January 18, 2024
Dear Learning Analytics Community,
We write to inform you that the SoLAR Executive Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the integrated virtual component of LAK24 scheduled for March 18 -22, 2024. The number of virtual submissions and registrations for LAK24 is extremely low (i.e., 4.6% of LAK paper presenters have requested online presentation, 7% of registered LAK24 participants thus far registered for online format), although the overall number of in person submissions for LAK24 has reached a new record high.
The low number of virtual presentations is insufficient to create virtual paper sessions and the associated costs of running a hybrid conference (> US$ 60.0000) are substantial. Therefore, the Executive Committee has concluded that a virtual meeting is not viable this year as a meaningful or quality educational experience for accepted presenters or attendees. SoLAR joins many other societies and groups in responding to our community in making this decision.
SoLAR has reached out to the virtual paper presenters with options to ensure their paper is still part of the LAK24 proceedings and how their paper will be presented.
SoLAR continues to be committed to creating and holding events that are of the highest quality for presenters and attendees and we are pleased in addition to a fully in person LAK24 to offer a fully virtual Learning Analytics in Practice (LAP24) event June 18-20 (depending on your location in the world). In addition there are a number of local LASIs planned in different geographical regions throughout 2024.
Thank you for your understanding as we all continue to navigate in this changing world since COVID first arrived.
Sincerely,
Bart Rienties, President SoLAR on behalf of SoLAR Executive Committee