Virtual Convention FAQ

Attendee Questions

What will a virtual MLA convention look like?

This virtual convention will have some of the elements you’re used to, and we’ll also embrace the possibilities that going online will offer. We’ll have hundreds of member-organized sessions, the presidential plenary and presidential address, and the MLA Awards Ceremony. We’ll be offering social hours and informal gatherings as well. You’ll be able to visit the virtual exhibit hall to connect with editors and discover new products and deals. We’ve moved our preconvention workshops to the day before the convention, and we’ve kept our thirty-minute breaks between sessions to help alleviate Zoom fatigue.

How do I access convention sessions?

Go to mla2021.org or download the MLA 2021 convention app. Sign in with the same e-mail address you used to register for the convention and your registration confirmation number (see the receipt e-mailed to you from no-reply@mla.org, or use our look-up tool). You must be registered and signed in to join or participate in sessions at the convention.

To join a session, click on the Join Now button which will automatically display before the start of a session. Refer to our guide on accessing the virtual convention for additional assistance.

What is the default time zone for the online program? Can that be changed?

By default, all times will display in your local time zone (the time zone to which your device is set). You may switch to the meeting time zone (EST) by using the toggle option at the top left of your screen. The toggle will display as My Time or EST depending on your setting.

What does my registration pay for? What if I need funding to register?

Your registration covers the cost of providing videoconferencing technology that supports a meeting with hundreds of sessions and the labor of the MLA staff members who work year-round to make the convention a rewarding experience for attendees. We have funding available for our members in need in the form of grants that cover registration fees for unemployed, non-tenure-track, and student members.

What technology do I need to participate?

You’ll need access to the Internet and a computer, tablet, or mobile phone to join. Our hosting platform uses Zoom, so it’s important to download the latest version of Zoom on your device. We recommend using headphones for sessions where you’ll be speaking to improve audio and cut down on the chance of any feedback issues.

Why is the MLA recording sessions?

We know that not everyone can be online during the duration of the convention, so we want to make the convention available to registrants for a limited time after the event is over. This way, if you can’t attend a session live, you can watch it later. A virtual meeting gives attendees an opportunity to experience many more sessions than they could in person, and we’re excited to offer you that access.

When will recorded sessions be available?

Session recordings should be available within one week for registered convention attendees to access.

Where do I find the recordings, and how long will they be available?

A link to the session recording will appear below the session title in the online program once the recording is available. You must be registered and signed in to access the link. Recordings will be available until 1 March 2021.

Can I record sessions?

The MLA is recording every session and making these recordings available to registrants for a limited time. Participants have authorized these official recordings and their distribution to fellow attendees. With the exception of prerecording of your own presentation, individuals’ recording of the event or distribution of recordings is a violation of our members’ privacy and of our convention policies.

Will there be captioning at the sessions?

All MLA sessions will have the automated Zoom captioning function enabled. Click on the CC button at the bottom of your Zoom window to turn captioning on or off, change the font size, or show the captions as a transcription on the side of your screen. Some sessions may have a real-time captioner typing the captions, and you may view those captions the same way you would access the automated captions. We regret that we are not able to schedule additional real-time captioners at this time.

Will there be ASL interpreters at the sessions?

ASL interpreters will be available at select sessions based on requests we received by 13 November. For those sessions, interpreters will be visible on screen along with the session panelists. We recommend pinning the ASL interpreters on your screen for easy access. For a list of sessions with ASL interpreters requested, write to access@mla.org. We regret that we are not able to schedule additional interpreters at this time.

Participant Questions

Who should present live? Who should prerecord their presentation?

We’re now recommending that the majority of speakers present live during the session. We’ve found that a live presentation is easier for speakers and presiders to navigate.

For panel sessions, speakers who have an unstable Internet connection or who may have frequent interruptions during a live presentation may want to prerecord their talk to ensure a smooth presentation.

Are there tutorials or guidelines for presenters and presiders?

If you missed the one-hour training for convention participants or the one for presiders, you can watch the recordings to get an idea of how to access and participate in your session. The training also provides a review of basic Zoom skills. Please also refer to the Presider and Presenter Zoom Instructions and Virtual Convention Presider Training for detailed guidance. Be sure to join your session at least twenty minutes before the session start time to review any questions with the meeting tech (a staff member from our virtual event partner, Confex) and your fellow session participants.

What will my responsibilities be as presider of a session? Will I receive help from the MLA?

As at an in-person convention, presiders will be responsible for facilitating the session and keeping time. Facilitating a virtual session can include using Zoom to show any prerecorded presentations, sharing questions from chat with the presenters, and transitioning from one speaker to another. Be sure to check in to your session at least twenty minutes before the scheduled start time. This gives you time to review any questions with the meeting tech (a staff member from our virtual event partner, Confex), practice screen sharing and speaker transitions, and review the flow of the session with your participants. Review the Presider and Presenter Zoom Instructions for details, and feel free to have your own Zoom practice run of the session.

What happens if I encounter technical difficulties during my session?

A staff member from Confex, our virtual meeting partner, will open your meeting and give the presider Zoom co-host abilities. That tech will be monitoring your session remotely and can be reached through the Zoom chat if you have any questions. Be sure to check in to your session at least twenty minutes ahead of the scheduled start time to cut down on basic technology issues. Session presiders have received information on solving basic technology issues during the meeting (i.e., audio feedback, muting, etc.).

Will there be captioning at my session?

All MLA sessions will be set with the automated Zoom captioning function enabled. Click on the CC button at the bottom of your Zoom screen to turn on or turn off captions, change the font size, or show it as a transcription on the side of your screen. Some sessions may have a real-time captioner typing the captions, and you may view those captions the same way you would access the automated captions. We regret that we are not able to schedule additional real-time captioners at this time.

Will there be ASL interpreters at my session?

ASL interpreters will be available at select sessions based on requests we received by 13 November. For those sessions, interpreters will be logging in to the session twenty minutes ahead of the start time and will be visible on screen along with the session participants. We recommend spotlighting the ASL interpreters along with the session participants so they are all easily viewable regardless of how attendees have set up their screens. For a list of sessions with ASL interpreters requested, write to access@mla.org. We regret that we are not able to schedule additional interpreters at this time.