Ohio University will host its annual Spotlight on Learning conference on Friday, February 13, offering faculty, administrators, and instructional support staff opportunities to explore innovative teaching methods and implement them immediately. The event, organized by the faculty-led Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Committee, focuses on elevating student experiences and addressing the evolving landscape of higher education.
The conference theme, “Navigating Change with Confidence,” emphasizes adaptation to new teaching challenges, including generative artificial intelligence, advancements in scholarship on student learning, and shifts in instructional methods. Attendees will engage with strategies designed to enhance classroom learning and improve student outcomes.
The keynote session will focus on teaching and assessing learning in large-enrollment courses. Panelists will discuss ways to keep students engaged amid technological distractions, develop in-class activities that foster understanding, and explore strategies and tools to improve testing accuracy. The session will also consider when and how to assess learning most effectively.
Following the keynote, a popular interactive Festival of Learning will give faculty the chance to experience impactful teaching techniques demonstrated by their colleagues. This session encourages collaboration, creativity, and active participation, helping educators explore new instructional approaches.
The plenary session will highlight evolving applications of generative artificial intelligence in teaching. Participants will learn about a custom chatbot developed by a CTLA faculty fellow, designed to identify themes in teaching evaluations and suggest strategies for improving instruction. The session will also introduce a protocol for faculty to use AI alongside self-recorded teaching observations to analyze and enhance their own pedagogical methods. This approach combines self-evaluation, AI insights, and human consultation to strengthen teaching effectiveness.
Additional TED-style concurrent sessions will provide practical and theoretical frameworks for addressing classroom challenges. These sessions aim to inspire new ways to engage learners and adapt instruction to meet diverse student needs throughout the semester.
The conference will be held in Baker University Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Faculty and staff interested in presenting can submit Spotlight proposals until 5 p.m. on January 23, following a recently extended deadline.
The Spotlight on Learning conference continues to be a key opportunity for Ohio University educators to innovate, collaborate, and enhance teaching and learning practices on campus.
