FAQ

About the Spring Spotlight

What is the Spring Spotlight?

The Spring Spotlight represents our transformed Spring Term Festival, designed to showcase student achievements through both digital and in-person platforms. This hybrid approach allows for maximum visibility and engagement with student work.

Register Now!

Digital Showcase Information

What file formats are accepted for digital submissions?

The Spring Spotlight is designed to accommodate a wide variety of student work. We welcome projects that showcase creativity, research, and academic engagement in multiple digital forms.

The following file formats are accepted for upload to the Spring Spotlight website:

  • PDF (.pdf) – Ideal for digital posters, research papers, essays, or other visual documents. PDF ensures consistent formatting and is easy to view across all devices.
  • MP4 (.mp4) – The preferred format for videos, including short films, video essays, interviews, animations, or project presentations.
  • MP3 (.mp3) – For audio-only submissions such as podcasts, oral histories, or soundscapes.
  • JPEG / PNG (.jpg, .png) – For image-based projects, such as photo essays, infographics, or digital artwork.
  • PowerPoint / Google Slides (.pptx, .pdf export) – If students are submitting slide-based presentations, we recommend exporting to PDF for compatibility and consistent display.

All submissions must be final versions, ready for public viewing. If your project includes multiple components (e.g., a PDF poster and an MP3 audio explanation), you’ll have the opportunity to submit them together as a cohesive project.

If you are using a file format not listed here or hosting your project on an external platform (such as YouTube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud), please contact Helen MacDermott so we can help determine the best way to feature your work.

What are the technical specifications for digital submissions?

To ensure that student work is accessible, visually consistent, and optimized for display on the Spring Spotlight website, we ask that digital submissions follow these guidelines:

📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX, Slides):

  • File size: Under 10 MB per file is recommended for quick loading

🎥 Videos (MP4):

  • File size: Under 500 MB per video preferred
  • Accessibility: Please include captions or a transcript to ensure content is accessible to all viewers

🎧 Audio (MP3):

  • File size: Under 100 MB preferred
  • Length: Ideal length is 2–15 minutes for podcasts or recordings
  • Accessibility: Please submit a transcript of the audio to ensure content is accessible to all viewers

🖼️ Images (JPG, PNG):

  • Resolution: Minimum of 150 dpi; 300 dpi preferred for posters and detailed visuals
  • File size: Under 10 MB per image

🔗 External Links:

  • If a project is hosted externally (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, Canva, Prezi), you may submit a URL instead of uploading a file. Please ensure the link is publicly accessible and won’t expire. For privacy reasons, avoid sharing files from personal drives that require permission.

If you have questions about how to prepare or convert your files, or have special technical needs, please contact Helen MacDermott.

How do students submit their work for the Spring Spotlight website?

Digital submissions can be submitted any time beginning Monday, May 19, 2025. Upload files to https://wlu.app.box.com/f/b4c06515307d4e8d8bfc51ad23697f5a. Contact Helen MacDermott if you have questions or need assistance.

Why is poster printing not available for this year’s Spring Spotlight?

We have decided to move away from printing physical posters for the Spring Spotlight. This change is driven by the challenges faced during the compressed four-week term.

Traditionally, the deadline to submit posters for printing was set one week before the Spring Term Festival, which did not provide sufficient time for students to complete their projects. As a result, many submissions were made late, placing a significant burden on our library staff to print these posters up to the last minute. By shifting to a digital format, we aim to streamline the submission process, reduce stress on both students and staff, and enhance the accessibility and reach of student projects by showcasing them on our digital platform.

Can my class still print posters for the Spring Spotlight?

While we are strongly encouraging the use of digital formats, we understand that some faculty may still prefer or require printed posters. To manage this sustainably, the library will provide printing for a limited number of eight posters per class, due by Sunday, May 18. Please upload 30″x42″ PDF files with first and last name in the file name to Box via https://wlu.app.box.com/f/e335c7e4250443878f286ac22d58e7d4.

This limitation helps us maintain sustainability in terms of physical resources, budget, and staff time. Most faculty assign posters as group projects, typically involving two to five students, with three being the standard. This approach has informed our limit of eight posters per class for the event.

In-Person Event Details

What are the logistics for the in-person event?

The in-person component takes place on May 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Harte Center in Leyburn Library. Northen Auditorium, Leyburn 109 (Innovation Classroom), Leyburn 119 (Teaching Hub), and Leyburn 128 (Collaboration Gallery) accommodates presentations requiring direct interaction, such as oral presentations and panel discussions.

For Faculty

How can faculty members incorporate Spring Spotlight participation into their course?

There are several ways to integrate Spring Spotlight participation into your Spring Term course, depending on your learning goals:

  • Scaffolded Milestones: To avoid last-minute submissions and ensure quality, structure your course timeline with interim checkpoints—for instance, proposal drafts, peer review, and format checks.
  • Final Project Integration: Consider aligning a course’s final assignment with a project format suitable for the Spotlight—such as a short film, podcast, digital essay, or virtual poster. This allows students to create work with an authentic audience in mind.
  • Reflective Component: Pair the project with a reflection assignment in which students articulate their learning process and explain their project’s purpose, audience, and design decisions—enhancing both metacognition and communication skills.
  • Group Work and Presentation Practice: If your course includes collaborative projects, the Spotlight can serve as a natural public presentation opportunity, helping students build confidence and gain feedback.

What timeline should faculty follow when planning for Spring Spotlight participation?

Because the Spring Term is compressed into four weeks, early planning is essential for a smooth and successful Spotlight experience. Here’s a recommended timeline:

  • Week 1: Introduce the Spring Spotlight to students. If you plan to participate, submit the Spring Spotlight registration form indicating whether your course will participate virtually, in-person, or both.
  • Week 2–3: Guide students through content development. For digital projects, begin formatting and reviewing early. If you’re requesting a library session on poster design or visual literacy, schedule it during this window.
  • Week 4: Finalize projects.
    • Digital submissions can be submitted any time beginning Monday, May 19, 2025.
    • Print posters (if applicable) are limited (no more than 8 per class) and due to the library by Sunday, May 18, 2025.
    • In-person presentations will take place on Friday, May 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Harte Center.

Is there support available for teaching students about effective poster design?

If you are looking to enhance your students’ visual literacy and poster design skills, the University Library can provide valuable support.

Research Services has created a comprehensive online guide about Visual Research Communication. Check out this invaluable resource.

Additionally, you can request a 15-minute session focused on the best practices of poster creation. These sessions aim to equip students with the skills to effectively communicate their ideas visually, ensuring their digital posters are both compelling and informative. To schedule a session, please email library@wlu.edu.