iPED Regional Teaching Conference

“The real problem of humanity is the following: we have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and god-like technology.”
E.O Wilson, debate at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, September 9, 2009

In the U.S., we tend to associate “innovation” with only the last part of E.O Wilson’s quote.  While universities are sometimes associated with innovation through research, their medieval roots and traditions mean that the “move fast and break things” philosophy of Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t always translate as quickly.

“Innovation” in teaching and learning can certainly come from incorporating “god-like technology” (and medieval institutions ignore this at their peril), but it can also draw from its more medieval traditions:  purposely moving more slowly and rigorously, pausing to ask deeper, more profound questions, carefully investigating hidden ramifications and unintended consequences.

This conference is a professional development opportunity for faculty from Marshall University and surrounding colleges and universities. The theme invites faculty, staff, and administrators from Marshall University and all regionally accredited Colleges and Universities to think deeply about transformative pedagogical best practices within diverse teaching environments.

We thus welcome proposals that highlight the following themes:

• Innovative Use of Technology-Enhanced Learning (especially generative AI): Exploration of the use, and possible abuse, of technologies to enhance teaching and learning, especially how tech can be used to create engaging and interactive learning experiences.
• Innovative Pedagogies: Exploration of newer pedagogies (e.g., project-based learning, experiential learning, and blended learning) but also the reexamination and reinvigoration of more traditional pedagogical methods (e.g., lectures, in-class exams).
• Innovative Assessment and Feedback: Exploration of methods of assessment and feedback, old and new, particularly those that demonstrate how assessment and feedback can be used to enhance student learning and engagement.

Other topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Classroom practices, projects, and/or initiatives informed by best practices (face-to-face, virtual, online, and HyFlex)
• Transformative classroom structures, projects, and/or initiatives (face-to-face, virtual, online, and HyFlex) that allow for flexibility and innovation in teaching and learning
• Ways to transform the campus community that inspire openness and feelings of belonging
• High-impact practices that support reflection, growth mindset, and/or flexibility
• Tools, apps, or other resources that create opportunities to transform learning
• Tools, apps, or other resources that support best practices in teaching
• Approaches to identifying and mitigating non-academic barriers that inhibit growth (such as gaps in technology related to access or knowledge)
• Ways to examine and assess the opportunities to increase access through course formats (face-to-face, virtual, HyFlex, and online)
• Impact of curricular and co-curricular community engagement opportunities on openness and flexibility

Conference Program available here! (Links to all HyFlex sessions are included.)

Conference Quick Guide