Ohio University’s Spotlight on Learning (SoL) Conference is a project of the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Committee and supported by the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CTLA); the Office of Instructional Design (OID); OHIO Libraries; the Office of Information Technology (OIT); and other collaborators.
The SoL Conference brings OHIO faculty, staff and the larger teaching and learning community together to highlight models of teaching excellence by sharing examples of highly effective instructional practice, outlining strong approaches to assessing student learning and evaluating instruction, and providing methods for implementing, investigating, assessing and researching teaching innovation.
2025 Spotlight on Learning Conference
The conference theme, “Teaching to Empower This (and the Next) Generation of Thinkings,” responds to the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Committee's commitment to elevating the experiences of OHIO students and the constantly evolving landscape of higher education related to generative artificial intelligence, scholarship on student learning and shifting instructional contexts.
The conference theme, “Teaching to Empower This (and the Next) Generation of Thinkings,” responds to the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Committee's commitment to highlighting the experiences of OHIO learners and the constantly evolving landscape of higher education related to generative artificial intelligence, scholarship on effective practice and shifting instructional contexts.
The 2025 Spotlight on Learning Conference is tentatively scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025,in Baker Center.
Registration will open and proposals will be accepted towards the end of fall semester 2024.
Tentative 2025 Spotlight on Learning Conference Structure
All times are Eastern unless otherwise specified. Agenda is subject to change. Some sessions will be live streamed and recorded
Thursday, March 20, Baker University Center
- 9 to 9:15 a.m.: Coffee and Registration
- 9:15 to 9:25 a.m.: Welcome and Introductions
- 9:25 to 10:20 a.m.: Spotlight on Students -- Strategies for Supporting Learning, in Their Own Words
- 10:20 to 10:30 a.m.: Break
- 10:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.: Concurrent Sessions 1, 2 and 3
- 12:10 to 1:15 p.m.: Lunch and We-note from CTLA GenAI Faculty Fellows and AI-enhanced Course Redesign Certification Completers
- 11 to 11:30 a.m.: Break and Networking
- 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.: Festival of Teaching (Interactive Tables)
- 2:30 to 3 p.m.: Concluding Remarks and Festival of Teaching Awards
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2025 Spotlight on Learning Conference Proposals
This year, the SoL Conference Planning Committee welcomes proposals for concurrent sessions in three tracks. These sessions are designed to be 20-minutes followed by 10-minute Q&A and focus on instructional strategies presenters have implemented (and assessed) that can be replicated, adopted or adapted by conference participants.
Timestamped Tech: These sessions spotlight timely topics relevant to both teaching and technology, both of which are continually updated. Instructors are encouraged to submit proposals on approaches to or integration of emerging technologies in the classroom, new and/or highly effective methods for supporting students online, or other strategies that use technology to improve student outcomes.
Teaching to Learn (Pillar):Sessions in this track will spotlight pedagogical approaches that enhance student success and engagement. We welcome proposal submissions from instructors that demonstrate commitment to teaching excellence and fostering a supportive environment where faculty and students thrive together.
Teaching Regionally:This track spotlights the unique strengths of Ohio University’s regional campuses, serving both traditional and non-traditional students. Instructors are invited to submit proposals on practical, flexible and accessible teaching strategies that meet the needs of diverse learners and enhance regional campus identity.
Festival of Learning Demonstrations:In addition, instructors to submit proposals outlining interactive demonstration of innovative or highly effective teaching practices for showcasing at a Festival of Teaching. Prizes of $500 (3rd place), $750 (2nd place) and $1,000 (1st place) will be awarded based on SoL participant judging and may be used towards activities that support or engage future students.
Please note: Proposals may be submitted to both a concurrent session and for demonstration at the Festival of Learning.
Spotlight on Learning Conference Committee
SoL planning committee members comprise a faculty lead and faculty representatives from the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Committee, as well as staff members from units supporting faculty development at the university.
2025 SoL Conference Planning Committee
- Jennie Klein, Professor, School of Art and Design, TLA Committee Co-chair
- Melinda Rhodes-DiSalvo, Executive Director, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, Co-chair
- Wendy Adams, Associate Director for Assessment, CTLA
- Jessica Alexander, Faculty Learning Facilitator, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Corey Beck, Associate Professor of Instruction, Chemistry
- Joy Cobb, Technology Education Specialist, Campus Engagement, Office of Information Technology
- Mike Dombroski, Instructional Technologist III, Academic Technology, Office of Information Technology
- Chris Guder, Head of Learning Services, University Libraries
- Jeremy Henkel, Associate Director for Faculty Programming, CTLA
- Candice Morris, Executive Director, Office of Instructional Design
- Kalyn McDonald, Assistant Clinical Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Department of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences
- Lindsey Rudibaugh, Executive Director, Experiential Learning