Teaching & Assessment Symposium
May 15, 2025
Mark your calendars! The Annual Teaching & Assessment Symposium will be held virtually on Thursday, May 15, 2025, and this year’s format puts you in the driver’s seat. Inspired by the choose-your-own-adventure style, this interactive symposium lets you tailor your experience by selecting sessions that align with your interests and teaching goals. Whether you’re exploring innovative program assessment strategies, diving into the latest evidence-based teaching practices, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions, you get to craft your own professional development journey.
How this works:
You have four pathways to choose from:
🔹Assessment for Beginners – Build foundational skills and confidence in assessment.
🔹Advanced Assessment – Deepen your expertise with cutting-edge strategies.
🔹Teaching & Learning for Beginners – Strengthen your pedagogical foundations.
🔹Advanced Teaching & Learning – Push boundaries with innovative and research-informed
approaches.
Your Journey, Your Choice
🔹Start by choosing a track that aligns with your experience and goals.
🔹Feel free to switch tracks at key checkpoints if another path calls to you.
🔹At various points, collaborative reflection will shape your learning experience.
2025 Symposium Schedule
May 15, 2025
Find your track below--click to expand for session details
- Assessment for Beginners Track
9:00 - 9:40 am
Welcome and short Keynote
9:45 - 10:15 am
The Program Assessment Cycle: A Roadmap to Continuous Improvement.
Discover how the program assessment cycle serves as a structured yet flexible roadmap for continuous improvement in higher education. This session will explore key stages of assessment, from setting goals to using data for meaningful change, ensuring sustained program effectiveness and student success.10:20 - 10:50 am
Crafting Effective PLOs: Clear, Measurable and Meaningful.
Explore best practices for designing Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) that are clear, measurable, and meaningful. This session will provide practical strategies to ensure PLOs align with institutional goals, support student success, and facilitate effective assessment.10:55 - 11:25 am
What Kind of Data Can We Use for Program Assessment?
Discover the diverse types of data that can inform and enhance program assessment beyond traditional metrics. This session will explore qualitative and quantitative data sources, offering practical strategies for collecting, analyzing, and using data to drive meaningful program improvements.11:30 am - 12:00 pm
From Assessment to Action: The Essentials of Closing the Loop
Discover how to move beyond data collection and use assessment results to drive meaningful change. This session will focus on strategies for “closing the loop” by translating assessment findings into concrete actions that enhance student learning and program effectiveness.12:05 - 12:35 pm
Pit Stop: Debrief, Discuss, & Refuel
Take a break to reflect, connect, and recharge in this interactive session. Engage in open discussions, share insights from the symposium, and gather fresh ideas to fuel your next steps in teaching, learning, and assessment.12:40 - 1:10 pm
Implementing CAS Standards: Best Practices for Student Affairs Professionals
Explore best practices for implementing CAS (Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education) standards to enhance student affairs programs and services. This session will provide practical strategies for using CAS standards to drive assessment, improve student support, and align with institutional goals.1:15 - 1:45 pm
Voices from Assessment: Student Affairs and Faculty Panel
Gain valuable insights from a panel of faculty and student affairs professionals as they share their experiences with assessment in higher education. This session will feature candid discussions on challenges, best practices, and strategies for using assessment to enhance student learning and success.1:50 - 2:20 pm
From Plan to Practice: Ensuring Consistency in Implementation
Learn strategies for bridging the gap between planning and execution to ensure consistent implementation of programs and initiatives. This session will explore best practices for maintaining alignment, fostering accountability, and adapting plans effectively to achieve meaningful2:25 - 3:00 pm
Final Lap: Synthesize & Next Steps
Wrap up the symposium by reflecting on key takeaways and planning actionable next steps. This session will provide an opportunity to synthesize insights, share final thoughts, and leave with a clear roadmap for applying new ideas to your work. - Advanced Assessment Track
9:00 - 9:40 am
Welcome and brief Keynote address
9:45 - 10:15 am
From Reflection to Action: Navigating the 5-Year Program Review
Learn how to transform insights from program review into actionable improvements that drive long-term success. This session will guide you through the 5-year program review process, offering strategies for meaningful reflection, data-informed decision-making, and sustainable program enhancements.10:20 - 10:50 am
From Vision to Reality: Aligning PLOs with Curriculum & Assessment
Learn how to bridge the gap between program learning outcomes (PLOs), curriculum design, and assessment to create a cohesive and effective learning experience. This session will provide practical strategies for ensuring alignment that supports student success and meaningful program improvement.10:55 - 11:25 am
Telling the Story: Finding Meaning in the Data
Learn how to transform program assessment data into a compelling narrative that drives action and improvement. This session will explore strategies for interpreting data, identifying key insights, and effectively communicating findings to stakeholders in a meaningful and impactful way.11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Closing the Loop: Using Assessment Data to Spark Improvement
Learn how to leverage assessment data to drive continuous improvement and meaningful change. This session will explore practical strategies for interpreting results, making data-informed decisions, and implementing actions that enhance student learning and program effectiveness.12:05 - 12:35 pm
Pit Stop: Debrief, Discuss, & Refuel
Take a break to reflect, connect, and recharge in this interactive session. Engage in open discussions, share insights from the symposium, and gather fresh ideas to fuel your next steps in teaching, learning, and assessment.12:40 - 1:10 pm
Accessing Program Data for your 5-Year Program Review
Learn how to efficiently locate, interpret, and utilize program data for a successful 5-year program review. This session will provide guidance on accessing key institutional data sources, making sense of assessment results, and using data to inform program improvements.1:15 - 1:45 pm
Using Canvas to Streamline Learning Outcomes & Program Data
Discover how to leverage Canvas to efficiently track learning outcomes and manage program assessment data. This session will provide practical tips for using Canvas tools to collect, analyze, and report data, making assessment more seamless and impactful.1:50 - 2:20 pm
Implementation Fidelity: Getting the Results You Expect
Ensure your programs and initiatives produce the intended results by focusing on implementation fidelity. This session will explore key strategies for maintaining consistency, monitoring execution, and making data-informed adjustments to enhance effectiveness and impact.2:25 - 3:00 pm
Final Lap: Synthesize & Next Steps
Wrap up the symposium by reflecting on key takeaways and planning actionable next steps. This session will provide an opportunity to synthesize insights, share final thoughts, and leave with a clear roadmap for applying new ideas to your work. - Teaching & Learning for Beginners Track
9:00 - 9:40 am
Welcome and brief keynote address
9:45 - 10:15 am
Beyond the Classroom: Unlocking the Power of High Impact Practices
Get introduced to High-Impact Practices (HIPs) and learn how they enhance student engagement and success. This session will provide an overview of what HIPs are, why they matter, and how they can be effectively incorporated into academic and co-curricular experiences.10:20 - 10:50 am
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset: Strategies for Student & Instructor Success
Gain a foundational understanding of fixed and growth mindsets and their impact on student learning and success. This session will introduce the key concepts of mindset theory, explore how beliefs about intelligence shape motivation and achievement, and discuss their implications for student development in higher education.10:55 - 11:25 am
Course Design 101: Aligning Teaching & Learning for Student Success
Learn the essentials of course design to create meaningful learning experiences that align teaching strategies, learning outcomes, and assessments. This session will introduce key principles of backward design, emphasizing alignment to support student success and engagement.11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Beyond Tests and Papers: Alternative Classroom Assessment Strategies
Discover innovative assessment strategies that go beyond traditional tests and papers to more authentically measure student learning. This session will explore alternative approaches such as project-based assessments, portfolios, reflective writing, and peer evaluation to enhance engagement and deeper learning.12:05 - 12:35 pm
Pit Stop: Debrief, Discuss, & Refuel
Take a break to reflect, connect, and recharge in this interactive session. Engage in open discussions, share insights from the symposium, and gather fresh ideas to fuel your next steps in teaching, learning, and assessment.12:40 - 1:10 pm
Designing for All: Making Learning Accessible & Engaging
Learn how to create inclusive learning experiences that are accessible and engaging for all students. This session will introduce principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and practical strategies for designing courses that accommodate diverse learning needs while fostering student success.1:15 - 1:45 pm
Lessons from the Learners: What Undergraduate Students Say About Effective Teaching
Gain valuable insights from undergraduate students on what makes teaching truly effective. This session will highlight student perspectives on engagement, feedback, and instructional strategies, offering practical takeaways for enhancing teaching and learning experiences.1:50 - 2:20 pm
Introduction to AI as a Teaching & Learning Tool
Discover how artificial intelligence can enhance teaching and learning in higher education. This session will provide an introductory overview of AI tools, their potential applications in the classroom, and strategies for integrating them to support student engagement and success.2:25 - 3:00 pm
Final Lap: Synthesize & Next Steps
Wrap up the symposium by reflecting on key takeaways and planning actionable next steps. This session will provide an opportunity to synthesize insights, share final thoughts, and leave with a clear roadmap for applying new ideas to your work. - Advanced Teaching & Learning Track
9:00 - 9:40 am
Welcome and brief keynote address
9:45 - 10:15 am
How Certificates and Credentials Enhance Learning and Career Readiness
Discover how certificates and credentials can enhance student learning, validate skills, and improve career readiness. This session will explore the benefits of microcredentials, industry-recognized certifications, and academic certificates, along with strategies for integrating them into educational programs to support student success.10:20 - 10:50 am
The Power of Yet: Using Active Learning to Build Resilient Learners
Discover how the concept of "The Power of Yet" can transform student learning by fostering resilience and persistence. This session will explore active learning strategies that help students embrace challenges, develop a growth mindset, and build the skills needed to navigate setbacks with confidence.10:55 - 11:25 am
Empowering Students Through Transformative Course Design
Explore how intentional course design can create transformative learning experiences that empower students to take ownership of their education. This session will highlight strategies for designing courses that promote engagement, critical thinking, and meaningful connections to real-world applications.11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Grades That Matter: Implementing Alternative Grading Approaches
Explore alternative grading approaches that prioritize meaningful feedback, student growth, and deeper learning. This session will introduce strategies such as specifications grading, contract grading, and ungrading, offering insights into how they can enhance motivation and equity in the classroom.12:05 - 12:35 pm
Pit Stop: Debrief, Discuss, & Refuel
Take a break to reflect, connect, and recharge in this interactive session. Engage in open discussions, share insights from the symposium, and gather fresh ideas to fuel your next steps in teaching, learning, and assessment.12:40 - 1:10 pm
Community-Engaged Learning as an Inclusive Teaching Practice
Discover how community-engaged learning fosters inclusion by connecting students with real-world experiences that enhance their understanding and sense of belonging. This session will explore strategies for integrating community partnerships into coursework to promote equity, engagement, and meaningful learning.1:15 - 1:45 pm
Lessons from the Learners: What Graduate Students Say About Effective Teaching
Hear directly from graduate students about the teaching practices that have the greatest impact on their learning. This session will explore their perspectives on effective instruction, mentorship, and course design, providing valuable insights for enhancing graduate-level teaching.1:50 - 2:20 pm
Leveraging AI to Enhance Course Materials
Explore how artificial intelligence can be used to create dynamic and engaging course materials. This session will introduce AI-powered tools and strategies for developing instructional content, enhancing accessibility, and personalizing learning experiences.2:25 - 3:00 pm
Final Lap: Synthesize & Next Steps
Wrap up the symposium by reflecting on key takeaways and planning actionable next steps. This session will provide an opportunity to synthesize insights, share final thoughts, and leave with a clear roadmap for applying new ideas to your work.
