Workshops, Symposium, & Events
Join us during the academic year for workshops where our SVSU colleagues share their expertise and experience.
In October, CETL hosts an annual Teaching and Learning Symposium that explores a single theme and showcases innovative teaching and scholarship from SVSU faculty.
Symposium 2026
October 2026 Teaching and Learning Symposium:
Reclaiming Attention
Friday, October 23
Want to share your own approaches? See the Faculty Showcase section below.
Reclaiming Attention is the theme of CETL’s 2026 Symposium, an exploration of the competing pressures that are straining higher education: expanding AI tools, constant digital distraction, student calls for “relevancy,” growing mental fatigue, and renewed interest in digital minimalism and deep work. In this environment, how can we reclaim attention for meaningful teaching? Should we slow down? Redesign? Double down on human presence? Or mindfully lean into digital tools to sharpen focus and relevance? Join us for a day of thoughtful conversation around these questions that will feature:
An Oxford-Style Debate. Colleagues from across disciplines will debate a timely resolution (currently framed around whether SVSU should prioritize slower, more digital-light learning experiences in response to AI-driven acceleration). Audience members will vote before and after the debate.
Workshops. Two workshops facilitated by the 2026/27 Faculty Learning Community members will invite deeper exploration of practical strategies for reclaiming attention:
- Effective Lectures in an Age of Distraction –Methods for designing and delivering lectures that sustain attention, deepen understanding, and compete successfully with digital fragmentation.
- Integrating Career Readiness Without Overload – Approaches to embedding career competencies and real-world relevance into courses in ways that enhance engagement and focus rather than add stress or surface-level “add-ons.”
Faculty Showcase: Multiple Pathways to Reclaiming Attention. Faculty presenters with diverse responses to the attention challenge will be grouped into themed “Areas” (e.g., AI-enhanced learning, digitally-disconnected courses, community-engaged learning, simplified course design) where they will engage in informal conversations with attendees during the Showcase hour. This is not a poster session and requires no formal presentation. If you would like to share your approach at the Showcase, please contact CETL at cetl@svsu.edu! Submit a brief description of your approach and how it connects to the “Reclaiming Attention” theme.
Whether you are concerned about digital distraction, intrigued by AI’s possibilities, committed to slow learning, or seeking new ways to connect coursework to professional pathways, the 2026 CETL Symposium offers space to think carefully and collectively about what deserves our students’ attention. Mark your calendar now and plan to join the conversation!
Workshops
CETL runs workshops on teaching and learning topics throughout the year. Register for our events at the University workshops page, under Academic Affairs.
Want to access materials from previous workshops? They are archived on our Canvas site's workshops page.
2026-2027 Workshops
The workshops list will be updated when the calendar is finalized!
Candy Corn Contest
Oct. 1-31, 8:00 am -4:30 pm in Z231
Come into the CETL office Monday-Friday until October 31st and guess how many pieces of candy corn are in the glass head! Closest three guesses will be announced on Monday, November 3rd.
Artificial Intelligence and the Research Process
Nov. 10, 11:30 am -1:00 pm in Z111
Watch an AI-powered team “hack” a student research assignment and discuss the future of writing and research in your classroom.
Kevin Meyer and Micah DelVecchio (Economics), Kyle Bylin (Library); with commentary from Kim Lacey and Emily Beard-Bohn (English)
Community-Engaged Experiential Learning Project: From Concept, to Funding, to Implementation
Jan. 23, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm in the Community Engagement Center, Gilbertson
Learn how SVSU faculty have turned community partnerships into transformative learning experiences—and how you can fund and implement your own idea.
Kevin Lorentz and Warren Fincher, with faculty and staff panelists
Celebrate the Joy of Teaching
Feb. 13, 10:00 am - 11:30 am in Z223B
Come for the chocolate, stay for the heart—this feel-good event shares inspiring projects and celebrates this year’s teaching award winners.
Faculty Learning Community on Wellbeing; Aneesha Gogineni (Engineering)
Instant Student Feedback Via Phone Tech
March 18, 10:00 am - 11:00 am in Z223B
See how your colleagues use everyday tech to spark interaction, gather input, and adapt teaching in real time—then enjoy and vote for your favorite Girl Scout cookie!
Jennifer Ward and Holly Long (Education)
AI Fluency: What Our Students Should Know About AI and How to Teach It
April 9, 1:00 am - 2:30 pm in Z111
Move beyond “how to use ChatGPT” and explore what true AI fluency looks
like by helping students think critically about how, when, and why to use AI
tools for learning.
Phillip Hanson and Blake Johnson (Art), Kyle Bylin (Library)