS and Welcome Refreshments

    2PM-3PM | Learning Exchange Presentations

    3PM-4:10PM | MAINSTAGE | Welcome Keynote

    4:15PM-5:30PM | Affinity Networks

    View Main Conference Schedule
  • Tuesday, July 22

    Main Conference

    7AM-7:45AM | Wellness Activity – Jogging with John (sign-up required)

    7:30AM | REGISTRATION OPENS

    7:30AM-9AM | Breakfast

    8AM | Exhibit Hall Opens

    9AM-10:35AM | MAINSTAGE | Champions Spotlight and D2L Solutions Spotlight

    10:45AM-11:30AM | Product Deep-Dive Sessions

    10:45AM | Lounges, Labs, and Sensory Room Open

    11:45AM-12:30PM | Breakout sessions

    12:30PM-1:45PM | Lunch

    1:45PM-2:30PM | Breakout sessions

    2:45PM-3:45PM | Partner Symposium & Snack Break

    4PM-4:45PM | Breakout sessions

    7PM-10:30PM | EVENING EVENT | A Night in Old Savannah

    View Main Conference Schedule
  • Wednesday, July 23

    Main Conference

    7AM-7:45AM | Wellness Activity – Yoga (sign-up required)

    7:30AM-8:45AM | Breakfast

    8AM | Exhibit Hall Opens

    9AM-10AM | MAINSTAGE | Wake Up, Fusion!

    10AM | Lounges, Labs, and Sensory Room Open

    10:15AM-12PM | Breakout sessions

    12PM-1PM | Lunch

    1PM-2PM | Breakout sessions

    2PM-3PM | Partner Symposium & Snack Break

    3:15PM-4PM | Breakout sessions

    4PM-5PM | MAINSTAGE | Closing Guest Keynote – Ryan Leak

    View Main Conference Schedule

*Agenda Subject to change

Session Schedules

Those looking to start early to gain extra hands-on training can enjoy a day of Pre-conference Training before the Main Conference program begins.

Presentation Formats

Choose the presentation format you prefer. Our Steering Committee may recommend a different format after reviewing your proposal.

  • NEW for 2025!
    Presentation and Conversation (45 minutes)

    Begin your session with 15-25 minutes about your chosen topic (like a Lightning Session). Attendees will be seated at round tables for small group discussions about the topic during the remaining 20-30 minutes. As the presenter, you can participate as you see fit during the table discussions. Report-outs by the tables are also at your discretion.

  • Standard Breakout (45 minutes)

    Share your topic and engage your audience in a standard presentation setting or unique interactive activity.
  • // Person //Class // Graph

    Lightning Session (20 minutes)

    Outline your topic in less time than a standard breakout, with a brief presentation or unique interactive activity.
  • Panel Presentation (45 minutes)

    Explore your topic with a panel of co-presenters and a moderator in an in-person or virtual panel setting. You’ll organize the panelists and facilitate the discussion.
  • Learning Exchange Presentation Digital Poster (60 minutes)

    Display your topic in a concise and visually engaging digital poster format. Showcase your work and engage and interact with several different audience groups walking around during the dedicated digital poster time.
  • Five-Minute Flare (5 minutes)

    Sum up your topic in just 15 slides, each displayed for 20 seconds before advancing (like the Pecha Kucha format). A successful Flare has interesting visuals and fluid speaking.
  • Fusion On-Demand Recording

    Share a pre-recorded video presentation for Fusion On- Demand attendees. Suggested length of 5-20 minutes. Share your insights with hundreds of viewers. On-Demand video creators also receive the presenter discount for attending Fusion in-person.

Main Conference Tracks

H5P Community

This track brings together the H5P Community like never before. Whether you’re an H5P expert or just beginning to explore what interactive content can do for your learners, this track is your chance to connect, share and spark new ideas with fellow educators, designers and developers passionate about creating engaging learning experiences.

Innovative Technologies and Ecosystems

This track focuses on the cutting-edge tools and integrations that drive education forward, including AI, virtual and augmented reality, and other emerging instructional technologies. It also encompasses the adaptability and extensibility of platforms to seamlessly connect with third-party solutions, enhancing the digital learning ecosystem.

Insights and Strategy

Focused on data-driven decision-making and organizational transformation, this track covers the role of analytics, change management, and practical solutions to optimize learning systems and strategies.  

Learner Experience and Success

Centered on creating inclusive, personalized, and engaging learning experiences, this track emphasizes strategies and tools that ensure every learner thrives. It includes a focus on accessibility, health and wellness, and fostering meaningful engagement to drive academic and personal success.

Research

This track marks an exciting step in fostering a vibrant research community around the effective use of the Brightspace Learning Management System (LMS) to transform lives. We invite educators to share their empirical research and contribute to this burgeoning field.

Skills, Credentials, and Development

This track addresses the evolving landscape of skills and professional growth, including micro-credentialing, competency-based learning, and leadership development. It also emphasizes equity and inclusion in building accessible pathways for diverse learners, empowering women in learning and development, and advancing organizational strategy.

Teaching and Training Excellence

This track highlights effectives practices, training, and resources for educators and trainers to deliver impactful, high-quality learning experiences. It includes professional development, instructional approaches like Hy-Flex, and maximizing the use of learning environments to enhance both online and hybrid instruction.

Schedule

Audience

Track

Topic

  • 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

    Convention Center Rotunda

    General

    Main Conference Registration Opens

  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    01 – Building a Sustainable Delivery Framework for the Community College

    Okanagan College’s sustainable Delivery Framework is a scalable solution to serve any learner, anywhere, anytime. It embraces inclusive and open education enabling multi-access learning options. It enables learners to be supported throughout their various life stages and is adaptive to the learner in recognizing their prior skills, knowledge and abilities. It empowers educators and leaners with tools to provide flexible learning opportunities.

    Speakers
    • Neil Fassina
      Neil Fassina President Okanagan College
    • Samantha Lenci
      Samantha Lenci Provost & VP Academic Okanagan College
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    02 – Campus Administrator Toolbox: SUNY’s Use of Custom Widgets for Distributed Administration Efficiency

    Managing Brightspace within a multi-tenant environment requires efficiency, organization, and quick access to essential tools. We will present a Campus Administrator Toolbox course that was internally developed to enhance the experience for SUNY’s Campus System Administrator community, featuring a suite of custom widgets designed to streamline daily workflows.

    Speakers
    • Stephen Race
      Stephen Race Application Services Manager SUNY Online
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    03 – Data to Liberate: A Discussion About Data Retention

    Radford University D2L admins invite you to join a discussion about purging data. These admins will first share their experience navigating the steps needed for this task, both political and technical, at their institution, including surprises and obstacles that came up during the process. Afterwards, they will open the floor for discussion for attendees to share their experiences or to ask the room questions with fellow D2L admins.

    Speakers
    • Hollyn Williams
      Hollyn Williams IT Trainer Radford University
    • Judy Hurst
      Judy Hurst Academic Technology Specialist Radford University
    • Alicia Eckenroth Stephenson
      Alicia Eckenroth Stephenson Academic Technology Trainer Radford University
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    04 – Demo Student: A True Learner Experience for Instructors

    Brightspace includes excellent “View As” functionality allowing instructors to see the Learner perspective of their courses, but does not provide an accurate representation of some Brightspace tools and functions. Purdue built a true Demo Student that can be added by any instructor to any course. Other D2L customers like GBC, CUNY, NYU, and Toronto have implemented Demo Student in their instance of Brightspace using a similar approach.

    Speakers
    • Leo Smith
      Leo Smith Senior IT Business Analyst Purdue University
    • Lara Wolters
      Lara Wolters Senior IT Business Analyst Purdue University
    • Ben Holmes
      Ben Holmes Lead Educational Technology Consultant Purdue University
    • Robert Faltemier
      Robert Faltemier Sr. IT Business Analyst Purdue University
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    05 – Designed to Calm: Applying Multimedia Principles Using H5P to Reduce Learner Anxiety

    Online learning can be overwhelming, but intentional design can make a difference. This session explores how applying multimedia principles using H5P can reduce learner anxiety while increasing engagement.

    Speakers
    • Theresa Huff
      Theresa Huff OER Instructional Designer Loyola Marymount University
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    06 – Designing for Impact: Using Brightspace Tools to Enhance Pedagogy and Inclusion

    Explore Hostos Community College’s Brightspace Guidelines, blending teaching strategies with platform tools to enhance online learning. This interactive poster showcases how RSI, UDL, and accessibility support inclusive, engaging course design, offering adaptable approaches for use at any institution.

    Speakers
    • Ana Marjanovic
      Ana Marjanovic LMS Administrator/Instructional Designer Hostos Community College
    • Carlos Guevara
      Carlos Guevara Educational Technology Director Hostos Community College – CUNY
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    07 – Digital Spring Cleaning: Managing Brightspace Data Growth in TBR Community Colleges

    Since 2020, the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) campuses have experienced exponential growth in their Brightspace data footprint. This session addresses the urgent need for coordinated data purging to optimize performance and reduce costs. Two TBR administrators and their D2L TAM will present best practices for data retention, data cleanup processes, and strategies for deployment of data management initiatives across multiple institutions.

    Speakers
    • Katherine Fullerton
      Katherine Fullerton Instructional Systems Specialist Pellissippi State Community College
    • James Dye
      James Dye Director of Technology Tennessee Board of Regents
    • Ahmad Rahid Passon
      Ahmad Rahid Passon Sr. Technical Account Manager D2L Corporation
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    08 – Ditch the Detectors: Leveraging Brightspace to Encourage Authenticity in the Age of AI

    This session explores how to leverage Brightspace tools to design authentic, process-driven learning experiences that minimize AI misuse and maximize engagement. Strategic use of Rubrics, Video Notes, Discussions, Assignment Feedback, and Intelligent Agents can help faculty get to know learners, emphasize process and reflection, and turn AI-generated work into a teachable moment, eliminating the time often spent investigating AI-generated work.

    Speakers
    • Shannon Brenner
      Shannon Brenner Instructional Designer Northeast Iowa Community College
    • Jordan O'Connell
      Jordan O’Connell Instructional Designer Northeast Iowa Community College
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Governor’s Ballroom Foyer

    Learning Exchange Poster Sessions

    09 – Enhancing Hybrid Health Sciences Education: Scalable Engagement & Assessment with FeedbackFruits

    This session will showcase the integration of FeedbackFruits (FbF) in D2L Brightspace within several hybrid programs at a Medical University. By leveraging tools like Assignment Review, Group Member Evaluation, Peer Review, Self-Assessment, Skill Review, Interactive Document, Interactive Video, and Interactive Audio, we are developing structured templates to support faculty in creating interactive and collaborative learning experiences.

    Speakers
    • Ashley Bondurant
      Ashley Bondurant Instructional Designer Medical University of South Carolina
    • Elise Nissen
      Elise Nissen Instructor | Instructional Designer Medical University of South Carolina
    • Chelsea Dyer
      Chelsea Dyer Instructional Designer Medical University of South Carolina
    • Ragan DuBose-Morris
      Ragan DuBose-Morris Director, Education & Information Technology Medical Unveristy of South Carolina
    • Gretchen Seif
      Gretchen Seif Medical University of South Carolina

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Register for Fusion 2025

July 21–23, 2025 | Savannah, USA
Join us at our annual user conference where educators and experts from around the world gather to see and discuss the latest innovations in learning and EdTech.