Hundreds Attend Inaugural Higher Ed Conference on Teaching

More than 300 participants from Kean University and 22 other institutions joined Kean’s inaugural Conference on Teaching last week to learn about effective teaching strategies and the use of AI in education as well as to engage with peers. 

Hosted by Kean’s Provost’s Office, the online event featured an interactive keynote workshop by Auburn University’s Lindsay Doukopoulos, Ph.D., Playing with AI Across the Curriculum. Her message encouraged participants to be “skeptical, but curious.”

“The goal of the conference was to anchor our community of faculty who can share resources, research and discourse about their instruction, within Kean and throughout the region.,” said Kean Associate Provost for Faculty Development Laura Baecher, Ed.D. “This is the first Kean conference on teaching, and it creates the opportunity for Kean to lift up and learn from our excellent instructors.” 

Attendees said they were energized by the event and gained many resources and tools, Baecher said. More than 90 percent said they would take part again next year.

The Conference included 40 interactive sessions taught by faculty from Kean and other universities, including Taking the ‘Work’ Out of Group Work, Empowering Students as Lecture Breakers, and Engaging Strategic Thinking Through Brain Teasers and Puzzles. Participants also engaged in “Conversation Circles” to discuss teaching challenges and solutions.

Presenters represented a wide range of academic departments from Kean, as well as Temple, Rutgers, Montclair State, and Rowan universities, and Hunter College, CUNY.

Effie N. Christie, Ed.D., M.A. Coordinator in the Department of Educational Leadership at Kean, presented on the topic Change the Paradigm: From Final Term Papers to Student Authors. Christie shared how her doctoral class replaced traditional final papers with research-based book chapters.

“Two students involved in the doctoral class remarked that while they often forget about papers they’ve written in the past, the experience of crafting a publishable article using the skills gained in class was unforgettable,” she said.

Carol Smith-Cuevas, associate director of learning engagement and development for Kean Online, led a session on a technology tool aimed at creating engaging video content to enhance student participation. The workshop, Canvas Studio: Unleashing Your Inner Spielberg, also offered her tips on the successful use of any technology tool: a focus on preparation, making content relevant, and maintaining engagement. 

She said a poll of attendees after the session showed interest in learning more, and she hopes to develop another workshop.

Smith-Cuevas also attended the Conference welcome and the keynote presentation. “I enjoyed the interaction and engagement. I always learn something new,” she said.