Oplerno, the online-only, college-level educational venture founded by South Burlington’s Rob Skiff, has been targeting bloat in higher education for two years. Oplerno is one of a small number of undertakings that aim to democratize higher education by restoring greater autonomy to faculty members, allowing for greater student choice, and reducing costs by elminating infrastructural metastasis — all while providing high-quality education. In May 2014, Oplerno received approval from the Vermont State Board of Education, so its courses can be taken for college credit.

With its upcoming second annual Woodblock seminar series, Oplerno is applying the same disruptive model to that bulwark of traditional university life, the academic conference. Woodblock is free for all participants and, since it takes place online, does not require any costly travel or lodging arrangements.

Moreover, though the conference will convene for a daylong session on Tuesday, August 4, it is not circumscribed by time. Its half-dozen multimedia sessions will live on in perpetuity online.