Hands-on labs focus on tools and services that offer a “how-to” approach to gathering information or addressing challenges in the professions. Attendees engage in learning through hands-on instruction or an interactive demonstration. Unlike oral seminars, hands-on labs do not have a standard head table and screen, though there may be a brief traditional presentation. The presenter(s) at each station, who are invited by the Convention Program Committee, are experts on the particular product, service or procedure and can knowledgeably answer questions. Attendees are encouraged to interact with the station presenter(s) and ask questions about the demonstration.
All lab sessions are scheduled in 90 minute blocks, during which attendees may stop by at any time for a 30-minute duration. Each Hands-on Lab counts for 30 minutes of PDHs and up to three labs may be viewed during the 90-minute time block.
Master classes provide a more intensive, advanced learning opportunity for seasoned professionals or those whose work has a specialized focus. They are two-hour oral seminars with emphasis on clinical applications and/or science backed by appropriate levels of evidence and are presented at an advanced level. Presenters, who are invited by the Convention Program Committee, demonstrate recognized expertise in their area and have experience presenting continuing professional education programs. Smaller class sizes allow for more in-depth instruction and interaction with presenters as well as peer-to-peer learning. Master classes are ticketed courses with an additional fee for attendance and overflow viewing is not offered. Master classes count for 2 hours of PDHs.
Seminars are standard concurrent sessions intended to provide in-depth, continuing education for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, and speech-language-hearing scientists. Emphasis is on clinical applications and research advances, backed by appropriate levels of evidence. Content is specifically tailored to fit the time period. Oral seminars count for 1 hour or 2 hours of Professional Development Hours (PDHs), depending on session length.
Posters presentations combine a verbal presentation with a visual aid to facilitate the rapid communication of scientific ideas. During these presentations, viewers visually guide themselves at their own pace through the basics of the study displayed on the poster board, allowing the presenter to focus on explanation, clarification, and discussion of key elements of the work and to answer questions. The poster presentation format is less formal and more interactive than an oral seminar, as it provides the opportunity for viewers to engage in discussion and to have one-on-one interactions with both the presenter and fellow viewers. Each poster counts for 15 minutes of PDHs and up to six poster viewings may be claimed for continuing education credit during the 90 minute time block.
Technical sessions consist of a 20-minute oral presentation followed by a brief 10-minute question and answer period to allowing the presenter to clarify information for the audience. The purpose is to communicate scientific information or highlight clinical innovations in an efficient form. A technical session may have either a research or clinical focus. Technical research sessions present recent research findings, or research in progress. Technical clinical sessions address the applied clinical aspects of the professions, such as the methodology of a specific diagnostic, a therapeutic strategy, or a unique service delivery model used by the clinician. Technical sessions count for 30 minutes of PDHs.