Past Events
The Center for Teaching and Learning hosts events at the Kent Campus and various Regional Campuses throughout the year.
Most of our events are recorded. Those recordings, along with workshop slides and handouts can be found on our CTL Workshop Channels in video.kent.edu.
- Click here to view recordings of CTL workshops (non-AI related). Recent workshop recordings include:
- Finding the WhY in JoY
- The Why and How of Supporting Student Reading
- Play with Purpose: Designing Joyful Learning Experiences
- Collaboration By Design: Helping Students Work Better Together
- Motivating Students For Meaningful Learning
- Bringing Compassion into the Classroom: How Trauma-Informed Pedagogy Can Inform our Teaching
- Click here to view recordings of CTL AI-related workshops. Recent workshops include:
- Reclaiming Joy: Teaching in the Age of GenAI
- To AI or Not To AI? Making Purposeful Choices for You & Your Class
- AI in Action: Faculty Showcase
- Strategies to Support Responsible Student Use of Gen AI
- The Impact of AI on Student Writing: Critical Considerations for Instructors
- KSU Faculty Reflect on Gen AI
The workshops are organized chronologically. Feel free to email ctl@kent.edu to request one of these workshops for your unit or resources associated with a workshop.
2025-2026 Workshops
Demonstrating Teaching Excellence
- Wednesday September 24th, 12:00 – 1:30pm
- This interactive workshop helps you identify, document, and present what makes your teaching distinctive and effective. You will come away with strategies to translate daily classroom successes and ways of gaining more evidence to support your teaching excellence.
To AI or Not To AI? Making Purposeful Choices for You & Your Class
- Thursday October 16th, 12:00 – 1:30pm
- AI can save time and open doors to new ways of thinking and doing, but when should we use it and when should we turn away? This workshop guides you through intentional decision-making and evaluating AI options, while reflecting on challenges and considering learning outcomes.
Building Classrooms where First Generation Students Belong
- Monday November 3rd, 12:00 – 1:30pm
- Creating communities in our classroom for all students starts with thinking about what first generation students need to know to succeed. This workshop will focus on how to destigmatize resource sharing and self-efficacy for help seeking, while offering strategies for belonging and community building for everyone that will emphasize thriving and belonging.
Motivating Students For Meaningful Learning
- Wednesday November 12th from 12:00 – 1:30pm
- Wanting to move past grades-as-carrots and into learning as its own reward? This workshop will unpack research on motivation and discuss practical strategies that invite students to own their learning journey and build classroom environments where motivation thrives.
Bringing Compassion into the Classroom: How Trauma-Informed Pedagogy Can Inform our Teaching
- January 27, 12 to 1:30pm
- This workshop will detail what trauma is, how it shows up in our classrooms, and how it affects students’ ability to learn. We will discuss concrete strategies that can help all students build resilience and growth.
AI in Action: Faculty Showcase
- Wednesday February 11th, 12:00 – 1:30pm
- Curious how AI can truly support student learning? Join us as faculty share examples of how they’ve integrated AI into their courses to save time, spark student creativity, deepen engagement and enhance critical thinking.
The Great Kent State Teach Off Watch Party
- Friday March 20th, 12:00 – 1:00pm
- Gather for an inspiring watch party where you will watch faculty “bake-up” their best teaching tips in quick 5-minute segments. Vote for your favorites and leave with a recipe book of creative classroom ideas to try. Movie-themed snacks will be provided! You’ll vote in real-time for your favorites who will then compete in the championship at the End of Year Extravaganza.
2024-2025 Workshops
Rekindling the Joy of Teaching
- September 18, 12-1:30 pm
- Join us to connect with educators and rediscover the joy that brought you to teaching in the first place. Through reflection and conversation, we will discuss strategies for rekindling joy in the classroom and finding fulfillment in the work we do.
KSU Faculty Reflect on GenAI (Faculty Panel)
- Thursdays September 26th 11:30
- This panel session features KSU faculty (Professors Jennifer Cunningham, Frank Sansosti, Janet Reed and David Foster) who will share their experiences and perspectives on teaching and learning in the age of AI.
Responding to Unexpected AI Use (with Vanessa Earp)
- Oct. 8, 12-1 pm; Nov. 20, 10-11 am
- Are you struggling with what to do when you believe a student has used AI when it wasn’t authorized? Please join us in this interactive workshop to learn more about strategies for responding to unintended use of AI.
Embracing Neurodiversity in the Classroom [with Amanda Feaster]
- October 24, 12-1:30 pm
- Join us in this workshop to explore neurodiversity and learn practical strategies to support neurodivergent student success. We will discuss how neurodiversity might manifest in your students, effective pedagogical strategies for design and implementation, and supportive resources available for both students and instructors. Join us to create a classroom culture that celebrates and supports all students' unique strengths and needs.
Playful Pedagogy for First Gen Success
- November 4, 12-1:30pm
- Discover how incorporating playful teaching strategies can create an engaging and supportive learning environment for first-generation students. We will explore practical techniques that can help students to build confidence and navigate academic challenges with less fear, while also having fun.
Reflective Teaching: Gathering and Utilizing Information from Students and Yourself
- February 4, 12-1:30 pm
- Have you ever wondered how to improve a course for your students as it’s happening, rather than waiting for SSI results? Have you been unsure of what can be included of “evidence of excellence” in your teaching? This workshop will explore the relationship between self and student reflection in teaching, helping participants to visualize just-in-time improvements based on student feedback as well as documentation (outside of SSIs) to show your good work as an instructor.
Alternative Grading
- February 26, 12-1:30 pm
- In this workshop, we will explore strategies for rethinking how we can approach grading to promote equity, reduce stress, and enhance student learning. We will discuss alternative approaches to grading, such as self-assessment, specifications grading, and contract grading, and consider small changes you can make today to transform your grading and better support student success.
Crafting and Communicating AI Policies for the Classroom
- July 11, 2-3 pm; Aug. 14, 11 am-12 pm
- Are you interested in thinking through your policies regarding AI usage and how to communicate these with students? Join us for a conversation about how to navigate the complexities of AI course policies. We will discuss best practices for creating clear AI policies and strategies for communicating your expectations with students.
Strategies to Support Responsible Student Use of AI
- July 24, 2-3 pm; Sept. 5, 12-1 pm
- Do you want to learn more about guiding students’ decision-making regarding the use of AI tools for learning? Join us for a conversation on how to foster a culture of integrity, critical thinking, and accountability in the use of AI.
The Impact of AI on Student Writing: Critical Considerations for Instructors
- Aug. 6, 11 am- 12 pm
- Generative AI has significantly impacted how instructors create and assess student writing assignments across all fields. Join us to examine the impacts of AI and how we can strategically design writing assignments to support student learning. We will consider strategies for supporting responsible use of AI tools that encourage original thinking and authentic student work.
